Page 98

“That’s because I’ve spent all this time trying to drag the truth out of you.”

I scoff, ripping my eyes from hers to the commotion on the stage as a new band gets ready to play. Hopefully something better than the last shitty one.

“Do you know what she’s doing tonight?” Isla asks, capturing my attention once more.

“No,” I grunt.

“She’s being forced to attend her mother’s poncey birthday meal at the house.”

“Right?”

“Jerome is going to keep her entertained.”

“Jerome?” I hiss, my fists curling in my lap as I think about another guy getting close to her. Even if it is a pussy like Jerome. He’s gotta grow some balls at some point, right?

“Yeah, from what I heard, he’s got a bit of a thing for your girl. Maybe Cassandra and Iris are trying to play matchmaker.”

The thought of that alone makes my blood boil. Isla damn well knows it too, which is why she continues to push.

“He’d be a solid choice for her. Loyal, genuine, nice, reliable.”

“Jesus, you make him sound like a fucking dog, I.”

“He’s got pure Greek DNA. And he’s pretty hot. If you like that pretty, I-rub-one-out-over-computer-coding kinda vibe.” My brows lift as I stare at her. She nods, agreeing with her own thoughts. “They’d be a good couple.” A growl rumbles deep in my throat. “Don’t you think?”

Fury begins to boil over in my stomach as jealousy slowly drips like poison through my veins.

“Yeah,” I grit out, the word like acid on my tongue. But I’m unable to argue her point. After all, he is the exact kind of guy I’m sure Evan and Nico have always pictured for their little princess.

Thankfully, my phone buzzes in my pocket, giving me a good excuse not to say any more on that subject.

I pull it out anxiously. I’ve already got multiple messages and at least one photo from Alex that I’ve been ignoring. Chances are each message just contains more evidence that I’m a dickhead. Something I really don’t need to read right now. Especially while I’ve got Isla telling me to my face.

But when the screen lights up and I find a message from an unknown number staring back at me, excitement stirs deep within me.

If this is what I think it is, then I am so fucking in.

Mickey has been desperate to run a night for weeks now. He’s been losing money since the Italians fucked up our chances of sneaking under the radar with our underground fights, so I’ve been expecting something to pop up. And this couldn’t have come at a better time.

I’ve barely got the message open to see the location when my phone starts ringing and Alex’s face appears before me.

Prior to that message, I wouldn’t have answered. But now, I swipe the screen and put my phone to my ear.

“You get it?”

“Yeah, man,” I shout over the music.

“You coming?”

I glance at Isla, who’s watching me curiously.

“We just got a message for a fight,” I tell her.

“Go,” she encourages. “I know you need blood more than you do music and listening to advice from me.”

“Yeah,” I bark. “I’m coming.”

“Stay there, we’ll pick you up in twenty.” He hangs up before I get to say another word. Of course the motherfucker has tracked me to find out where I am.