Page 56

Joe pointed over at the ring. “Get ready then. You’re up next.”
I cracked my knuckles in anticipation.
Kian put his hand on the small of Rebel’s back, and it took everything in me not to rip it right off. But she didn’t seem to mind.
“Let’s find you someone to stand with,” Kian said. “I’m not leaving you here on the sidelines alone.”
Sometimes other guys from my club were here, but I hadn’t noticed any of their bikes. They were probably all hanging out at the clubhouse, choosing beers and sex over getting their asses kicked.
I didn’t plan on getting my ass kicked. But I was in agreement with Rebel not standing alone. Once I was in that ring, my concentration needed to be fully on my opponent. I couldn’t be watching out for her as well.
Kian jerked his head at another guy. “There. Colt!”
He guided Rebel through the crowd, and I followed close behind, not willing to let her out of my sight.
A younger guy spun around and nodded at Kian in return. The two shook hands when they got close enough.
Colt indicated to the people he was standing with. “Have you met my family? That’s Banjo, and Rafe. And this”—he pulled a dark-haired woman tight beneath his arm—“is Lacey.”
“Nice to meet you,” Lacey said with a warm smile.
Kian held a hand out to her. “Kian. This is Rebel.”
“And that’s Fang, hovering behind me,” Rebel chipped in.
Colt glanced at me. “Good to see you, man. I remember you from back when I used to fight. Haven’t seen you fight for a while. I don’t get out here much anymore now we have a little one at home.”
I didn’t remember him, but I shook his hand and grunted a reply at him.
Lacey stared at Rebel. “Have we met before?” Her eyes widened. “Oh, wait, I know. You work at Psychos, right? My friend, Bliss, owns the place.”
Rebel smiled. “It’s my home away from home. And if you’re a friend of Bliss’s then you’re a friend of mine. Mind if I stand with you guys? Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber here want to kill each other in the ring, and I’d prefer not to get covered with their caveman blood.”
Lacey laughed. “Ah, yes. I know all about that with these three.”
All three guys frowned at her, but she waved them off and linked her arm through Rebel’s. “Come on, I’ll show you where the spatter-free zone is.”
She dragged Rebel off, and Lacey’s guys followed after.
Colt tossed us a glance. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on them. I might not have been fighting lately, but working at the prison keeps me on my toes. I got it.”
Kian and I both nodded.
He eyed me. “Ready? These guys seem just about done.”
We both looked into the ring right as Joe lifted the arm of a man with a bleeding nose, declaring him the winner. He let it drop then called out, “Kian. Fang. You’re up.”
Kian pulled off his T-shirt, dropping it onto the hood of the nearest car.
I shrugged out of my jacket and then my shirt, leaving us both bare chested, in jeans and boots. Not ideal fighting attire, but these fights were really all about boxing, so it didn’t matter too much our legs were restricted by unforgiving denim.
Kian and I both entered the ring, and a cheer went up from the crowd.
“May the best man win,” Kian said with a grin.
The words hit me right in the chest. I wasn’t the best man. The best man wouldn’t have let his girl get hurt on his watch.
Right then and there, I gave up any intention of winning.