Page 107 of Blackwood

Chapter 35

CADE

The Pit – Northvale University

580 Days Since Zeke’s Death

Bella’s in the ring. One hand gripped around Lex’s wrist, raising it high in the air declaring him the winner like she’s been living in that ring her whole life. The Pit is losing its mind—screaming, chanting, stomping.

But those two? It’s like none of it exists. Not the blood still on Lex’s jaw. Not Cal groaning on the mat. Not the hundreds of Titans and Wolves going absolutely batshit crazy.

Just Bella and Lex.

Locked in this electric, breathless stare that looks more like foreplay than a post-fight celebration. They’re not smiling. Not talking. Not moving. Just watchingeach other like they’re trying to memorize every scar, every look, every untold truth between them.

I know that look. I’ve feltthat look. And I know that they’re both about ten seconds away from tearing each other’s clothes off in front of all of Northvale before Rez breaks it.

He jogs into the ring, laughing, wild with adrenaline, and throws an arm around Lex’s shoulder. Lex drops his arm from Bella’s grip and leans into his cousin, soaking in the chaos likeit fuels him. The Hollow Kings are loving this moment and Lex totally earned it.

Bella takes a step back. Just one. And then she turns her head, eyes scanning through the blur of people and color until they land on me. Her face softens instantly.

That smile, the one that only ever really belongsto me, pulls at her lips. Like she’s grounding herself, reminding herself I’m here. That we are still us,even with Lex standing half-naked and victorious beside her.

And fuck, if that doesn’t level me. The damn problem is her stupid phone. She handed it to me before the dance. Just tossed it in my lap like it wasn’t a ticking goddamn time bomb.

But the more I read from @LucaWasHere, the more my stomach knots. He’s probably just a creep. A sick one, yeah. Definitely not the first loser to obsess over a girl like Bella. She’s visible, online, gorgeous, and powerful. That draws attention.

But if that wasn’t bad enough, a new message popped up. Not Instagram. A text from some guy namedNate.

NATE:All set for tonight. Be ready by midnight. We’ll be there to pick you up.

I stared at it like it was in a different language. But then another one came in right under it.

NATE:Lineup for tonight: Knox and I in the van. Tex in the sky. And don’t shoot me, but Laing and you are on ground. I’m not comfortable sending you solo if Krolek shows for the buy.

Laing? Krolek? A buy? What the hell is she wrapped up in? My heart is pounding. I don’t even know if I’m more confused, furious, or just fucking worried.

The ring is flooded with Hollow Kings now. Rez is still hyping Lex up, yelling something in Russian as a few more of their boys jump the ropes, hands slapping backs, throwing fists in the air. Celebration mode. The Pit is a madhouse, flashing lights and roaring voices.

In the middle of it all is Lex, shirtless and bloodied, looking like a goddamn gladiator. But he’s not looking at Rez or the chaos surrounding him. He’s looking at her.

Bella steps out of the ring, boots hitting the floor like she’s still in full command of the entire arena. Her eyes find his and he moves toward her instinctively, like gravity. But the Kings grab him and pull him back to the center of the ring.

He jerks his chin, trying to keep her in sight. She gives him the smallest smile and keeps walking. Right to me.

I put her phone in my back pocket right before her body hits mine with no hesitation, arms locking around my neck. I catch her waist and pull her in close as she tips up to kiss me.

“You,” I rasp against her lips, “just made history.”

She grins up at me, breathless, that fire still dancing in those storm-colored eyes. “You like it?”

I laugh, low and full of every ounce of pride I’ve got in me. “Sweetheart, I loved it.”

“Oh yeah?” Bella tilts her head, eyes twinkling under the lights.

“You all were perfect,” I say, brushing her hair off her cheek. “And the shirt? Rico did incredible work with this one.”

“I know. He’s the best.”