Page 148 of Blackwood

I grin.

“Yeah, Mads. We did invite them.” I let that hang, then lean in just a little. “Crazy, right? Turns out The Kings and The Order actually agree on one fucking thing. And that is that my girl and her girls are the sexiest, baddest bitches in both The Row and The Pit.”

She’s fuming. Red in the face and trying not to explode.

In my ear, Knox’s voice cuts through the static.“Allow the rematch, Lex. Let’s put on a show.”

I lean forward, eyes locked on her, voice dropping low enough to make the crowd hush. “Alright, Maddie Rae. You want a rematch?”

She lifts her chin like she’s already won. “Damn right I do.”

I grin and step closer until she has to tilt her head back to keep eye contact.

“Good. Because this time, you’re not just dancing for bragging rights.” I pause, let it hang, let her sweat. “You’re dancing for your spot atmyPit.”

Her mouth parts. The crowd starts to buzz.

I tilt my head, smirk cutting deep. “So I hope you brought backup, princess. Because tonight? I’m the only King here, and I decide who the hell gets to touch my stage.”

I walk back toward my girl, wrap my arm around her waist, and pull her flush against me and kiss her. Full. Possessive. Like every camera flashing is a spotlight I own.

Maddie groans. “That’s not fair!”

Bella breaks the kiss, looks right at her. “Take it or leave it, Maddie. You heard him. Lex is the rep for Hollow Kings tonight.”

Then she turns to me with that fucking look. Smug, daring, and dangerous, like she’s already dragging Maddie’s coffin behind her.

The Barbie brigade starts squawking.

“Alright, alright, Wolves, it looks like we’ve got ourselves a rematch!” The crowd roars as Knox’s voice booms over the speakers. “Here’s how this is going down. Rules of The Row: three rounds.You know the drill.”

He throws a beat drop under his words. Pure showmanship, my bestie.

“Round One… dance. Obviously. Y’all better be ready to move.” Cheers. Screams. “Round Two… oh, we’re micing you bitches up. Hope one of you little Revenants can sing or you’re gonna crash harder than you did at Fight Night.”

I glance at Maddie. She’s gone pale. The bitch looks like someone just unplugged her blow dryer in the middle of Homecoming prep.

Bella is still smiling like the fucking queen she is. Calm. Dangerous. Unbothered. My fucking Queen. The fucking Hollow Queen. That’s it, I need to make a shirt. Where the hell is my man Rico?

Knox leans into the mic, dramatic as hell. “And finally, Round Three… my personal favorite… Lip. Sync. Battle.”

Now the whole pool deck’s screaming. Drinks are flying, I’m pretty sure some bitch just yanked her top off and spun it around like a goddamn lasso.

Maddie stiffens. Ellie’s already bouncing in place. Haley looks like she’s ready to throw glitter bombs. I swear, Bella doesn’t even blink. She just tips her head toward the booth and calls out, “Thanks, Knox.”

She turns her attention back to Maddie and smiles wide. “You sure you still want this?”

Maddie doesn’t answer. She can’t. Because we all already know, she’s already fucking lost.

Knox keeps the energy rolling, voice dripping with hype. “Trifecta. Revenants. You each have exactly two song lengths to pick your set list and get it up to me. Tick-tock, ladies.”

Bella’s already walking back toward Ellie and Haley. Her heels clicking on the pool deck.

Knox pauses, then grins into the mic. “And as for our official judge,” his voice drops just enough to sound lethal. “Bestie. Front and center.”

I glance up, already moving.

Knox continues, “Looks like you do get a chair after all.”