Page 211 of Blackwood

Lex told his cousin a little about me. Not the fullmy girlfriend hacked into the family’s Black Bookpart, but enough. Rez thinks my underworld connections start and end with Roman Russo, and we didn’t exactly correct him.

We made a deal. The lineup stays secret until Knox calls their names tomorrow night. No leaks. No whispers. The less anyone knows, the louder the chaos hits. Only my fighters, Cade, Rez, Knox, and I know who’s stepping into that ring.

And Rez is right, this crowd doesn’t want a fair fight. They want carnage wrapped in velvet. Violence with a price tag. They have no idea what’s coming. Let’s just say, tomorrow night’s going to be one hell of a show.

Buzz. Buzz.

“Hey, what’s up?” I answer.

“Just making sure you still want me to do this tomorrow?”

“Yes. We need a solid fight. You and Lex will give the donors the show they’ve been waiting for. The one they’ll be happy to put their money on.”

“You sure? Is he going to be okay with it?”

I roll my eyes. “He’ll be fine. Shocked and totally pissed at both of us, but fine. Look, we need big time fighters. You’ve got the skill, the reputation, and just enough drama to make it interesting. Plus, you can technically be considered aninternational fighterand that’s what Rez wants. So, don’t be late.”

“You want me to hold back?”

I laugh. “No. I want you to fight hard. For real. Give them a show.”

“Understood,” he exhales through his nose. “I won’t disappoint you.”

I hang up, heart already racing as I get in the car to head to Dr. Monroe’s office.

♥♥♥

Dr. Monroe’s Office - Manhattan, New York

Dr. Monroe doesn’t even bother with pleasantries today. He just watches me with that unreadable calm, pen resting against his notepad like he’s waiting for a confession.

“I’m assuming this isn’t about dance,” he says finally.

“Not directly.” I shift in the chair. My thighs stick to the leather.

I hate this room.

“But still a performance,” I mutter.

His brow lifts just slightly. “Go on.”

“There’s a fight. A big one.”

He already knows what that means. He doesn’t ask.

“The Northvale donors will be there,” I continue, voice flat. “All of them. Or enough to make it matter. And this time… I’m part of the show.”

His pen moves once, slow and deliberate. “You’ll be performing? That’s not unusual. Don’t you girls always dance?”

“We do, but this time it’s different. I’m more likeorchestratingthe fights.” I force a breath. “The fighters I picked, they’re brutal. They are all going to make a statement.”

“But you’re worried.”

I nod. “Because Lex doesn’t know who he is fighting against. And when he sees him… he’s going to lose his shit.”

Silence.

“He’s already walking a tightrope,” I whisper. “This might snap whatever thread he’s holding onto.”