Page 51 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

“ W hy are we at a boxing match again?” Alice grumbles at my side. Her baby pink skirt matches my hair, and I find it so cute, I can’t wait to see it on our bedroom floor later.

“Uh, men beating the shit out of each other? What could be better? Besides, Skylar gave us the tickets, remember?” I wink as we settle in our seats.

Her hand clenches mine, so I lift it and kiss the back of it as I focus on the ring just as the fighters take their places in opposite corners.

We were late and missed their introductions.

I blame Alice. She looked too fucking good in that skirt, so I got distracted, and we had to test how easy my access was in it.

Easy, if you were wondering. Her panties can attest to that, as they are shoved in my pocket.

I focus on the fight as I grab a handful of popcorn and wash it down with some Coke.

We both could use a night of relaxation after everything we have been through, and what better way to wind down than watching violence?

Besides, we have both been busy recently—her with new mural commissions, which have taken off, and me with finishing up papers.

We desperately needed some fun and a date night.

Men in Nexus gym shirts crowd the back corner, huddling around the legendary up-and-coming fighter, Nikko.

His silk robe is still up, the hood obscuring his face.

His opponent is one of the best, and I know it’s going to be an epic fight.

Both have been waiting for this. I did my research, wanting to understand everything when I came.

The fanfare is loud tonight since it’s an important match, but when the bell rings, they are locked in and focused. Nikko surveys his opponent, only feinting a few punches, but he seems to want to let his opponent tire himself out first.

By the third bell, Nikko is bleeding. His opponent is fast and hits hard.

It’s cool as hell watching their blood spill, and every time, Nikko snaps back around as if he’s waiting for it.

I genuinely have no idea who will win, but the crowd is going crazy, waiting to find out who their new champion is.

The bell rings once more, signaling the end of the round, and Nikko slumps into a seat in the corner as he spits out his mouthguard and Nexus people surge around him.

“Who do you think will win?” she asks casually.

“Who knows? I really enjoy watching people beat the shit out of each other though,” I tease.

She laughs. “Of course you do.”

Alice and I shove more popcorn in our mouths as the prettiest man I have ever seen, draped in jewels and designer clothes, prowls toward the ropes and leans into them. He crooks his finger, and we watch with rapt fascination as a bleeding, sweating Nikko heads his way and crouches.

“End him. We have somewhere to be,” the man says loud enough for me to hear, then he turns away and stalks past us, winking when he catches us watching.

Nikko stares after him, a crooked smile on his face, his eyes alight with possession.

I guess I’m not the only fool in love here.

Just then, we hear screams from outside, and Alice and I share a look. “Not again,” we both grouse.

Nikko rushes past us, his fight forgotten, and we watch him go.