Page 102 of Ryder: Shadows and Desires

“You seem confident about that assessment.”

“I used to be his girlfriend. I know when he wants someone,” I hiss, my eyes wide as I stare out the window.

Fine, if Joey doesn’t want me, then whatever. But he didn’t have to go and fuck his other sports therapist and look at her like she’s the best thing since the internet was invented. I’m still bitter that he won’t give me another chance. He was myeverything.

“They could just be flirting, you know,” Legends suggests, clearing his throat and taking a large drink from the straw of his cup. “But why does it matter?”

I take another bite, looking over this legend that I’m now working with. He has one of those buzzed mohawks, the sides of his head freshly shaven. I hover my sandwich over the wrapper as copious amounts of red peppers fall out. After chewing, I say, “Because you want to win, right?”

“Obviously,” he replies, looking at me with those green eyes of his.

I only have a thing for men with blue eyes.

I watch a woman lead her kids to a car. If my brother hadn’t been such a jackass, that could be me with little Ryder babies. The thought that he is with another… I can’t stand it.I can’t stand it.

“If they’re a solid couple, it might work in his favor, honestly. He’d have that support system built right in, and she’ll definitely know his body. But, to our advantage, they are brand new. It can go south real quick. And I know what makes him tick, physically and emotionally. Ryder, honestly, is a major threat to anyone in Warlord. Including you… but we can make sure he losesoutsidethe ring.”

“You play dirty, woman.”

I roll my eyes at Legends. “Tell me I’m not good at what I do.”

“I won’t argue with you,” he says, looking at me as if he can’t tell if he’s happy or worried.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. You’re literally the biggest shit-talker in the sport.”

“Yeah, but are you safe to be around?Ilike being the asshole. Not sure how I feel about it coming from others. It’s risky, honestly.”

I smirk. “This is personal because Ryder broke my heart. You’re fine. I want you to win because that would be an even bigger blow to him. And also good for my career.”

Legends, while hedoeshave his code of ethics when in the ring, is a scrappy player, like me. It’s one of the things that he’s known for. He’ll throw whatever verbal punch is required to get under someone’s skin.

I pull out another phone, one with a lock screen of a blonde woman with Julie’s brother. “I found some good stuff on here that will get to that little sports therapist of his. Can’t believe she didn’t have a code to get in… anyway, the stuff on here?” I whistle. “Julie won’t like it. And I know what will make Ryder break. I’ll make sure to strike just at the right time. Maybe give them a month or more to be all cutesy with each other, then throw them in the fire. Meanwhile, when you fight him, I know all his weaknesses. Especially that shoulder of his. It’s only a matter of time before you two are pitted against one another.”

He snickers, looking me over like I am a dangerous animal he’s playing with, but he also can’t say no. “You really think it’ll work?”

“The way she looks at him, she’s a goner for Joey. Which will make it easy to make her angry. Especially with what’s on this woman’s phone. If I can get under her skin right before a big match, it’ll throw Joey off, too.”

“And if she doesn’t give a shit?”

“Oh, I will take care of that. Joey has things in his closet that willseriouslybreak his focus. I’ll go there, if I have to.”

Before I bring that out, though, my first target will be Miss Julie Stevens.