Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“But you have to,” I finished for him. I already knew what he meant without him saying it.
“But I’m going with you. I don’t trust that bastard to offer a fair deal otherwise. Lotto, can you make it happen?”
Lotto clicked around on his phone. “On it.”
“Find me more fights while you’re at it,” Bones said.
“Bones—”
“Unless you have a better idea, I’m doing it.” Bones’ chiseled jaw grew even sharper when he frowned. Clearly, his mind was made up.
“I could hop in the ring myself,” I joked to break the ice. “You know I have a mean roundhouse kick. I could probably take someone down.”
“I don’t fucking think so,” Frankie immediately answered. The intensity of his eyes on me made me shiver. “You’re an owner, not a fighter. You’re not stepping into the ring.”
“Sheesh, calm down, Frankie.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “It was a joke. Do you know what those are?”
“I don’t joke around with your safety, Ari. Don’t even think about it.”
Bones reached out to tap my chin with his fingers. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d clenched my jaw until his touch relaxed my muscles. “Ease up on the frown, Ari. You’re doing what you can for us. Let me do the same for you.”
“We’re not letting Smiley’s go down without a fight.” Lotto looked up from his phone with a slight grin. “Or a few extra fights. Bones is a wanted man.”
“Then let them fucking come. I’m ready.”
“We’ll handle Troy.” Frankie clapped a hand on Bones’ shoulder. “You handle the ring.”
My heart swelled at how each of them loved and protected Smiley’s in their own way. Not just Smiley’s—me, too. There was no one else in this world I could trust with my life. Even if the circumstances were absolute shit, if we all worked together, Smiley’s would make it. I was sure of it.
“Set it up, Lotto.” I stared at the remains of Smiley’s behind Frankie. “Let’s hope Troy is feeling as generous as he was at Heathens Hollow.”
Chapter 6
Frankie
Troy Godwin’s office was just as pompous as the asshole himself.
I had never been here, and after this meeting, I would never come back. It felt like I was in a glass prison, all steel beams, sharp furniture, and shiny awards he’d probably bought with his company’s money. Rich assholes like him always got what they wanted. Based on the shit-eating grin on his tight face, he felt the same now. I bet he’d looked the same since Lotto called to ask for a meeting. Like he knew we’d walked straight into a viper pit.
And the King Viper was hungry.
Troy took a seat on the front edge of his desk, moving his silver name plate so it was clearly visible next to him.
“And you expect me to spot you the cash to fix your gym?”
Ari straightened up in the dark leather chair. She looked absolutely divine. Tight dress that showed off her tattoos, curled hair like starlight, and heels that could stab a man to death. I could barely keep my hands off of her the entire drive here. All I wanted to do was drag her out of this office and get those red lips around my cock. It would be much more fun than selling my soul to the likes of Troy Godwin.
“Obviously, we’d strike a deal with you. We wouldn’t use your hospitality without offering something in return,” Ari answered politely. She always knew how to butter up even the worst of assholes when it came down to it, and that made her even hotter. “Maybe we could strike up a deal?”
“Become partners?” Troy asked.
“Make a deal.” I sat forward in my equally uncomfortable chair. “You give us the money we need to fix our gym, we’ll make you money in return.”
“What are you offering?” He tapped his oak desk with his knuckles. “You made me a pretty penny at Heathens Hollow, so I’ll hear you out. Make it good.”
Ari shifted slightly and glanced at me. We’d discussed what we could offer on the way here—more fights, Bones as a personal fighter for Troy, another Heathens Hollow victory—but we could only settle on one concrete plan.
When I nodded, she lifted her chin and turned back to Troy. “We’ll be your headliners. As you know, after the fight, Bones has a target on his back.”
“I wouldn’t just say it was Bones,” Troy answered. The fuck did that cryptic answer mean? I frowned but couldn’t get a word in before he gestured to Ari. “Go on.”
“You can have another big fight at Heathens Hollow and have Bones be the star of the show. Like a fight ladder. Have people bet on how many matches he’ll go, and have the competition grow stronger every new fighter. With how many people want to take on Bones right now, you’d have sign-ups in no time.”