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)
“Then what would you call it?” I teased and leaned against the side of my messy desk.
“Pissing me off.”
“Seems like there’s a lot of that going around.”
Bones’ lips shifted as if he was chewing on his words before he exhaled. He messed up the back of his hair as he said, “Look, I’m not good at talking out shit like this. But there’s plenty of reasons we don’t want you in the ring.”
“What are yours?” I challenged. When Bones’ eyes snapped to me, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t want to hear ‘we’ right now, Bones. It’s only me and you in here right now. Tell me why you don’t want me in the ring.” My lips slid into a grin. “And I’ll tell you why you’re wrong.”
At least I finally got the first smile from him since earlier in the day.
He shook his head and threw an arm over the back of the chair. “That cockiness will get you far.”
“I learned from a few of the underground’s best.”
“It’ll also be your downfall.” Bones rubbed his temple. “The cage isn’t like your dad’s strait-laced boxing matches, Ari. The only rule is no weapons, and even that doesn’t stop people from slipping some brass knuckles or rings beneath their hand wraps.”
“I’ve seen enough matches to know—”
“But you haven’t. You’ve seen me and Frankie and River. People who can hang and walk out no problem. You haven’t seen Micky or Fonz or Poppa. And you won’t. ’Cause one of them broke his jaw so many times, he’s gotta drink cheeseburger smoothies for the rest of his life. The other has permanent brain damage, and the last one’s dead.”
I shivered. Bones looked so… haunted. I hadn’t been raised in the scene like he was. I’d only really watched Frankie’s matches then called it a day. I couldn’t imagine what Bones had gone through on his way to the top, the bottom, then back up again. He’d probably lost much more than his reputation over the years.
“And you’re afraid that will happen to me?”
“I’m afraid you’ll become Troy’s newest meal ticket.”
A long exhalation left me. He wasn’t wrong to have that worry. I had the same one. No matter who won, Troy probably wouldn’t let his new favorite fighter go that easily.
“If we get enough money to tell him to fuck off, it could work.”
“Or we’ll be saying hello to Nero.”
A heavy silence weighed down on us. Everyone knew Nero hadn’t cut and run. Troy made sure he wouldn’t bother Bones again, and the cops’ pockets got a little fatter to look the other way.
It could happen to any of us. Someone just needed to hate us enough and make Troy enough money to earn a favor.
Someone like Misty and Jace Perk.
“Then I just have to win.” I held up a finger when Bones tried to interrupt. “Sure, I’m not as well trained as you guys. I know that. But I’m not some amateur. I have training. I’ve kicked a few asses. And with you and Frankie training me over the next few months, I know I can do this.” I sighed and played with the end of my ponytail. “You keep saying you’re worried about me, but I’m worried about you, too. You’re running yourself ragged just to keep the lights on for us, Bones. I don’t want you drinking cheeseburger smoothies for the rest of your life.”
“It does sound like shit.” Bones grimaced. “What’s life without a few burritos and beers?”
“We can buy a whole Mexican restaurant if we win at Heathens Hollow.”
“Name it after my dad and mom.” Bones went quiet, staring at a spot on the wall before he scrubbed at his face with his hand. “Lotto told me Dad would support you on this. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but… I think he’s right.”
“Bones.” I sighed.
I remembered the conversation I had with Cisco Vega before he left for Mexico City like it happened just yesterday. He’d left both Bones and Lotto in my care, and I would do everything in my power not to break that promise. I slid off the desk and slipped over to Bones’ chair and straddled his lap. He set his hands on my hips and pulled me flush against his hard body.
“I won’t let you guys down,” I murmured and raked my fingers through his hair. Bones’ eyes darkened when I pressed my chest against his. “I need your support, Bones. I can’t do this without you in my corner.”
“You make it really hard to say no.” His hands on my hips tightened, shooting delicious pain down my spine. “I’m outnumbered, anyway. Teo thinks it’ll be hot to see you fight.”
“Will it?” I grinned and ground down on his cock. His low grunt made me shiver. “What do you think, Bones? Will it be hot to see us beat the shit out of each other?”