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)
“A winner.” Frankie’s frown hadn’t left since River arrived. “To ride the coattails?”
“Come on, Freakshow, you and I both know the underground life doesn’t last very long. Don’t you want to do something bigger?”
“What are you talking about?” Bones asked.
River grinned. “Ever heard of the West Coast Circuit?”
I shook my head. Was he kidding? The West Coast Circuit was a blink-and-you-miss-it dud. Apparently, the cities weren’t fans of the underhanded tactics used to secure teams and funding. It lasted all of three months before fizzling out. Going legit required a lot of red tape and paperwork for very little profit. Not many people were keen to start again.
“That shit’s not going to work,” I argued. “Where are they gonna get the permits? Sponsors? There’s too much legal drama involved. No one is going to restart the Circuit.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. No one’s called you?”
Ari’s nose scrunched up in confusion. She looked between the four of us before shrugging. “I’ve gotten a few unlisted calls, but I thought they were spam.”
“That’s probably them. Good job, sweetheart.” River chuckled.
“Watch it,” Frankie growled. “And explain.”
“The rich fat cats enjoyed our show at Heathens Hollow. Or should I say ‘investors’?” River shook his head. “They want to make it legit. Teams all over the coast fighting for the ultimate prize.”
I raised my brows. “Which is?”
“Vegas.”
Just the one word rendered the room speechless. Vegas. Actual televised fights, primetime boxing matchups, and plenty of bets. Forget the underground bookies at Troy’s place. If we got a cut of Vegas money, Smiley’s would be unstoppable.
Frankie exhaled slowly. “You expect us to believe they got permits in what, three or four days?”
“No but they got the funding. The sponsors. Apparently, that little club downstairs is for more than just a good time.”
River took all of us in, his eyes practically dancing with mischief. I cleared my throat and straightened up slightly. I’d seen the way River watched us last weekend. How he’d fucked his fist, eyes rolling to the back of his head. It was such a fucking sexy sight. I tried to think of something to get the vision out of my mind and stay focused.
“And they want us?” Ari asked. “Why?”
“Like I said, winners. Proven winners. Why do you think I’m here?” River shrugged and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Perk’s doesn’t have what it takes for the Circuit. Jace would get KOed and quit after the first two matches. He barely beat Teo.”
“I can hear you, you know,” Teo called with a glare, “and I take offense to that. Dude ate my ear for a snack.”
“A mighty fine ear,” River answered with a laugh.
“Focus,” Frankie snapped. “What is your point here? Getting us to join the Circuit?”
“Let me try out. I hear you’re looking for a third. With me and Bones on the team, Smiley’s would be damn near unstoppable.”
He had a point. Two of Seattle’s best on the same team? We’d have a real shot at winning the whole damn thing. I glanced at Ari, who chewed on her bottom lip, likely thinking the same thing as all of us. A chance to go legit. Actually legit. No more dingy basements or broken bones that had to be waved away when the doctor asked. No more late nights patching each other up, only to do it again for fame and fortune. No more bending to the whims of people like Troy Godwin.
But would Troy Godwin let us go that easily?
“Three on three?” Frankie asked.
“And an alternate,” River confirmed.
Bones ran a hand down his jaw, massaging a few times before turning to the rest of us. He didn’t have to say anything; his eyes said it all.
“Lotto.” Ari snapped her fingers. “Give him a signup sheet.”
I took a blank sheet from my clipboard and handed it over to him. River took it and glanced over it. Then he looked up, his smile practically blinding. “Good choice.”
“It’s a tryout. That’s it.” Frankie puffed up his chest. “We’ll see what you’ve got. Since you claim to be the best.”
“Second best in case you forgot. Someone here kicked my ass.” River winked at Bones, then folded the paper and handed it back to me. “Do I really need to go through all this? You know who I am. Let me show you what I can do. Right here, right now.”
“If you’re that sure.”
“And when you pick me, we’ll discuss joining the Circuit.” River grinned. “Up for the challenge?”
I looked between Ari, Frankie, and Bones. All three stared back at me with a spark in their eyes that told me everything.
Then Ari smiled at the golden ticket standing in our lobby.
“Smiley’s is always up for a challenge.”