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That’s when I bumped into him.
“Watch where you’re goin’—“ The words died on my lips as I caught sight of Nick Rossi leaning against the wall just outside the bathrooms, his arms crossed, a smug look on his face.
I would have recognized him anywhere. Even with the mask on, I could see his features, the set of his mouth, the glint of his veneers. “What the fuck? You weren’t invited.”
“I wasn’t going to miss your engagement party, man,” Nick said. “No matter how rude you were not to invite me.”
I glared at him. “What did you do?” I said, holding back the urge to slice his throat open right then and there.
It was too public. Someone would’ve easily seen me. My fingernails made divots in the skin of my hands.
“Looking for your girl, Callahan?” he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
“What did you do?” I demanded again. The air between us crackled with tension, thick enough to slice through. “Tell me.”
“Or what?” His smirk widened, and I knew then he wouldn’t budge without a fight.
I was more than happy to give him one.
I lunged at him without another word. Our bodies slammed against each other, the sound echoing off the marble walls. Nick was trained, and trained well.
I was relatively good at this, but I was tipsy, tired, thrown off balance by the very fact that Adriana was missing.
He dodged my first swing and landed a solid punch to my jaw, the force of it snapping my head to the side. I tasted blood.
“Come on, Callahan, is that all you’ve got?” he taunted, circling me like a predator.
“Shut up,” I spat, wiping the blood from my lip with the back of my hand. I charged again, but he was ready. His fist met my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I doubled over, gasping for breath.
“Pathetic,” he hissed. “Lucky your girlfriend isn’t here to see you.”
Anger surged through me, hot and blinding. I ignored the pain, the dizziness, and pushed forward. My knuckles connected with his cheek, the impact sending a jolt up my arm.
Nick staggered but recovered quickly, throwing a jab that caught me in the eye. Stars exploded in my vision, and for a moment, I feared I might black out. But I couldn’t give up. Not when Adriana was out there, possibly in danger.
“Where is she?” I demanded between gritted teeth, ducking another one of his punches.
“Who knows?” he replied with a shrug, but his eyes told a different story. At least he looked bruised. That didn’t help me find her but it did a little to ease my nerves.
In any case, I had to end this fast. I couldn’t let him—or anyone else—hurt her. I sidestepped his next attack and with all the strength I could muster, I threw my body into his, tackling him to the ground.
“Tell me where she is!” My voice echoed in the empty hallway as I pinned him beneath me.
I was vaguely aware that people would start looking for us now, that there was every chance we might attract a crowd.
“Get off me, Callahan!”
But I didn’t. I held him there, every muscle in my body tense, ready for whatever came next. Because I would do anything to find her. Anything to keep her safe.
I could feel his muscles tensing under me, ready to throw me off, but desperation lent me strength. I needed answers, and I would get them by any means necessary.
“Adriana,” I growled, the name like a prayer and a curse on my lips.
In that split second of distraction, Nick’s arm whipped around, elbow catching me in the ribs with a sickening crack. Pain seared through me, but it only fueled my resolve. With a swift motion, my hand found the hilt of the blade strapped to my ankle.
“Enough,” I snarled, ripping the blade free and pressing it against his throat.
But Nick was quicker, or maybe luck was just on his side. He turned his head at the last moment, and instead of the kill shot I intended, the blade sliced across his cheek. Blood welled up immediately, a dark crimson line stark against his skin.
