Treating my girl like the princess she is.
“How much food do you think Rocco has in his fridge?”
Demi shrugs, unsure where I’m going with this but always willing to play with fire when it comes to me. “There’s only one way to find out.”
With a grin tugging her lips at one side, she tosses a pair of jeans from the overflowing closet into my chest, slips a cashmere long-sleeve dress over her head, then slides her hand into mine.
She leads our crusade through Rocco’s house this time around. We’re on the hunt for food, but if the current surging through the air is anything to go by, our night could end with more than a stomachache.
7
Demi
The past six hours have been rough. Sloane hasn’t left my thoughts for a second. I’m more than mindful it doesn’t take much to split skin, but it is the scars not seen by the naked eye that I’m worried about the most. She knows nothing about my family—not a single thing—because I kept her sheltered from it. Was it stupid of me to do? Probably, but my uncle didn’t give me much choice. If I paraded Sloane in front of him, I would have put her at risk.
Although I could have explained how dangerous he is, I would have struggled to do that in a legitimate way. If you’re not born into this world, you would never believe how crazy it is without proof. Sloane’s father adores her. He spoils her, promises her the world will be her oyster, and has her convinced women are equal in all corners of the globe.
In my uncle’s industry that’s far from the truth.
Well, it was until Maddox arrived on the scene.
He is the solereason the past six hours have been so tiring. My best friend—my only friend—is at the mercy of my ruthless uncle. Rules state she won’t be hurt if Maddox arrives at the stipulated time tonight, which meant I was forced to pick between two horrifying choices. I either let my boyfriend face a murderer in the ring for the second time with the hope he would make it out of the carnage with only additional nightmares or leave Sloane defenseless.
The latter would alter who I am in an instant, making me not only unworthy of love but also incapable of expressing it. You can’t claim to love someone, then leave them right when they need you the most. It isn’t possible. That’s why I’m clutching Maddox’s hand for dear life, praying my instincts haven’t led me astray today. Maddox wants me to have faith in his plan, and my job as his girlfriend is to do that. I trust him with my life, so it’s only fair I also trust him with Sloane’s as well.
“I need you to promise me something, Demi,” Maddox murmurs from the driver’s seat of our borrowed ride. “And no matter what happens, I need you to swear you’ll follow through with your pledge.”
My lips quiver when I reply, “You’re scaring me.” Not as much as the panic in his eyes, but it’s there, nonetheless. “But I promise. Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
Maddox’s exhale ruffles my hair when it bounces off the windshield. “If I go down…” I try to interrupt him, but he squeezes my hand, denying me the opportunity. “IfI lose… I need you to run.”
To the boxing ring to help him?
To the authorities to call in for backup?
I can do either of those things, but if he’s asking what I think he’s asking, Icannotdo that. I can’t leave him when he needs me the most. I’d never forgive myself. The guilt would have me walking straight off a cliff like my father did.
I never understood why he left the way he did until my memories of Kaylee resurfaced. I’m struggling over the loss of a child I never met. My father’s pain must have been unbearable. He just put on a brave front because he didn’t know any different. Men are groomed to be emotionless in general, so you can only imagine how bad it is for the ones trapped in my uncle’s realm.
My focus shifts back to the present when Maddox begs, “I need you to promise me, Demi. If I don’t have a guarantee you will be safe no matter what, none of thiswill mean diddlysquat.” He doesn’t just mean our relationship, he means his life as a whole. That’s how detrimental my safety is to him. He places it above his own life.
“You will win,” I mumble through a sniffle. “I refuse to consider any other option.”
He lowers his pressure on the gas pedal before straying his eyes to mine. “That’s where the second half of my negotiation comes in.” He licks his lips, hopeful a bit of moisture will help deliver his next sentence. “I don’t want you scared of me—”
“I willneverbe scared of you.”
He continues talking as if I never interrupted him. “I can’t guarantee that will be the case if you witness me kill a man.” Although I appreciate he’s at least considering the possibility he will win tonight, I’m barely given a chance to relish it. “So, I’m asking for you to stay in the car.”
“No,” I answer with a brisk shake of my head. “Rocco said you need me there.”
“IfDimitri shows up.” Maddox’s tone advises he thinks the odds of that occurring are extremely low. I can’t blame his lack of optimism. Despite us bombarding his cell phone the past hour, we haven’t heard from Rocco since he left his mega-mansion earlier today. “The parking lot is the prime location for you to spot his arrival.Ifhe shows up, then you can come in, but only then, Demi. Not a moment before.”
“No,” I repeat, my head still shaking.
He squeezes my hand again, hating the disappointment in my tone but too determined to acknowledge it. “You promised.”
“That was before I knew what you were asking. You are fighting forme. You’re putting your life on the line forme.But you’re denyingmethe opportunity to support you through this.Ihelped you find Igor’s weak spot.Icoached you through his crushing—”
