“Seriously, though. Are you sure we can’t leave?” She glances around with that concerned look again, taking in the crowd. “Barrett told me you’ve pissed off some of the gangs. I don’t want you getting wrapped up in that stuff.”
It’s not hard to miss the colours. The different gangs stand out here. But there are also some solo fighters like me.
“It’s just a fight, Lil. I fight and get paid, even if I lose. But the winner takes fifteen grand, and I need that money. I’m not here for the gangs.”
“You may not be here for the gangs…” Lily leans in closer as she speaks. “But given how many eyes are on you, they are here foryou, Asher. Shiv wouldn’t have bothered giving you advice if you were just another fighter.”
I know she’s right, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
“Chill. I’m here to win the cash, and that’s what I need to focus on.”
With her blue eyes back on me, she tilts her head as she studies me.
“Why do you need that money?”
I could lie. Make up some shit about making a life for myself, but I don’t want to lie to Lily. And even though I do want to make a life for myself, I need to fix a few things first.
“I’m paying you back for fixing my bike.” When Lily opens her mouth to protest, I press my finger to her lips and leave it there, effectively keeping her quiet. “Don’t argue with me about it. I’m paying you back, and that’s fucking final.” Her lips slowly spread into a smile behind my finger, so I drop it back to my side. “I also want to have enough money on hand for when I figure out how to get Monty out of my mum’s life. She needs to go to rehab. And not one of the useless local facilities. She needs to go to the best one in the country, which is on the other side of London.”
Lily’s smile falls. “Does she want to get clean?”
I shrug. “I dunno. I have to believe she does. It’s the best chance I can give her to turn her life around. If that doesn’t work, then at least I know I tried.”
Reaching out, Lily gives my bicep a squeeze. “You’re a good man, Asher Scott. I hope one day your mum sees that.”
“I’m notthatgood.” I grin. “In fact, I’d argue that I’m pretty fucking bad.”
Lily laughs. “What you are is a dirty fucker.”
Moving quickly, I press my nose to Lily’s and hiss. “And you fucking love it.”
“Well, isn’t this cosy?”
The deep voice next to us has us pulling back quickly, and we both turn to see a tall blond dude who screams military dressed in civilian clothing.
I fucking glare, but Lily’s tense stance in my peripheral has my attention snapping back to her hard glare.
“AJ, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know… I was just in the neighbourhood.” He fucking smirks, shooting Lily a knowing look, and I get my fucking back up.
“Who the fuck are you?” I snap, stepping between him and Lily.
“Down, boy,” he chuckles, his eyes shooting over my shoulder to my woman. “You’ve trained him well.”
“The fuck!” I snap, about ready to throw the fuck down when Lily’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder before she slowly tugs me back.
“What do you want?” she snaps at him, and he shrugs, looking right at fucking home as he glances around the place, checking out a chick that saunters by.
“Thought I should check in since you weren’t returning any of my messages.” He shrugs, bringing his blue gaze back to Lily. “Your salon didn’t fare well. I guess I was concerned.”
“That wasn’t your work?” she snarls, and I fucking jerk back.
“His work?”
“Not mine. I wouldn’t have made such a mess. Those idiots were amateurs.”
“Hold the fuck up,” I snap, stepping to the side to look between AJ and Lily. “Who the fuck are you?” I snarl at AJ before glaring at Lily. “And why would you think it was his work?”
