“Another one tried to corner her,” someone else adds from behind them. “Thought he’d be clever about it. Flirting, touching?—”
“Touching?” I repeat, not liking the direction of this at all.
“Yeah.” A smirk. “Didn’t keep that hand for long.”
More annoying laughter and I have to stop myself from cuttingtheirtongues out.
Realizing I’m not going to get more out of them, I leave. They continue with their lewd jokes, their guffaws echoing through the stalls.
Fuckers! I wouldn’t mind encountering one of those in my next fight and see how they react to beingcornered.
I continue asking my questions, but somewhere along the line the tone shifts. It becomes more cautious…almost afraid.
“She’s been here too long,” a woman mutters when I bring her up. “People at her level don’t stay unless they want something.” In a quiet voice she continues, “It’s said she almostreached one thousand points multiple times, but she always spends them on tokens so she doesn’t have to leave.
“Why? What do you think she wants?” I inquire, thinking I’ve finally gotten somewhere.
She glances at me, then away. “You shouldn’t ask too many questions.”
That’s…ominous. And it makes me all the more interested. What the hell is Lis hiding? And why is she so focused onmyMoe?
I move on. It becomes harder and harder to find people willing to talk about her, some even demanding payment before saying anything.
“Top-tier,” a man says. “Untouchable.”
I keep walking, but the earlier comments stay with me.
The way they talked about her unsettled me—like she was something both coveted and lethal, the kind of temptation that destroyed anyone foolish enough to act on it.
And yet every story they told had one thing in common.
Men.
Every failed attempt involved men who desired her.
My steps slow as an unwelcome thought begins to take shape.
If she has no interest in men… then what does she want?
My jaw tightens. The memory of her intensity toward Moe flashes through my brain.
Is that why she remains here, despite being strong enough to leave this place whenever she wishes?
Because she found something worth staying for? Because she found Moe?MyMoe?
Jealousy slithers through me—cold and ugly in its intensity.
I drag a hand through my hair and turn back toward our room, my pulse beating harder with every step.
Whatever Lis wants—whatever she thinks she sees in Moe—she won’t get it. I don’t care if she’s the strongest in theentireAimaxion. If she dares to mess with my girl, I will find a way to bury her. I don’t care what I have to do, or the sacrifices I have to make.
I just got Moe’s regard—something I’ve been dreaming about for so long. I’m not about to let anything stand in the way of our happiness. Especially not that damned Lis.
My expression hardens as I shove through the crowd.
I was right that there is something suspicious about Lis. Now I just have to convince Moe about it too.
48
