As I got closer to the back door, the knots in my stomach tightened. I was almost there.
Then…voices. I froze and pressed my back to the wall.
“You’re a fucking asshole, Goodyear,” a deep voice bellowed. “I should have been done with you years ago.”
I knew that voice. It was Bronco. He was another of Goodyear’s fighters. Chuck “Bronco” Jones was in his fifties, past his prime, and constantly injured. He’d once been famous in the ring for shaking off any fighter, but he should have retired years ago. Scuffling sounds followed, and I closed my eyes.Please go away.
“You’re washed up, Bronco. So was your whore.”
Goodyear’s smug, blustering voice made the air in my lungs freeze.
I heard thuds and a grunt. I knew the sound of punches being thrown.
“And what do you know about my kid, Goodyear!”
I sucked in a breath. Bronco’s daughter was Ava-Jane. We’d met here at the fight ring. She was a few years younger than meand stunningly beautiful. Like model gorgeous. She dreamed of walking the catwalk.
What would Goodyear know about Ava-Jane? Like me, she avoided the man.
“You don’t give a fuck about your daughter,” Goodyear snapped. “You’ve used the last of my patience, Jones.”
There was the sound of more punches, followed by a long groan.
“This is punishment for trying to fuck with me,” Goodyear said, voice steady.
“I never fucked with you,” Bronco shouted.
“You’ve been sending me notes, setting my alarm off at home, keying my cars.”
“I never did any of that, you crazy son of a bitch.” A grunt and more thuds. “Gloria never did anything.”
I knew better, but I peered around the corner.
There was Goodyear, in an expensive suit, accompanied by three of his thugs. Two of those men were holding Bronco, slamming punches into the older man’s gut. The third was holding an unconscious woman over his shoulder.
I swallowed a gasp, putting my hand over my mouth. That was Gloria, Bronco’s girlfriend. I recognized her bright-red hair. She always dyed it on a regular schedule and that was her favorite gold sequin jacket. She was Bronco’s age, and loud and saucy.
Quickest way to a man’s heart is a blowjob, Lili. Mark my word.
Her sayings weren’t exactly something to embroider on a pillow, but she’d always been kind to me.
I envy you that hair, Lili. You’re a pretty little thing. Don’t let life chew you up and spit you out.
As I watched, I saw something drip off her dangling hand. I sucked in a sharp breath. Blood.
Oh, no.They’d hurt her. Was she dead?
My stomach pitched and my throat burned. I swallowed, desperately trying not to be sick.
“Enough,” Goodyear ground out. He reached into his jacket.
And pulled out a gun.
I gasped and jerked back.Oh, my God.What should I do?
Bang.
I jolted.
