I just needed to get to Cole.
Landon pushed through the crowd, making a path. I tried to keep up on my high heels. We headed toward the corridor, dodging spectators carrying beers and cheering.
“Lili.”
The voice made me stiffen. I turned and saw my father a few feet away.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Landon moved closer, his scowl directed at my dad.
Dad moved closer.
“Step back,” Landon growled.
He glanced at Landon, then at me. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
My eyebrows winged up. “Like you care.”
He huffed out a breath and looked away for a second. “I…I do. I’m sorry?—”
I shook my head. “It’s too little too late, Dad.”
“I thought Anton would take care of you. I thought?—”
“You were saving your own ass. You never thought about me.” I shook my head. “I need to go.”
Landon shouldered between us and tugged me forward. Thankfully, a moment later, we were in the corridor leading to the locker rooms. The sound of the crowd went from earsplitting to a dull roar.
There were other fighters around, talking and laughing. I made a beeline straight to the room I knew Cole used.
The door was ajar. I saw him—still in his boxing shorts, skin gleaming with sweat. He was yanking the wraps off his hands.
As soon as I stepped inside, his head lifted. He looked at me, before flicking a glance at Landon.
Then I heard the door close behind me and I knew Landon was gone.
I crossed the room. I saw the red line of the cut on his shoulder, and some swelling on his cheek along with a smudge of blood. A bruise was already forming on his side, over his ribs.
“Are you all right? I knew Anton wouldn’t fight fair. When I saw that knife?—”
“I’m fine.”
I rolled my eyes and stepped in front of him. I lifted my hand and stroked it over his cheek. I used my thumb to brush away the blood. “Your cut needs to be cleaned.”
He was quiet, his head bowed, his gaze on my face. “Not what I need from you right now, sunshine.”
My heart started hammering. Heat squirmed through my belly.
Then I reached up and yanked his head down to mine.
His lips hit mine, forcing my mouth open. His tongue plunged inside and the wild taste of him hit me hard. I whimpered, and he let out a sound that was part groan, part growl.
His hands gripped my waist, lifting me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist, kissing him like this was the last kiss I’d get. My hands clenched in his hair.
My back hit the cool wall, his big body pinning me there. He used one hand to shove the skirt of my dress up, then I felt his fingers grip the side of my panties.
With one jerk of his wrist, he tore them off me.
