“Rylee, ready to kick some ass?” a man asks, entering the hallway from another door.
“You know it.” She grins and high-fives him.
“Who—”
“No.” She points her finger at him. I smile when she blocks his line of sight. “She’s off limits to you, Mace.”
“You’re no fun,” he grumbles, but walks away.
“He sleeps with random women all the time,” she says, looking over her shoulder. “You don’t need that.” I shake my head as I follow her.
“What are all these rooms?” We pass seven doors before she stops at the eighth.
“Mostly changing rooms for the fighters. Storage, and a bathroom.” She steps inside. “This is my holding room. I’ll change in here and get ready for the fight.”
“How long do we have?” The area is sparse. There is a long table, a bench, and a locker.
“Thirty minutes.” She takes off her shoes. “Don’t be alarmed if I zone out. I have to get in the mindset to make someone bleed.”
“Do your thing.” She opens the locker and pulls out her clothes. “Where is the bathroom? I'd better go before the excitement.”
“Out to the right. Fourth door down. Come right back here.”
I nod and peek my head out. Everything is white. I count the doors as I move. Thankfully, I find the correct one, and it’s cleaner than I thought it would be. All I can picture is sweaty men messing it up. I work my dress over my hips and sit. There aren’t posters of naked women on the walls either. I’ve never been close to a building that holds fighting, at least I don’t think so. I suppose I have misconceptions about the sport, or Heath is a different kind of man, as Rylee claims.
I finish, work the fabric back down, making sure it’s smooth, and wash my hands. Gripping my hair, I run my hand down the gathered strands and open the door. As I take a step, the first door to the left opens. A woman steps out, followed by two gorgeous men. I stop abruptly. She's short, with fluffy blonde hair and amazing legs. Her skirt is short, and the sparkly top is falling off her shoulder. She pats her hair and smiles at me with a tilt of her head.
“Well, you’re new.”
“I am.” I smile, my gaze bouncing between the three of them. The two men move to either side of her, discreetly adjusting their clothing.
“Boyfriends, I don’t think she’s going to hurt me.” She twines her arms through theirs. “I’m Sally.”
“Haven.”
“Are you Rylee’s friend?” she asks.
“How did you know?” I ask.
“I know things,” she hums, and lifts a delicate shoulder. “Plus, I heard you speaking to Rylee.” How? Rylee told me shifters have super hearing. A zap of apprehension goes down my spine as I stare at the huge men. “Heath threatened everyone to leave you alone.”
“Really?” I lean against the wall, twining my arms behind me.
“I love the dress,” she says.
“Thanks. Your shirt is pretty.”
“Aren’t you sweet,” she drawls, and narrows her eyes. “You know.”
“Huh?” I frown.
“You know about Rylee,” she says.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Until I know who she is, and if Rylee knows her, I’m going to protect my friend.
“Smart girl.” She smiles. “Did she tell you about the family?”
“Yes.”
