“I promise to grab you,” he says, and I stare at him. How can he make it sound sexual?
“Okay,” I breathe. I startle when a bell sounds.
My mouth drops open as they fly at each other, fists raised. I don’t know any of the technical terms for what they are doing, but it seems that Rylee has the upper hand. She lands most of her punches and avoids being taken to the ground. I lean forward, my hands now gripping Remy’s as I watch in fascination. It’s like a dance. A push and pull. Rylee is magnificent. I startle when a finger touches my face. Lawson presses underneath my chin, closing my mouth. I tilt my head, and he winks at me before turning his attention back to the fighters.
When I turn back, Rylee takes a vicious punch to her eye, and blood drips down her face. I glare at her opponent, hoping she feels my desire for her to die.
“Why isn’t the ref guy stopping the fight?” I ask no one in particular.
“Why would he?” Remy asks.
“Rylee’s bleeding. The blood is going to get in her eye.” My death stare isn’t having any effect.
“It was a fair hit,” he says, laughter in his voice. “The other woman is bleeding too.”
“Good,” I grumble.
“Fierce little thing,” Lawson hums, twirling my hair around his finger. A pull in my stomach happens, and it almost distracts me from the scene in front of me.
The noise in the room rises as Rylee is flipped to her back, and the woman punches hard and repeatedly. Sally is yelling encouragement. My body reacts, and I start to stand. Lawson’s strong hands grip my hips, pulling me back. Remy’s hands tighten on mine, and I grind my teeth.
“Stay still,” Remy commands, and I ignore the tingle it evokes, glaring at him instead.
“I don’t like it,” I grit out.
“That’s obvious,” he drawls. “Trust her. She’s in control.”
I switch my narrowed eyes to the woman on top of my friend. Rylee bucks, and suddenly she's the one on top, her arms swinging. I’d like to take credit as if the woman felt my hatred, but it’s my friend; she's a badass.
“Yes, Rylee,” I yell, and a deep chuckle comes from my right.
“It won’t be long now,” Remy says.
A few seconds later, a bell rings, and Rylee hops to her feet.
“Did she win?” I ask.
“Not yet. That was the first round. There are more,” Lawson says.
“What? She should be the winner.” I turn toward him.
“They decide on the winner at the end,” he says.
“Damn. I have to go through this again?”
“Unfortunately,” he says, but grins.
“Isn’t it great?” Sally says, and I turn. “Uh…I guess you aren’t having fun.”
“How is she going to survive?” I ask dramatically.
“She’s a shifter,” Remy whispers in my ear. “The rounds will be shorter, so the humans in the room don’t notice how fast they heal.” I give him my attention, leaning close.
“Rylee said it’s harder to hurt shifters,” I whisper.
“Very. She won’t have any lasting damage.” He rubs his thumb across my knuckles, and I flinch. “What’s wrong?” He looks at my hand. “What happened?” His grip eases, and he lifts my injured hand.
“It’s nothing.” He narrows his eyes. “I hit something.”
