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“You know where I want to go.”
Hunter nodded.
Logan opened the door, and she climbed inside, trying to tuck herself into the far corner, as far away from him as humanly possible.
Don’t be petty.
What? He doesn’t want me to talk.
Don’t be petty. Fight the battles you have a chance of winning.
Still, she didn’t speak. There was no way after his threat she’d give him the satisfaction of winning.
“Are you curious about where we’re going?” Logan asked.
He typed on his cell phone before putting it away.
Glancing over her shoulder, she waited.
“You’re playing that game?”
Again, she didn’t say anything.
“You can talk, you know?”
She pressed her lips together and stared out of the window. As suddenly as her anger appeared, it dissipated. There was nothing there but a deep overwhelming sadness and pain. She didn’t want to think or do anything.
“I know you’re upset.”
She closed her eyes.
“I didn’t want it to end that way,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
Ava turned her head, resting it against the seat and stared. “Do you know what it’s like to have people laugh at you? For people not to believe you?”
“Yes.”
She laughed. “Of course you do. You think I’m the cause of all this, and I’m not.” She released a sigh. “One day I hope you see the truth, I really do. I may even forgive you.” She rested her hand on her stomach. “You’ve pretty much said if I’m pregnant, I won’t be around long enough to even see my baby.”
“It’s not what I meant.”
“It’s what you said.”
“I’m an asshole.”
She smiled. “I don’t like fighting with you. I hate it.”
“I don’t want to fight with you either.” He reached across the seats, taking hold of her hand. “It’s the last thing I want to do. I care about you so much, Ava.”
“You do?” Tears filled her eyes, and she didn’t want to give way to hope.
“I do. It’s what makes everything so hard.”
“You still don’t believe me?”
He didn’t say a word, and she knew she spoke the truth.
“Fine. It’s fine. I understand. Why would you believe me when your best friend has told you the truth, right? I’m not that important. Luke has been with you your whole life. I get it.”
She’d never made friends easily, often preferring her own company. Even back in high school, it had always been that way.
“Let’s move on. I don’t want to dwell on boring factors.”
Ava had noticed they were moving away from the center of the city, going past some run-down warehouses. She noticed cars coming and going. Expensive ones. They completely stood out.
“What is going on?”
“We’re going to have some fun.”
Hunter parked the limo, and Logan climbed out. She didn’t want him to go, and she had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what she saw.
Logan opened her door and held out his hand.
She took it, seeing no point in fighting with him, not now. Not on situations that really didn’t matter right now.
He lifted her out, and she offered him a smile.
There’s a chance he could still believe you.
“How do you like a little blood?” Logan asked.
“I don’t want to see a whole lot of blood. It’s scary.”
Hunter laughed.
“Come, we’ll see.”
Once again, his hand was at her back. They moved toward a secluded entrance, and Hunter typed in the code to open it.
“You own this place?”
“Oh, Ava, one day you will learn, I pretty much own everything.”
The moment the door opened, screaming, crying, and the heavy beat of music filled the air. The lights were dim, and the noise was too much.
She squinted to try to see what was going on.
Logan led her toward a balcony, and glancing down, she saw where the light was coming from.
Two men stood in a circle made out of chalk, surrounded by men and women, screaming and fighting for more.
Money was everywhere, and even though they were up high, she saw the blood spatter.
One of the men looked like he’d already been ten rounds with a bus, and was still going strong. The other, he was on his last legs, and looked ready to drop.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“This is where it really all started for me. This right here got my name noticed. My reputation sealed, and more money than I knew what to do with.”
“Even I’d heard of him, and I had nothing to do with the underground fights. They were beneath my previous boss,” Hunter said.
“Interesting conversation. I’ll be back,” Logan said, leaving her with Hunter as he talked with someone else.
“You’re loyal to Logan now.”
“I am. He saved me when he could have ended my life. He gave me a chance, and I will forever serve him.”
She looked toward Logan. “I wonder if it’ll be him who gets to kill me.”
“Don’t talk about death right now. I’m not interested in killing you.” Hunter looked toward the fight and Logan returned to her side, looking happy. Hunter stepped away, giving them both space.
