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“Don’t wait up, Lorenzo,” I say, still gazing at Chiara. “There’s a lot happening tonight.”
“I already checked on the itinerary. The pre-show. The fights. The afterparty.”
Lorenzo will have mapped out every minute that she’s out of his sight. “Did you make those extra arrangements I asked about?”
He’s staring at Chiara like he wants to devour her. “Of course. You two have fun.”
Oh, we will. It’s a beautiful clear night as we drive through the streets of Coldlake. We need to head through the city and into the east. The fight is being held in my territory.
“I’m surprised Lorenzo didn’t insist that he comes, too.”
“He won’t want to piss Zagreus off by attending one of Lasher’s fights. Lasher used to run Strife with the others.”
“I heard. It’s sad that they all had a falling out, and it makes me even happier that you and Lorenzo are getting along.”
“Our little spat is nothing like what went down between those men. You don’t have to worry about me and Lorenzo,bambina.”
She gazes out the window at a passing billboard. It’s for a boxing match, not a cage fight. “How come I never heard of Lasher before I met you? You made it sound like he’s famous. All the boxing stars get billboards before their big fights so why doesn’t he?”
“Cage fighting is illegal in Coldlake. Mayor Romano claims it’s too dangerous.”
“Is it?”
I consider this. “Many sports are just as high contact. Boxing. Football. Cage fighting has a reputation for being violent and lawless, but there are rules.” I shoot a look at her. “Besides, it’s entertaining and unlike any other sport. You’ll see.”
Chiara’s never been squeamish and she’s been growing more ballsy. I think she might get a kick out of tonight’s fight.
The venue is an indoor basketball stadium with an octagonal cage on the court and more seating added ringside. Chiara and I have front-row seats to the fight, and as we sit down, lights flash overhead and the music pounds. Everyone in the crowd is hyped up.
I nuzzle the side of Chiara’s face, sliding the blade of my nose against her cheek before kissing her temple.
“Cassius, everyone’s looking at us.” Chiara smiles as her gaze darts around at the spectators. Hundreds of people are crammed into the gymnasium to watch the fight. Lasher, my prizefighter, versus the comeback champion Peril. It’s a powerful drawcard, despite being illegal. No one tells us how to have fun in Coldlake.
“Everyone’s looking atyou,” I correct her and palm her belly, fingers splayed. My son is inside Chiara—or my daughter. Tiny and vulnerable. As I glance up, I see that dozens of heads are turned in our direction, marveling at the sight of Cassius Ferragamo with his arms around a woman. Cassius Ferragamo, smiling. And is that the mayor’s daughter?
I kiss Chiara again and keep my arm around her waist as I feel the gossip buzzing around us. Chiara Romano, beautiful and untouchable, so recently engaged to Salvatore Fiore and now in the arms of another member of the Coldlake Syndicate, and at an illegal fight.
Vindictive delight spreads through me as I kiss the mayor’s daughter. I can’t wait until the news of this gets back to him.
17
Chiara
Awoman drops into the seat on my other side and nods to Cassius. “Good evening, Mr. Ferragamo.”
Cassius nods to her. “Good evening. Alecta, this is Chiara Romano.”
The woman smiles at me. She’s a few years older than me and has long, dark curly hair with purple streaks, and she’s wearing tight jeans and a black tank top. Her nails are painted purple and there are black bands tattooed around her fingers. “Nice to meet you, Miss Romano.”
I glance between the woman and Cassius, wondering if this is the extra arrangement that Lorenzo mentioned. “Alecta, are you my bodyguard?”
“I work down at Strife. Mr. Scava requested a woman tonight as Mr. Ferragamo can’t accompany you everywhere, like the ladies’ room.” She smiles wider. “But you probably don’t need me. I heard you can handle yourself.”
“Are you a bounty hunter? I’ve always been curious about Strife’s bounty hunters. It sounds like such a cool job.”
She laughs. “Excuse me, I heard you pulled a gun out of a designer purse and shot dead the leader of the Geaks. What’s cooler than that? Also, you’ve got Acid calling youyour highnessand bragging about how you personally saved his life. Twice.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling. “That sounds like Acid.”
