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“You lost, girlie?” he rumbles.
“N-no.”
His eyebrows shoot up at my shaking tone.
“No,” I say again, more assertive this time. “I’m here for the fight.”
His eyes trail over me again, lingering on my jeans, duffel bag, and coat, buttoned to my chin.
“This isn’t the kind of place someone like you should be caught dead at, girlie.”
Yeah. That’s what Josh always said. Unfortunately, this guy is standing between me and where I need to be.
“I’m here to see Perry.”
His eyes flicker to my face as he blinks with surprise. “That so? Does Perry know you’re here?”
Damn. That was supposed to work. He doesn’t seem very impressed. I bite back a snort. He probably thinks I’m Perry’s girlfriend or something, here to catch him out with another woman.
I try another tack, flashing him a smile and lifting my hands to unbutton the top of my coat. The bouncer clears his throat, shaking his head.
“Not happening, kid. Beat it.”
Crap. Shooting him a venomous look – which he simply smirks at, asshole – I huff and stomp off to the side, pulling out my phone.
LAUREN: Outside. The bouncer won’t let me in.
Perry answers almost immediately.
PERRY: At least someone has sense. I’m half inclined to agree with the man.
LAUREN: You’re going to leave me standing out here without so much as a bus fare?
PERRY: Fucking hell Low. Give me a sec.
A “sec” turns out to be almost ten minutes. The bouncer has his arms crossed, glaring at me. I would think it’s because he assumes I’ll take a run at him, but I’ve caught at least two head shakes over my shoulder, so I think he might be warning people off from approaching me. Despite my annoyance with him, I feel a rush of gratitude that he’s looking out for me.
Finally, the door behind him opens, and Perry’s head pokes out. The windy breeze ruffles his reddish-brown hair, and his eyes lock on me, resignation there.
“Come on then, Low. Get your fucking ass in here.”
The bouncer doesn’t look happy, but he steps aside, letting me pass. He and Perry lock eyes as I step through the doorway.
“She’s your responsibility in there, Perry,” the man grunts. “I said no.”
Perry nods stiffly, his jaw tight. “I know that, Petey. I got my reasons.”
Eyes rake over me again. “They better be fucking good reasons.”
The warehouse is packed and loud. Perry’s fingers close around my upper arm, his eyes warning everyone away, just like the bouncer was outside. His breath washes over my cheek when he leans down to speak with me.
“I’m doing this under protest, Low.”
I shrug, looking around with interest. I get that Perry wanted to keep me away from this crowd – just like Josh, once upon a time – but circumstances have changed.
“I need to speak with Paddy Flynn.”
When I look up at him, Perry’s lips are tight. “Why Flynn? You never said.”
