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My hands start to shake, not liking the look of this, but an encouraging smile from Lex has me pushing the door wide and stepping out into the street. There’s a slight chill in the air, but at least it’s not raining, so that’s gotta be a positive, right? Lex loops her arm through mine as if we’re best friends, and she pulls me along toward the abandoned building.
I swallow hard, certain I’m about to be raped and murdered, but I put one foot in front of the other until we’re walking through the back entrance of the building. It looks like some kind of old paper mill, dusty and dirty with not a soul in sight, but I hear the familiar sound of heavy bass rattling beneath my feet.
“What the hell is this place?” I ask, slightly freaked out.
“Chill out,” Lex sings with a big grin, excitement brimming in her eyes. “You’re going to love it.”
My brows furrow as Lex and Eddie lead me through the building to a door, and as they open it, loud music flows through. My eyes widen hearing the sound of a raging party below, men chanting, booing, and screaming.
Eddie barges out in front of me and Lex before skipping down a small staircase and into some kind of pit below, and as my heart starts to race, I follow him in.
The room is swarming with people, and my jaw drops as I take it all in. There’s a bar set up with tables and chairs, but that isn’t what has my attention. It’s the big boxing ring in the center with two guys going at it and blood dripping from a nasty cut above one of their eyes.
“Holy shit,” I whisper to myself.
“Tell me about it,” Lex grins. “Isn’t it awesome?”
Sure, it’s awesome, but it’s also fucked up. I could get in so much trouble if I get caught here. Well, actually, I don’t really have anyone to get me in trouble anymore, except for maybe Micky. But he would just say he’s disappointed in me and give me the look.
I hold onto Lex’s arm a little tighter as I realize this place is filled with the kind of people who wouldn’t hesitate to try and get me alone. “Oh, look,” Lex squeals in my ear, pulling my attention away from the people around us. “He’s here.”
“Who’s here?” I yell back, trying to be heard over the music.
Lex glances back at me, a wide grin across her face. “Your date.”
“My what?” I ask, horrified, more than ready to cut and run.
Lex lets go of my arm and races toward a guy who looks eerily similar to the guy who tried to get a little too friendly on that storefront. He looks me up and down, and I see the interest in his eyes as Lex drags him back toward me and Eddie. “You can thank me later,” Lex says as though this loser is some kind of big prize.
“Hey,” the guy says with hooded eyes. “I’m Chris.”
“Um, hi,” I say, reluctantly, trying not to let my disgust show. After all, this guy hasn’t done anything to deserve my hostility. At least, not yet, but the night is still young. “I’m Charli.”
Chris steps up beside me and throws his heavy arm over my shoulder while dipping his head toward me, the stench of rum wafting off him. “Let’s find a seat, babe,” he says in my ear right before running his nose up the length of my neck and sniffing me.
Ugh. I slide out from under his arm and cringe at the feel of his damp nose on my skin. What a fucking creep.
I turn to leave, but the next fight is announced and the crowd pushes toward the ring, giving me no chance to escape. With no choice but to follow the crowd, I move closer and find a space near the front with a perfect view. Lex shuffles in beside me with Eddie hugging her from behind, a drink in his hand despite the fact he’s supposed to be driving me home.
Chris attempts to move in behind me just as Eddie is doing with Lex, but I push him off and fix him with a scathing glare. “Touch me one more time and I’ll beat you harder than these assholes in the ring,” I warn him. He holds his hands up in surrender, but I see the challenge in his eyes. He isn’t finished for the night. Not even close.
A voice booms over the speakers, announcing the fighters as the crowd roars in anticipation. The first guy comes out in nothing but a pair of shorts, and he looks angry. The look is only emphasized by the scar that leads from his right eye straight down to his lip. The crowd cheers for him, but when the announcer brings out his opponent, the crowd goes nuts. Money exchanges hands, and I watch in fascination as terms are settled and bets are made. People yell obscenities at the fighters as they stare each other down, and all I can do is watch.
