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“Layla,” I lie, forcing a smile.
“Well,Layla, it’s your lucky night. You get to hang with the big boss. I was just on my way to watch one of the fights.” He drags me along with him, walking across the room until he’s reached another staircase. “Watch your step here.” He says it, but he’s the one dragging me and making it impossible to do so.
I take the steps down with him quickly, glad I don’t trip and fall flat on my face.
The floors are black, the walls painted a muddy brown. The music from the club fades into the background, and I look back.Two guards are following us. The one I pushed is still there, grimacing at me. I snatch my eyes away from him as Rami stops in front of a red door with a black handle.
When he opens the door, I’m relieved to see we’re in a quieter space. A wall of windows is ahead, and I can’t believe my eyes when I see the large fighting ring below. It’s bigger than the MGM Grand Arena down there. Spotlights beam down on the cage, a wild crowd surrounding it. Some of them are gripping the metal gates and rattling them, shouting as two large men inside the ring fight. One of them isveryfamiliar.
I feel my mouth go bone dry as I whisper, “Killian.”
You see him? Which cave? There should be a number on one of the walls.
I look for a number. There’s a large 5 on the wall next to the exit.
Cave five, I think. Take the stairs down. Red door with a black handle. He has two guards standing outside it.
“What will you have?” I turn at the sound of Rami’s voice. He’s closed the door so it’s just us.
“Gold tonic, please.”
“Ah, don’t be a bore.Here.” He pours something from a slim silver bottle into a glass and brings it to me. “Drink this. It’ll loosen ya right up.”
I take it, but I don’t drink it right away, and as if that bothers him, Rami stares at me.
“Drink,” he commands.
I lift the glass to my lips and sip. The liquid is sour and acidic, but I swallow it and do my best not to make a face.
“That’s a good girl.” He smiles, pleased with himself. I avoid rolling my eyes. Men like him make me sick. “You know, I fancy the ones like you.”
“The ones likeme?” I ask, as if confused.
“Believe it or not, I have a weakness for darkies. But shhh…don’t let anyone else find out.” He winks, like it’s our little secret. “Darkies know how to have a good time. Suck a good dick. They take it up the ass very well too, or at least pretend to.”
I take another sip of the drink instead of responding.
Stop drinking. We’re moving in.
I lower the glass and turn to face the window instead. Killian is on top of a man, beating his damn face in, blood splattering onto the mat. The man will probably die if no one stops him.
“Do you run this fight club?” I ask.
“Now what kind of bloody question is that?” Rami laughs. “Of course, I do! I’m Rami, the fucking Ripple Hills Monarch! All this is mine.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah. Make lots of rubies and gold from this little gig, too. Come,” Rami says, taking one of the recliners. He spreads his legs apart then pats his lap. “Why don’t you sit with me?”
I clear my throat. “I’m okay here.”
“Sit down.Now.” He continues a smile, despite the words coming out through gritted teeth. I start to set my drink on a nearby table, but he says, “No, no. Bring that with you. Wouldn’t want it going to waste, would we?”
Carrying it with me, I walk toward him and ease myself onto his lap. As I do, I feel Caz’s gun digging into my waist. “You like that, yeah?”
I fight the urge to vomit. There’s a pinch in my belly, but I focus on the fight. “My money’s on the one doing all the punching.”
“What? That darkie brute?” Rami laughs. “Eh, believe it or not, that fucker is from Blackwater. People are betting a lot of money on him.” Rami grabs one of my locs, twirling it around his fingers. I fight the urge to swat his hand away for touching my hair without permission. “Not only that, but he’s part of themonarch’s inner circle. And we’ve got him. The rubies and gold will be rolling in.”
