Page 8 of Twisted Lies

Chapter 5

Astrid

I step inside the Pit, and the atmosphere is off. It feels strained. Nothing’s changed since the last time I was here, but something is definitely different. Stepping further into the cavernous space, I scan the spectators for Nova. And is it my imagination, or are people watching me? I catch a few grim expressions as colored lights sweep across the crowd. My shoulders tense, giving me an involuntary warning, and I hurry toward the catwalk. I don’t dare make eye contact with anyone in here.

A bouncer is blocking the bottom step with his body. Taller and wider than any of the fighters— he has to be taking steroids. His jeans are stretched across his thighs, and they aren’t Lycra. He lifts his meaty hand to prevent me from passing, and his fingers are a little too close to my face.

I’m about to smack his hand away, but he looks up and puts it down. I follow his gaze, and Pierce is smirking down on me. Fuck.

“You can go up, miss,” says the big guy, folding his arms at ease.

I mutter at him and then head up, taking two steps at a time. Before I can approach Grinder standing by the rail, Pierce blocks my path. Tonight, he’s dressed down in a fitted sweat jacket and jeans, but everyone here can tell he’s rich. Pierce smells like a fucking candle in a posh mall shop. No one with cred would dare smell like that even if they wanted to it. He towers over me, which I resent more than his ass-kissing smirk.

“Take yourself and your little prick out of my way.” I try to get past him, but Pierce matches my moves. “What the fuck?” I shout into his chest. I’ve had enough. This place is giving me bad vibes, and now this creep’s here.

“We have to talk first,” he replies, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. “You know how you’re always whining about not having a fight? Well, I found the perfect one for you.” Pierce smiles at the screen. “Her name is Athena.”

I swallow and try to put on my best poker face but fail miserably. “I need to talk to Grinder first.”

“What’s the matter, Astrid?” Pierce’s teeth gleam in the purple light. “I thought you were eager to fight.”

I scoff as I stamp my foot. “You know that girl is twice my weight. You know she’ll fuck me up. I’d have to spend the night running away from her and hope she gets winded and passes out. You know that.”

Pierce shrugs. “You have skill and speed. I ought to know.” He rubs his chin. “I wouldn’t match her against you unless I was certain you could fight her.”

Grinder walks up behind Pierce and taps him on the shoulder. Rich boy doesn’t like being interrupted during his lying speech. But Grinder gives no fucks, ignoring the scowl on Pierce’s face. Grinder eyes me instead. If we work together, we could toss Pierce over the rail, but then we’d have to clean up the mess or deal with the cops. His busted head would probably reveal one lonely brain cell between his ears.

“Let me talk to Astrid,” says Grinder, and Pierce eyes him before stepping away. “I’m going to pay for that,” he says to me, “These fucking kids are making my life hell in a furnace.” We turn our backs and face the rail as we talk under our breath. “They want me to fight again.”

My eyes pop, but I keep looking straight ahead. “Is that what you want to do?”

“Nope. How can I be in charge if I’m also in the ring?” Grinder asks, “What happens if I get my ass kicked? But that’s the point. They don’t want me in charge.”

I shake my head. “I don’t like this. I mean, I know they were around before, but they stuck to the office. Since they left the office, it’s getting out of hand.”

Grinder sighs as he rests his forearms on the rail. “People are blaming you.”

“Me?” I shriek, “Why?”

He gives me a meaningful side-eye. “You know them. You go to their school. That wasn’t going to stay a secret for long.”

“Where’s Nova?” I ask, looking around the crowd below us.

“She didn’t tell,” he replies, “and she’s permanently off the schedule unless she agrees to box without a bra.”

I suck in air. “That’s fucked up.”

“So, are you fighting Athena?” he asks. “She’ll pound the shit out of you. And Astrid, people will cheer for her to win.”

I sigh, knowing from the evil looks that he’s telling me the truth. I didn’t do anything, but sometimes that’s worse. “What am I going to do?” I ask softly.

Grinder straightens up. “You’ve been designated a side, and maybe you need to hang out with them for a while.”

I gawk at Grinder’s back as he leaves me standing there alone. I never thought I would have to make this choice. If the Monarchs only knew I don’t have the money. My bastard of a dad has the money, and he’s using nickels and dimes to manipulate me. I’m being used at every turn, and I don’t know where to go.

I eye Pierce, who’s made himself comfortable on the white couch. He’s got a girl on his lap that I don’t recognize. Her long dark hair is pulled into a ponytail, and she has on a pair of satin boxers. They look like the kind men wear on Valentine’s Day. Her stiff nipples are poking against the thin, ribbed material of her white undershirt.

Pierce watches me with a foul look that makes my skin crawl. He places his hand on the girl’s waist and runs it up and down her side. His fingers slip into the wide armholes of her tank, and he squeezes her breast in his hand. She moans, leaning her head back while pushing her chest out.

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