Page 123 of Fighting the Forbidden

“Can I help you?” Ella turns and scowls at the intruder.

He flicks his dark brown gaze over her in an appreciative way. One corner of his mouth curls into a seductive smirk. “You her mama bear or somethin’?”

Ella lifts her chin and glares. Even though she’s probably a foot and a half shorter than him, he holds his hands in the air. “Easy, mama bear. Just wanna talk to your friend.”

“So, talk.” Ella shrugs, then crosses her arms over her chest, making it clear she’ll also be part of the conversation.

“What do you need?” I ask, stepping around the table to stand next to Ella.

Dark Hair refocuses his attention on me. “I want to set up a re-match with your man.”

Recognition slams into me. Rico. The guy who kicked Griff in the head, the night I went to see him fight in Ironworks. “I’m not his manager. Go ask him.” I wave my hand toward Griff who’s weaving through the people crowded around the cage.

Rico follows my line of sight. “He seems busy.”

“Then talk to Ruthless,” Ella says.

But Rico keeps staring at me like she didn’t say a word. “Ruthless is your brother, right?”

“Don’t worry about who she’s related to. She’s just here to watch the fights tonight and help me out,” Ella says. “Talk to my husband. He’ll get your message to Stonewall.”

“Ah, you’re Eraser’s ol’ lady, right?” Rico finally takes his intense gaze off me and shifts it to Ella.

“Yup.”

The buzzer sounds and my brother shouts something into his bullhorn. My heart’s pounding in my ears so loud, I can’t make out the words.

Eraser muscles up to Rico. “We got a problem here?”

“Not at all, bro.” Rico smiles wide. “Just looking to have a conversation with Stonewall.”

“Well, he’s in the opposite direction.” Eraser points toward the cage.

Griff notices the gesture and lifts his chin. His gaze narrows and a frown creases his forehead. He climbs up the side of the cage and says something to Remy, then jumps into the crowd and hurries toward us.

“What’s going on?” Griff inserts himself between Rico and me but reaches back to pat my hip. Eraser moves Ella toward the table.

Griff and Rico talk in low tones I can’t make out. Griff’s hand still rests on my hip. Tired of staring at his back, I curl my fingers around his and step next to him. The corner of Rico’s mouth twitches as I reappear at Griff’s side.

“You should’ve reached out sooner,” Griff says, a low thrum of irritation running through his voice. “I can’t tonight.”

“Why not?” Rico smiles at me. “She was your good luck charm at our last match. I’m sure she’ll bring you luck again.”

As Rico’s gaze lingers on my face, Griff’s body goes completely still—a calm before the storm I’ve seen from him right before he delivers a punch or two to an opponent. Somehow this seems deadlier.

I gather all my courage together and force a confident smile on my face. “I wouldn’t mind seeing my man hand you your ass again.” I link my arm through Griff’s and peer up at him.

His expression remains hostile and focused on Rico. “Not tonight,” he repeats.

“Come on.” Rico bends his knees. “I’ve been working on my striking technique.” In a blur of movement, he throws a hook punch.

I squeal and duck to the side.

Griff catches the fist with one hand. A hard clap of Rico’s knuckles against Griff’s palm. Griff squeezes Rico’s fingers and slowly twists his arm to the right. “I said, not tonight.”

Embarrassed that I shrieked like a little kid. I stand straight again and move slightly behind Griff.

Fear or shock widens Rico’s eyes as he stares at where Griff’s still holding him. Griff lets go, flinging Rico’s hand away in disgust. “You ever pull that shit in my house again, I’ll break your fucking arm.”

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