Page 152 of Crave Me

Two Weeks Later.

A thunderous cacophony engulfed me.

Roars, yells, clapping and sharp whistles.

And unlike the first time I’d stepped foot into this underground fighting circuit, there was no disbelief, amusement, or resistance.

Things had come a long way since then.

In many aspects.

Now it was respect and reverence.

They were cheering for me.

Caleb had done the rounds when we’d arrived twenty minutes ago and ninety-percent of the spectators had put money on me, rather than my opponent.

Even though he was a big, scary-looking bastard.

Even though he was the top enforcer of the Iron Crows Motorcycle Club.

I took him in as he fiddled with his orange and black satin shorts that matched the crest of his club, all that mammoth muscle and black ink covering most of his skin, blond hair brushing his shoulders that matched his long beard.

That usual excitement at the prospect of a fight wasn’t there for me this time.

At first when I hadn’t felt it running up to the night, or when we’d been heading down here, or when I’d stepped into the ring five minutes ago, I’d thought it had just been because I had to throw this fight and take a dive.

It was going to shatter the reputation I’d spent so long building.

But that wasn’t all.

My heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

Everything with Jett, the war, my men… it had tarnished it for me.

There wasn’t that pain there driving me anymore. That rage I’d had take the wheel when I’d had Jett after me, when everything had been so fucked-up, when I’d lost so much.

Things were different now.

While The Jackals mission still appealed to me, that was different because we were out there helping people, helping the city.

This, though? The thrill was gone.

It was unfortunate that my last bout in the underground fighting circuit would be me taking a dive. And one hell of a beating.

As we waited for the ref to come in to start the fight, I looked out at the chain-link fence closest to me, catching sight of Damien who was standing there with his arm draped over Ashley. She was wearing all pink leather—pants and a cropped jacket with a white sequined flowy top beneath, her blonde hair flowing loosely, which Damien was stroking. He’d lost his usual hoodie for a tailored leather jacket and matching pants with a silver metallic tee beneath. His shaggy hair was far less wild than usual and actually styled—definitely Ashley’s work. I knew that from Bastian showing me her Instagram which was filled up with photos of the couple.

Since the lockdown had been lifted by Caspian now the war was won, Damien had been with her pretty much non-stop, Ashley even coming into Haywire every night while he was working. Apparently their first time together had been over his desk—at her insistence. She was certainly something and she was able to complement him so well and balance out his harsher side with her softer one, while also meeting in the middle with other things. Plus, with her being a celebrity, Damien also got to enjoy that aspect that he’d wanted but had never had because Bastian had been the one with that mantle. While Bastian hated it, and he and I were still getting used to the paparazzi attention whenever we went out and about, Damien loved it.

I smiled and tracked my men.

Caleb was there grinning back at me when he caught my eye, giving me an encouraging thumbs-up in that upbeat way of his. Bastian was staring down at his fisted hands shaking his head and definitely not pleased about any of this. At least it was a much more muted reaction to the one he’d had when I’d had to tell him and the guys about the deal I’d made and now had to pay back in order to get a solid lead on the first location Caleb and Bastian had been kidnapped to.

Fortunately, despite his reaction, he respected my abilities and the fact that I was no damsel in distress. Also, Caspian had backed me up, understanding the meaning of honoring a deal.

As for Caspian, he wasn’t with them anymore.

The three of them had been standing there together.

---