Page 21 of Strike Zone

“Yeah, it’s a crapshoot all around.”

“Hey, sis, I’m sorry about today. I know how hard you’ve been working toward this.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want me to change our flights home? We can fly back to New York in a couple of hours.”

“No point in wasting a weekend in Vegas, so let’s have some fun. You know what they say about Sin City, little sis? When in Rome and all that.”

“Why do I think we’re going to regret this in the morning?”

“Because we most definitely will.”

* * *

Brooke and I found a few bars outside the strip that were planning to show my fight tonight and covered all their expenses for lost income. I may not be set for life yet, but I’m more than comfortable, and it’s nice to turn this weekend around.

I wanted to visit a few incognito, but Gray insisted on the bodyguards coming with me. The owners were all so grateful, and it was awesome to give back a little of the support places like that have shown me in the past. Brooke tagged along, leaving the boys to fend for themselves for the day, but when we hit up the last bar, it had such a cool vibe, we decided to rent it out for the night. I told the owner to allow a crowd of no more than fifty at a time, with a VIP section for my team and me.

A thrill courses through me as Brooke and I step into the lobby. Anders and Linc are waiting at the bar with the same redheaded bartender I saw him hitting on last night. Anders can’t take his eyes off his wife and rightly so. She’s a knockout tonight. On the way back from the bar, she convinced me to go all out. We stepped it up a gear with killer heels and outfits that could make grown men beg. By the goofy grin on Anders’ face, he’s ready to drop to his knees for her.

As we strut across the casino floor to where they’re sitting, I love the sight of Linc picking his jaw up off the floor at the sight of me. After last night, he has the upper hand—he’s seen me naked—and I plan to take it back tonight.

“Wow.” He runs his hand through his hair, and a jolt of desire goes straight to my core, remembering what it felt like to fist my hands in his mussed-up locks and ride his face. “You look…”

“Pick your jaw up off the floor, Linc.” I take great delight in grabbing his drink and downing it while he devours me with his greedy stare. “Are we blowing this popsicle stand or what? I’ve been sober for far too long. I plan to get really drunk and maybe even a little slutty tonight.”

“Don’t look at me, southpaw. My cock is off limits to mean girls.”

“Bullshit.” I link my arm with Brooke’s and prise her away from Anders. “Come on, sis, time to get drunk.”

I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away, burning me up like a fever. I’m going to enjoy shamelessly flirting with anyone but Linc tonight. I don’t need his cock to get off. There are plenty of hot men in Vegas who’ll be more than happy for a bit of rough and tumble with a jilted UFC champion.

By the time we reach the bar, there’s a cue wrapping around the block to get in. Word must have spread that there’s a party going on. I’m used to crowds cheering from afar in the arena, but it’s a little intimidating to have people chanting my name and reaching for me when I’m within grasp.

“Dee Lex! Dee Lex! Dee Lex!”

Phones are pointed at me from every angle, but one guy manages to catch hold of my arm and pull me toward him for a selfie. Before I get a chance to snap his grubby little paw, Linc grabs his wrist and twists his arm off me and up his back.

“Take your fucking hands off her.”

“I just want a picture, man. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“And I won’t mean anything by it when I knock your teeth out.”

My bodyguards are quick to step in and herd me inside, the others hot on my heels. When Linc appears, I go toe to toe with him. “I didn’t need your help. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“Then why didn’t you just let me handle it? You’re not my boyfriend.”

“Thank fuck for that. What can I say, I’m a naturally chivalrous guy. When I see a dickhead laying a hand on a woman, I don’t hesitate. Sorry if that offends your feminist belief system.”

“Really? You say feminist like it’s a dirty word.”

“Not at all. I’m all about burning bras and women’s rights. You’d know that if you took a minute to do anything other than assume the worst of me.”

Brooke takes me by the hand. “Stop being so combative all the time. Just say thanks.”

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