Page 115 of Tangled in Knots

“Are you going into the stands?” he asks, worriedly looking around at how full the seats are.

“We’re taking her up to the box,” Duncan explains. “Adira needs a bit of a break from all of the scents.”

“I can absolutely understand that,” Tommy says, relaxing a bit. “Go right on up. It can be overwhelming. There’s no harm in taking a break from it.”

“Thank you,” I murmur. “It was very nice to meet you.”

As we move away, Callum ducks his head, so his lips are nearer to my ear. “Tommy is originally from Chicago, and probably isn’t as embroiled in our gossip, Adira,” he murmurs. “It’s been a good experiment to see who recognizes your name or didn’t.”

“Is showing me off one of the reasons you asked me to come?” I ask him. “You could have just told me.”

“It wasn’t until we’d already arrived, and it occurred to me,” Duncan grunts. “I wouldn’t have lied about something like that. It’s quite a bit of spotlight to shine down on you without a heads up, Short Stuff.”

“You did amazing, though. Let’s go take a well-earned break and watch people beat the shit out of each other,” Callum suggests.

Smirking, I agree as I climb the stairs to the box. It’s well ventilated and not overly warm once we’re inside. We are also the only ones here.

“Welcome to Amateur Fight Night,” an MC calls out as he climbs into the ring with a microphone. “There’s no holds barred here, and they’ll fight until one of them is knocked out. Let’s see what they can do!”

My lips are parted as I listen to him, and I wiggle to get comfortable. I’m excited. Maybe a change of pace is exactly what I need.

CHAPTER 25

ADIRA

The fights are bloodthirsty, and I find myself jumping and yelling.

“Damn, Short Stuff. We are definitely bringing you to more of these,” Duncan says with a laugh.

Each fight, I choose a fighter to cheer for. Funny enough, I tend to find myself drawn to the underdog.

“Hush, oh crap! Come on, get up!” I yell after the fighter I’m cheering for is hit hard under his chin.

Ugh, the poor guy isn’t getting up.

“I think he’s done,” Callum says, amused at my antics. I’ve jostled both of them with my jumping around, but neither of the brothers complain. “You’re adorable, and the box smells amazing.”

“Hush,” I hiss, flushing. While the fans keep scents from flowing in, it does nothing to help the fact that I’m perfuming. “Ignore me.”

“Can’t,” Callum says. “You’re too much fun. Look, they’re dragging the poor guy away.”

“I really thought he’d get farther,” I pout.

“All of your choices have lost, Adira,” Duncan says smugly. “We should place bets on the next one.”

“I don’t want to spend money if I’m just going to lose,” I complain. “I work too hard for it.”

“You heard Corbin,” Callum whispers in my ear. “Maybe you won’t have to soon.”

“Wishes and prayers don’t pay for things,” I grumble.

“You there, I’d like to place a bet,” Duncan calls out to one of the men who is lurking in the stands.

Striding over to us, the bookie pulls out a notepad with a nod. “Who would you like to bet on?” he asks.

“Place a hundred on one of the fighters and a hundred dollars on the other in Adira and my names,” Duncan says. “I don’t need to know who they are.”

“Seriously?” I groan. This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen him do. “You don’t even want to know who is fighting?”

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