Page 116 of Tangled in Knots

“Nope,” Duncan says, peeling off two hundred dollar bills and handing it over. The bookie takes the money and our names with a shrug and moves on.

“Last chance to place bets!” he crows.

“This feels like a silly way to spend money, but at least it isn’t mine,” I mutter, turning to face the ring.

The ring is sunken into the ground so it can easily be covered when there isn’t a fight happening. Duncan told me it becomes a dance floor on the weekend. This place is really intriguing, and I’m having more fun than I expected.

Since Duncan, Callum, and I walked around to talk to people, the mystery of who I am isn’t as interesting. We’re being left alone, which is how I like it.

“It’s not, now choose your fighter, Adira,” Duncan grunts as two large alphas climb into the ring.

One of them moves in a way that feels familiar, but I can’t see his face yet. There’s a few tattoos on his arms, yet I’m high enough that I also can’t get a good look at them.

“Why do I feel as if I know who that is?” I ask absently, leaning forward.

“Oh fuck,” Callum whispers as the announcer begins to speak.

“We have someone new to fight for us againsttheHawk Jones,” he begins. “Kane Dresmond is fighting tonight to fill in a spot after the other fighter broke his leg in a freak accident. Let’s see what he can do!”

My lips part as I shiver. I feel as if I’ve just been dunked in a large bucket of water. I’m having a hard time believing the universe isn’t enjoying fucking me over.

“Do you want to go?” Callum asks, leaning so he’s inside the periphery of my vision.

Breathing deeply, I force myself to hold onto what’s real. Dizziness is threatening my stability, and I need something to ground myself. Callum’s scent of coconut and oak fills my lungs, helping me to keep from spinning out.

“No,” I whisper, my gaze trained on Kane and Hawk.

Maybe Hawk will beat the hell out of him.It’s a wishful thought, something I doubt will happen, because no matter how well prepared the other fighter is, Kane is strong and insane. There’s a special kind of strength gained when you don’t give a flying fuck.

Kane’s gaze happens to look out into the crowd, landing on me with a wide smile. I’m positive he didn’t know I was in the box or here at all before this, but he touches his chest and then points at me with a chuckle.

“Well, now he’s seen you, so leaving makes it look as if you’re running away,” Duncan mutters. “Are you going to run, Short Stuff?”

“No,” I repeat. “We’ll stay. I don’t know why he’s here. I didn’t think he was a fighter.”

“He’s a crazy ass fuck,” Duncan sighs. “Who knows why he does anything.”

“Maybe I’ll ask him,” I say without realizing it.

“Woah, do you really think that’s a good idea?” Duncan asks.

His question isn’t answered as the announcer begins the fight. Kane’s incredibly graceful as he fights, his tall body still able to feint and get under the other man’s blocking. On and on they go, until Kane earns the first blooded blow. The punch makes Hawk’s head snap back, blood exploding in the air.

Whimpering, I find myself breathing harder, and Callum grunts in response.

“Fighting definitely gets you hot,” he says, teeth gritting. “How does it feel to know your body works just fine, Adira?”

“We discussed that I would not be taking questions about anything my body does tonight,” I reply, crossing my legs as I squirm.

“You’re such a brat,” Duncan says, his gaze on Kane as he picks me up and puts me in his lap. “Since we don't know which fighter the other has money on, I may as well stir the pot a bit.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Callum snorts as Kane dances back.

Kane happens to look over at the box, his gaze darkening when he sees me. I can see his snarled lip, and when I imagine his growl, slick begins to slide down my leg.

“I’m going to leave a puddle on your pants,” I warn him.

“Worth it,” Duncan says. “I can enjoy it even though I don’t want you, Short Stuff. Maybe these guys will get their heads out of their asses.”

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