Page 28 of The Devil's Dream

I sipped on my coffee, watching them move around each other with such familiarity. They were so in sync, anticipating each other's movements without a word.

I couldn’t imagine what it felt like having that. I’d grown up an only child, raised by my aunt after my parents died in a car crash. I’d always, pretty much, been alone.

“Okay?” Haze asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” Kane asked after hearing Haze’s question.

“Nothing,” I told them both. “I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile.

It was clear he didn’t believe me, but thankfully he let it slide.

Kane smiled softly before going back to what he was cooking on the stove. Haze watched me for another few moments before fishing out his phone that was buzzing in his pocket. I watchedas he read what was on the screen, his expression darkening slightly.

“Dragon?” Kane asked without turning from the stove.

Haze grunted in confirmation. “Tonight.”

Kane's shoulders tensed. “Good. Been waiting for this one.”

I looked between them, confusion furrowing my brow. “What's tonight?”

Kane plated the food, sliding it in front of me before leaning his elbows on the counter and looking at me with that boyish grin I was beginning to love. “My fight.”

“A fight?” My fork paused halfway to my mouth. “Like... boxing?”

Kane's lips quirked. “Not exactly. Ever heard of The Pit?”

I shook my head.

“It's an underground fighting ring,” he explained, his eyes lighting up with an intensity I hadn't seen before. “No rules, no refs. Just pure combat.”

My stomach clenched. “Isn't that... dangerous?”

Haze snorted, and Kane's grin turned predatory. “That's the point, Kitten. The danger, the rush—there's nothing like it.”

I set my fork down, my appetite now completely gone. The idea of someone hurting him… no. I didn’t like that at all. “Do you... do this often?”

“I'm the club's champion fighter,” he said, pride evident in his voice. “Been doing it for years. The money's great, and it keeps our reputation strong.”

“But you could get hurt.” The words came out smaller than I intended.

Kane rounded the counter, turning my stool to face him. His hands bracketed my thighs as he leaned in close. “You worried about me, Kitten?”

I nodded, unable to look away from the intensity in his big green eyes.

“Don't be,” he murmured, pressing his lips to my forehead. “I know what I'm doing.”

I glanced at Haze, who nodded solemnly. Something passed between the two men, shaped by years of trust and shared experience I would probably never fully understand.

“Will you come watch?” Kane asked, pulling back slightly. “I want you there.”

My heart thundered. The thought of watching Kane fight, of seeing him deliberately put himself in danger... I bit my lip. I wasn’t sure I could bear it.

“Please,” he added.

I sighed. Watching two men beat the crap out of each other sounded horrible, but I could see how much this meant to him. How alive he looked just talking about it.

“Okay,” I finally relented.

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