Page 29 of The Devil's Dream

His answering smile was brilliant, and I knew I’d made the right decision. “That's my girl.”

With plans made, the rest of the morning passed in a haze of soft touches and shared looks.

When the afternoon rolled around, we’d migrated to the living room, where I curled up between them on the couch.

AsStranger Thingsplayed quietly on the television, Kane explained more about The Pit and the underground world of fighters.

I listened, trying to understand this part of him—this need for violence and victory.

It was so different from my quiet world of books and flowers, yet I found myself fascinated by his passion.

“The money from tonight's fight,” Kane said, his fingers trailing patterns on my arm, “it's going toward the club's legal fund. For when we need it.”

My thoughts turned to the federal investigator Banner had mentioned, about the constant threat that seemed to always be hanging over the club. It all served as another reminder that their world was more dangerous than I'd ever fully grasped.

“Will there be a lot of people there?” I asked, already dreading the possibility of a big crowd.

“No more than usual,” Kane replied. “Rich assholes betting their daddy's money, people hard up for cash looking to score, and of course, the club.”

“You'll be safe,” Haze added quietly, his hand squeezing my knee.

The possessiveness in his voice made me shiver.

Kane's phone vibrated on the coffee table, and he knifed up and grabbed it. As he checked the screen, a frown slid onto his face. “Need to head to the gym. Get some training in before tonight.”

My stomach twisted with anxiety, but I pushed it down.

This was who he was—who they both were.

Kane stood, pulling me up with him. “Wear something sexy tonight, Kitten.” He winked before kissing me wet, hard, and demanding. When he pulled away, Haze's gentler kiss followed, always the soothing balm to Kane's fire.

As I watched them gather their things, my heart felt full and heavy all at once. I knew their world was dangerous; I’d witnessed it more than enough times in the last year, but tonight I was going to see another side of the men I was falling for, and that scared the hell out of me.

But as they kissed me goodbye, with Kane's predatory grin promising victory and Haze's quiet strength promising everything would be okay, I knew I would stand by their sides no matter what.

They were mine, as much as I was theirs, and tonight, I would prove that I was strong enough to handle anything this life threw at me.

Chapter Nine

Kane

The locker room at The Pit reeked of sweat and blood, making me chuckle.

“What?” Haze asked, working methodically as he wrapped tape around my knuckles.

“Nova will hate this place.”

Haze nodded, chuckling himself as he secured the last piece of tape. “Too tight?”

I flexed my fingers, testing the wrap. “Perfect.”

A knock on the door had both our heads turning. Haze tapped his palm against my hands then stood, moving to answer the door while I continued rolling my shoulders, trying to loosen up.

When the door swung open, my breath caught.

Nova stood there with Ghost, and holy fuck, did she look incredible. The red dress she wore hugged every curve like a second skin, pushing her tits up in a way that made my mouth water. And those long legs of hers were goddam perfection.

“Damn, Kitten,” I growled, drinking her in. “Can't wait to have those legs wrapped around me later.”