Page 29 of Declan

If he only knew.

If he had any idea that his little sister had slept in my bed last night, wrapped around me like a fucking fever dream, he’d lose his goddamn mind.

We reach the stairwell, and the familiar, gritty scent of sweat, beer, and blood hits us as we descend. The low thrum of music grows softer as we make our way down.

The fight club is already packed, standing-room only. The cage is lit in a harsh spotlight, as the rest of the club is lit up red. It’s the opposite of the bright blue upstairs.

The crowd roars in anticipation.

The energy is electric. Addictive.

Tonight’s going to be brutal.

And I need it.

Because if I don’t get this out of my system, Lena, the lies, the need, I might just explode.

Time to channel it all into something useful.

Time for a fight.

Bodies crowd shoulder to shoulder around the cage, the roar of the crowd swelling with every minute that passes. They know something’s coming. They can feel it. A last-minute fight always brings out the bloodthirsty ones.

I open the door to the room that Jason is in and nod for him to come out. He’s grinning like the arrogant prick he is.

He’s the kind of guy who thrives in chaos.

But tonight? He’s not the main event.

He’s the bait.

“Move,” I bark at him.

I stand beside him as we push through the packed hallway that leads straight to the cage entrance.

Jason chuckles behind me. “This the part where you finally get your hands dirty?”

I stop dead and turn to face him. The cocky smirk on his face makes my blood boil.

“Wouldn’t take more than a few minutes to break you,” I say low, stepping into his space. “But I don’t do the fighting in the ring.”

He steps closer. “Then why you walking me in like my damn babysitter?”

“I’m your escort to hell, asshole. Try not to scream on the way down.”

I shove open the cage door and push Jason in. The crowd goes nuts, shoving and yelling and climbing onto chairs just to get a better view.

“Let’s go!” someone screams. “Rip his fuckin’ head off!”

Jason climbs in and stretches like this is a joke. But I don’t move.

Not yet.

Because I need to make a point.

I walk in behind him.

Jason doesn’t wait.

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