Page 29 of The Obvious Check

His grin grows wide at the confirmation. As if he needed it after our conversation yesterday. The only reason I’m overtly staking my claim on her now is because I want him to know there’s someone looking out for her and if he doesn’t treat her well, he’ll have me to answer to.

Luke leans back, filling a glass of beer, and pushes it my way. I don’t acknowledge it. I just stay staring at his sinister grin, threatening him with a look.

“She’s one of our most requested girls, you know? I can’t have her at a game when she could be earning me thousands of dollars here.”

“Thousands?” I raise a brow, skepticism dripping from my voice. Savannah is gorgeous and everything I’m desperate for. However, I don’t believe for a single second guys like Beardy McBeardson are paying thousands a night to see her endearingly awkward dancing. Not when she looks terrified the entire time.

“I’m just making a point. You’re not the only one who thinks she’s special.”

I clench my jaw, holding back on punching the shit out of him. The mere idea of other guys thinking they have a shot with her sends me into a tailspin it shouldn’t.

She’s not mine even if I think she might want to be.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yup. When that girl’s on stage, all those idiots over there can’t take their eyes off her. Throw money all over her even though she can’t dance for shit. Girl’s hips have them mesmerized, though.”

“Mhm.”

“Kind of the way you memorize people when you’re in the ring.”

I heard the distinction. Ring not rink, and I know what’s coming next.

“You haven’t been on my lineup in a while. If you ever want another match, let me know. I’ve got the perfect opponent for you. I think Scarlett would love to see you beat him down.”

He's only saying that to try to pique my interest, dangling her in front of me like bait. We both know I'm not coming back here to fight. Getting in another underground match would go against the promise I made to my sister and Dash, and although I'm still salty that they don't seem to hold the same standards as me when it comes to integrity, considering how they started fucking behind my back, I won't go back on the promise I made after the last fight. Blood pact and all that shit. I've also got a contract to keep with the Anglerfish. If they find out I'm taking part in illegal fights, I could lose everything I've worked for my entire life. Gone in one headline: “Hockey Prospect Caught Cage Fighting, Career Over Before It Began.”

I turn my body so I’m facing the stage and relax my elbows against the bar before throwing Luke a grin. “I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you? A guaranteed win means more money for you.”

He shrugs. “You’d benefit too. I always pay my staff well.”

Staff.The thought annoys me to no end. Just like Savannah, I’m treated as staff. As a means to an end. The only thing he cares about is how much money we can bring in.

“But who knows, this new guy I got…” He whistles, shaking his head. “Damn, I mean, I thought you were a good fighter, but this guy has been working his way through the underground circuit, beating everyone he comes in contact with. It might not be as guaranteed a win as you think.”

Ah, now he’s changing tactics. Challenge my dominance as a fighter and maybe, just maybe, I’ll bite.

“You do realize if I fight again and get caught, I could lose everything, right?”

“Yeah, but one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars can go a long way.”

“That it can.” I turn away from him, surprised that he thinks the money will sway me. One hundred and twenty-five thousand is pennies compared to what I’ll make in the NHL.

“Why don’t you think about it while you watch your girl?”

I’m not about to correct him. Savannah being called my girl sounds right.

“Please welcome Scarlett Cherrywood to the stage.”

The mere mention of her stage name makes my body prickle with interest. Every nerve is suddenly alert because she’s definitely here.

When I look over to the stage, her slender leg pokes out of the curtain first. It’s only a teasing glimpse, but it’s enough to make my mouth go dry. My fingers itch to run down it and rip off those ridiculous rhinestone-covered torture devices she calls shoes. How the hell does she walk in them? Is that why her moves are so terrible? Another step out of the curtain reveals the curve of her hip and the white sequined teddy I saw her in the first timehere. The same outfit that haunts my dreams and makes cold showers a necessity.

I walk away from the bar without acknowledging Luke and head toward the stage, looking for an empty seat at the front. Not close enough that the lights will out me. No. I need to stay hidden. To lurk in the shadows as I watch my girl, because yes, she’s already mine in my head, and figure out what the hell kind of hold Luke has over her.

The men cheer lowly when she finally reveals her face. Blood-red lipstick emphasizes lips that should be whispering secrets against mine and the exaggerated winged eyeliner makes her look like some exotic creature.

Her deep green eyes remain stubbornly closed as she walks across the stage, somehow knowing exactly where the pole is without looking.

---