Page 105 of Never Die for a Sinner
Some things are just inevitable.
“How long have you been coming here?”
“Three years,” Cheddar says.
“And you always fight?”
“Only on days they tell me I’m allowed. They won’t let me fight no one smaller than me.”
Judging by his Goliath size, I’m imagining that’s not very often.
“Why do you fight, Hector? Surely, it must hurt.”
“Pure adrenaline, Miss Ava. That’s what Mr. Black calls it.”
“I take it you and Mr. Black are friends.”
Cheddar stares at me for a moment, his smile fading. I hadn’t expected such a serious look from him, but I get the feeling I struck a nerve.
“Cheddar, I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“Mr. Black saved my life,” he says darkly, and a shiver runs down my spine. “Whatever he needs from me, he’ll get.”
I pause, my heart beating faster.
“How did he save your life?”
“Cheddar,” Levi snaps from behind us, and I can’t deny the anxiety I’d felt without him melts away.
It’s annoying, because this is Levi. A man I’m literally contractually obligated to have sex with. Not a damned saint.
A moment later, strong arms cage me in, his hands pressing to the counter on either side of me. His breath, warm on the side of my neck, sends chills down my spine.
“Careful, baby girl . . .” he murmurs, so low only I can hear him. My pulse quickens, my skin heating with the warmth of his body washing over me. “Remember what happened last time you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.”
“Miss Ava didn’t leave, Mr. Black,” Cheddar says, completely oblivious. “I made sure of it.”
Levi straightens, though his hand slides around to wrap around my waist. My stomach dips with his touch, a dull throb roaring between my legs.
Damn, he’s good.
“Yes, you did, Cheddar,” Levi says, handing him something I can’t see. “You did well.”
“I’m not a child,” I growl at him, but he ignores me, in true Levi fashion. He tosses a twenty down on the counter for Cherry, and she gives him a look I can’t understand when he takes my hand in his.
He nods at her once, and I stare at him in confusion, but of course, he doesn’t tell me anything. He hauls me off the stool and claps Cheddar on the back.
“Come on. We’re going home.”
“Good night, Hector. See you next time.”
“Night, Miss Ava,” he calls with a wave.
“Did you make friends with Cheddar?” Levi asks over the loud music as he leads me back through the throngs of people.
“Everyone deserves a friend,” I say with a shrug, and something flashes across his face before it’s quickly gone. “Even the damaged ones.”
My blood is teeming with electricity when we return home.
