Page 157 of Red Flag
Because that was what I wanted to do.
Nix kept his hands off me but stood just behind, arms hovering, eyes scanning faster than the security team flagging us.
Georges andLihaheld handsthrough the stadium crowd to the front rows, whereLucahad reserved us seats. Nix made wide eyes at me and tried not to grin at their open affection before flexing his hand and jokingly going to hold mine.
If only he could.
Crisstood on seeing us and hugged me tight in the dark. As we walked past the rows of seats, there had been a number of camera flashes our way, but nothing of any concern—nothing out of the ordinary when it came to NixonArmas.
“How are you holding up?”Crisstage-whispered in the loud arena.
“I’m okay,” I said with a smile, not allowing him to let go just yet.
“I’m so proud of you,Livia,” he said and held me at arm’s length, expression sympathetic. “Your dad would be proud of you, too. I know I’m not… I know it’s not the same. But I love you like a daughter. You remind me of Everly.”
I nodded and bit my wobbling lip. I didn’t know Everly particularly well, just that her relationship with her dad was tumultuous, but I knew he loved her even more than he lovedCiclati.
I looked around for her. With her odd ‘relationship’ withLuca, I’d expected her to be here.
“And this is amazing!”Crissaid and gestured to my jacket. “How are you managing to get these from the design team without my say-so? The pink tops, now a jacket…”
Lihalaughed and we sat as the fights started, the music blaring to announce one of the fighter’s entrances.
There were three fights before Luca’s.
Some were brutal, all entertaining, and a few had me clutching Nix’s arm, especially when a loud crack told the stadium a bone had broken.
“Just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?” he smirked before I jumped back.
But he was right. In his shirt and jacket, I couldn’t help but think of how I’d begged him to fuck me in the stairwell of that club in Japan. And if there was anywhere here we could sneak off to where we definitely couldn’t get caught.
I knew it was impossible, but my mind kept wandering.
“You can put your hands all over me later, Livid,” he breathed in my ear.
Damn it, I wanted to straddle him before all of these people.
He looked down at me with that cocky smile that forced my thighs to press together and my throat to swallow.
His deep chuckle sounded through me as a loud song came on, announcingLuca’sarrival. The cheers erupted and he was grinning,high-fivingthose with patient hands waiting as hewalked down towards the boxing ring.
He wore black shorts, with sponsors down the side andCiclation the back. Despite everything happening between him and his team, he was aCiclatiracer through and through.
LucaMendes had been worried he couldn’t be both a boxer and a racer.
And as much asCriswas proud of me, I was like a proud big sister ofLuca.
It was then that the room around me — with all its energy, excitement and noise — slipped from my hold.
I realised I was smiling. Truly smiling.
Luca’smanager greased his face asLuca’strainer gave him a pep-talk that I could hardly hear.Lucawas nodding away, shaking out his arms and his legs. Until he saw me.
A slow smile spread across his face and he raised a finger to the trainer talking.
He strolled over and frowned in mock shock. “Why aren’t you shoving a camera in my face, hmm?”
I blinked before grabbing my phone.
