Page 44 of Love Bleeds Red
I step toward the ring with Cruz close behind. My eyes find Knapp in the crowd. He gives me a slight nod, a silent command to get the job done. I blow out a breath and let my mind clear.
“You’ve got this, Colter!” Cruz shouts behind me. A few voices join in, though I can’t tell if they’re cheering for me or just hungry for blood. I shake hands with the ref, a grizzled ex-boxer whose job is to make sure we don’t actually kill each other.
Tank’s voice booms again. “Place your bets! You’ve got two minutes!”
Money changes hands, people crowd the betting table, everyone buzzing with anticipation. I bounce on the balls ofmy feet, keeping loose, trying not to think about who might be betting against me.
“Bring out the challenger!” Tank calls.
The crowd cleaves in two, creating a path from the opposite side of the basement. That’s when I catch the first glimpse of my opponent as he strides forward, his steps almost cocky.
He’s about my height, lean but muscled. Not the kind you get from real work. These muscles scream personal trainers and country clubs. His dark hair is perfectly styled despite being in a humid basement. The way he smirks, chest puffed out, swaggering like he owns the place. Privileged prick.
And I know this for a fact.
He gets closer and with one look at his eyes—the same eyes I see in the mirror everyday. The same shape. The same shade of hazel with flecks of gold and green.Alfred’s eyes.
James Colter. Myhalfbrother.
What the fuck is he doing here?
BAILEY - JUNE 20TH
The most amazing thing happened and I can’t get my body to calm down. My heart rate is going a hundred mph, my stomach is doing backflips, and I’m definitely in need of a change of underwear (not from pee).
Let me start from the beginning.
I didn’t get much sleep last night… and I know exactly why. I can’t stop thinking about Leon. Ever since the wing incident and our texting afterward, something’s shifted between us. I keep replaying his messages, the way he joked around with me, and wondering if maybe I’m not just Jasper’s little sister to him anymore.
My room—which is normally my comfort, my sanctuary—felt too warm, too closed in. So I figured I’d make some tea and chill in the living room with a book. Well, my parents had other plans. They came in bickering and Mom started stress vacuuming whileDad put on some golf game on the TV at the highest possible volume.
Okay, I thought. I’ll go outside.
Killer bees.
That is all.
Maybe not killer bees, but these bees had it out for me. I ended up running inside screeching like a wild creature, grabbing my purse, and driving straight to the library. I needed some nice, air-conditioned, quiet time.
And I did get that… for a little while. Peace and quiet to help me out of the cranky, confusing mood I’d been in all morning. It was just me, my marriage of convenience smut, and a corner table near the mythology section.
Until I felt a warm breath against my ear and jumped out of my skin.
“What are you reading?” Leon asked. No, more like crooned. Or murmured. Or purred. How does he do that with his voice?
I’m getting off track. Let me make this easier and write this in a professional way… like my own romance novel because… Well, you’ll see.
“You scared the shit out of me!” I whisper-yelled.
He just stood back to his full height, hands crossed, and smirked. “Looks like a pretty racy scene?”
My face got red hot.
“No! It’s—it’s not racy. It’s tasteful.”
He leaned down again and read over my shoulder. “In all her years of fucking, she never knew a man could feel this good. His coc?—”
“Oh my God, stop right now!”
