Page 69 of Toxic

Dante holds his form as Gus instructed, boasting, "Piece of cake."

"Got the hang of it?" Gus shouts.

"Yep."

Gus winks at me and hits a button. The bull moves faster, jerking side to side. Dante clenches his jaw and holds tighter, but Gus hits another button. The bull whips in a circle, and Dante flies off. He falls on his stomach on the mat.

The crowd roars, and I run over to Dante, laughing. "Seven seconds."

He turns over and pushes himself off the ground. A smug expression erupts. "You're next."

My stomach flips, and I glance at the gold machine.

Dante puts his hand on my back and leans down. "Come on. I'll help you up. Unless you want to forfeit, leave now, and stay at my place?"

I turn so I'm right in his face. "Nope. I can beat your measly seven seconds."

"Then show me what you've got, dolcezza," he says and kisses my forehead.

Gus puts the step next to the bull. I jump up on it and take a deep breath. He repeats the instructions he gave Dante.

I grip the rope, hold out my left hand, and squeeze my thighs as tight as possible against the metal.

"Ready?" Gus yells out.

Dante crosses his arms. Amusement fills his face.

"Ready," I reply, determined to win.

The bull begins to move. I fall in rhythm with the up and down pattern. When it turns, I brace myself and keep my balance.

"Doing good," Gus shouts.

"Faster," I yell, not wanting to give Dante any reason to say I had it easy.

Gus hits the button. The bull bucks harder then spins. I almost lose my balance but catch it. The crowd cheers, and I squeeze my thighs tighter.

Right when I think I have it figured out, the speed increases. Adrenaline courses through my veins. The bar becomes blurry and louder as I put all my concentration on not falling. The bull spins sharply. I go flying through the air, shrieking, and fall onto the mat.

Applause and whistles erupt all around me.

"Bridge, you okay?" Dante asks, turning me onto my back. His face is full of worry.

For some reason, I find it funny. I laugh until tears come to my eyes.

Dante pulls me to my feet, assessing me. "You're okay?"

I wipe my face and nod, still laughing. "That was fun."

Dante studies me for a moment then grabs my hand and leads me through the bar.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

He says nothing, guiding me through the crowd, down the hallway, and out into the alley. His SUV is parked nearby, his driver standing near the passenger door. He nods then goes into the bar.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Get in," Dante instructs, opening the back door.

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