Page 42 of Montana Mystery

Right now, my focus was like a laser pointed straight at Kate and Max. The asshole was already treating her like a piece of property. The fact that his hands were on her made me want to grab him and throw him into the pit.

Hopefully at some point in taking them down, I could.

The flash of darkness in those thoughts gave me pause, but I pushed it aside. I’d gotten my wish. I was in. Now I had to make the most of it and live with the consequences later.

A cheer went up from around the pit. Another fight starting. My jaw creaked I was clenching it so hard. I didn’t let it show. Instead, I funneled every bit of anger I had into an arrogant stride. Confidence that made people get out of my way as I strode toward Max.

Kate saw me and froze. I would look different. I’d slicked back my hair and had on darker clothing. A leather jacket and dark jeans. If I’d had the time, I would have put on some tattoos to blend in more with the crowd. As it was, I’d been lucky that I had some clothes in the emergency kit in my truck that worked. This party was no place for a rancher.

Still far enough away that I could disguise my words, I spoke. “I’m no one to you, Kate. Don’t let it show.”

Her eyes flicked away from me toward the fight, and again away from that. I didn’t blame her. It wasn’t anything I wanted her to see.

I stopped in front of their little balcony and looked up at Max. “They say you’re the guy in charge.”

“Who’s asking?”

“Someone who heard you do more than just animal fighting in this pit, and if that’s true, then I want in.”

Max looked at me, sizing me up. What would he bet on me? We were about to find out.

His gaze turned suspicious. “How did you get in here?”

Thanks to Kate, I could make this work. “I had the password. Been around for a bit, some of your other parties. Finally got hooked up.”

“And your name is?”

I raised one eyebrow. “The kind of places we’re talking about don’t usually use names. Didn’t expect to need one here. Just interested in making some money. If that’s not an option, I can find somewhere else.”

He stopped me before I could fully turn around. “So you want to fight?”

“I do. I’ll even put a big fucking wager on myself so you have nothing to lose.”

He pulled Kate tighter to his side, and I fought the urge to curl my hands into fists. All I wanted to do was sweep her away from this place and these people, but I could barely afford to look at her in case this asshole thought I was being too interested.

“I’ll see what we have for tonight,” Max said before glancing at Kate. “Stay here.”

He came down the stairs and disappeared behind the platform. I just barely caught a glimpse of him going through a door, and there were more people back there. That was interesting.

What was he actually doing? If he had to confer with other people, then maybe Max wasn’t who we thought he was. That could make sense. Have him be the front man and the face of things while someone else pulled the strings. If I were inclined to have a business like this, it’s what I would do.

Kate looked at me before turning her head away. “You can’t do this.” Her voice was breathless in my ear. “Don’t put yourself in that position.”

“Stop.” I said the word as gently as I could, and it was still too harsh. The character I was playing was hard to let go of in one breath. “Don’t give him any reason to doubt. I can handle this.”

She looked at me then, and there was terror on her face.

“Kate,” I tried not to move my lips, instead leaning on the base of their little VIP platform and pretending like I was bored. “You haven’t seen this side of me, but this isn’t anything I haven’t done before.”

“Okay.” Her voice was small, and I hated that. It drove all my protective instincts to the surface, and it hurt like hell to have to beat them down.

Max strode around the corner and saw me. “You’re in. Could use a bit of a mix-up in tonight’s entertainment. And besides,” he looked me up and down, “it’s always fun to see a newbie get their ass beat.”

I smiled, letting it take on a dangerous glint. “We’ll see about that.”

“I like confidence,” Max said, slapping me on the arm. “But we like money better. You said you would wager on yourself. That’s what’s holding your spot, so you better make good.”

“Lead the way.”

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