Page 9 of Caged

There are other ways to get women, Hud. You don’t have to hurt yourself to get their attention. Although asking her to kiss your boo-boo could work.

Hudson

Fuck off Becks.

Jace

Seriously. Have you seen her when she teaches that yoga class? She makes downward dog look really good.

Amelia

Jace, you’re supposed to be the cute one. Not the pig.

Scarlet

Jesus Christ.

Lenny

Stop. Just stop. Where did we fail you?

Hudson

Do you have a death wish, little brother?

Jace

Like you’re not all thinking the same thing.

Once I closeout of the group text and take the peas off my knee, I try to settle my mind without any luck.

I’m defending my title in nine days.

Nine fucking days, and I’m supposed to stay off my leg for three of them.

I’m in good shape.

Hell, I’m ingreatshape. But I still have fifteen pounds I need to cut before the fight. And every minute of training matters when you’re in that ring. Cocky is great for show, and the league loves a good show. But cockiness doesn’t win fights. Hard fucking work does. And being laid up for a few days is going to blow.

There’s a knock at the front door before it swings open, which means one of my siblings just walked in. Some days, I regret giving them keys, but it’s something we’ve always all done.

My brother Max, and his wife, Daphne, walk into the family room with a suitcase, book bag, computer bag, and a cat carrier in hand.

Damn. Women need a ton of shit.

Daphne opens the metal gate on the carrier, and Maddie’s black-and-white cat, Cinder, darts across the room. The damn thing hates me. I haven’t been around it much, but it hisses and swishes its tail whenever I’ve been at her house.

“Where is she?” Daphne asks with a hand on her very pregnant belly.

“Taking a shower.” I motion toward the staircase, and Max and I watch his wife take the book bag up to Maddie.

Max looks me over before his eyes settle on my knee. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore as shit. But I’ll be fine.” I adjust the peas and wince. “I’m assuming Scarlet called.”

Max nods. “How’s she doing? What the fuck happened?”

“She seems okay. I don’t know if it’s hit her yet. That guy was behind her. He wasn’t going for the money or for Cade’s office. He was behind her. I’ve never been so fucking glad to forget my phone in my life.”

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