Page 38 of Filthy Beginnings

That would not be him.

He and Scarlett had this.

* * *

That night,Damien was pacing the storage room by her sleeping quarters when he finally heard Egan leave and the guards lock her in for the night.

She darted straight into his arms the instant he freed her from the restraints. “Sorry it’s so late.” She pressed kisses to his chest and squeezed him tight. “I missed you.”

He didn’t bother speaking. He wasn’t sure he was calm enough. Instead, he just swooped her up and carried her to another door he’d discovered that led to a closet that led to a grate with easier access to their secret place.

He’d used the time between the matches and seeing Scarlett to explore—and it was a far smarter expenditure of his time than the fucking and drinking with which most of the other fighters filled their leisure hours.

His heart beat had almost returned to normal by the time he reached their destination.

He was even able to set her down, though he kept her in his arms, his chin rubbing the top of her silky head.

Her brother had really pissed him off.

Damien tried to reel himself in. “You had me worried. What happened?”

There was a moment’s hesitation, and his stomach clenched.

“Egan kept me for a private performance with some of the prime investors.”

His hands fisted against her back.

“Damien?” She wiggled in his hold.

He loosened his grip. Blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. You okay?” He pulled his shit together enough to avoid being a galaxy-class jerk. He might have been worried, but she’d been forced to dance for those fuckers.

“You want me to sneak back to the kitchens and get you some food?”

“No,” she clutched him tighter. “I just want you to hold me.”

“With pleasure.” He told himself to pull it together. Reminded himself there were only a few more rotations—and still he couldn’t help but ask, “Who was there?”

Another hesitation.

This time, he answered for her. “Kadon Stormhart and his family.”

She nodded, her cheek rubbing against his chest. “And N’gal Verish and his.”

The tournament favorites, though after the way he’d been winning, cutting through his opponents like they were dark matter, the odds were shifting.

Egan couldn’t be happy about that. Neither was Scarlett’s brother, apparently. Asking around, he’d learned the consortium Alpha was respected and well-liked.

A fact that only made Luc’s preference for Stormhart for Scarlett all the harder to swallow.

But there was little either Egan or Luc could do about it outright.

Damien made sure to eat the same food as the other fighters and drink only from the same water sources. He also had his new friend Crex watching his back. In return, Damien doled out fighting tips and extra training.

As long as Damien stayed sharp, there was little chance of Egan or Luc orchestrating a sneak attack that could take him out before the tournament began.

Fuckers might not like it, but Damien was here to stay.

The problem was, he didn’t know how to stop the edginess growing inside him every time a fighter boasted about winning the prize money—and the prize herself.

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