Page 46 of Devil's Game

“This is a onetime thing,” Kellan warned, giving Sebastian a pointed look, which he waved off.

“Sure, sure.” He grinned. “I meant the other part of our arrangement.”

My brow furrowed. “What other—”

“The work you’ve been doing.” There was a knowing glint in his eyes before he gestured to the throng of people mere feet away. “The news of the recent blockage has seemed to spread.”

I looked between Kellan and Spade, but there was a look of surprise on each of their faces as well.

“Don’t be so humble,” he chided lightly, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You surely knew the effect you were having on the town, right?”

“We knew about the business owners, but we had no idea that others had noticed,” Kellan said, suspicion lacing his tone.

Sebastian shrugged. “That’s what I hear, at least. Now, about the rest—”

“We’ll wait until Merrick can be here,” Kellan interrupted abruptly, giving a pointed look to the people within earshot.

“Right.” Sebastian nodded tersely, appearing annoyed that he had let himself get carried away. “I do have to say, I like some of the steps you’re taking already.” His toffee eyes landed on me.

A shiver ran up my spine as I glanced at Spade, catching the anger flashing in his eyes like lightning across a violet sky.

“How do you—”

“I have my sources,” Sebastian cut him off, straightening his suit. “Don’t worry, there’s no evidence. Not anymore.”

A million questions streamed through my mind. Were we wrong to trust him? And what evidence did he mean? If he knew what happened, there clearly had to be a video of what I’d done to the guard in the parking lot.

Anger boiled in my veins as I set my glass down with a clatter. Kellan’s hand gripped my leg in warning as I sat forward, my eyes narrowing on the shifty club owner. But before I could get a word out, the music tapered off as an announcer came over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for!” Cheers erupted from the crowd, louder than thethumping bass that had been playing only moments before. “We have a special treat for you tonight, the return of the one, the only, Merrriickk theee Mannnglerrr!”

The crowd went wild, enraptured fans screaming at the tops of their lungs.

“That’s different.” I shifted my glare to Kellan, annoyed that they hadn’t told me about his new fighting name.

He grinned, giving away that this was all part of their plan. Damn Merrick.

Or, more likely, given the relief smoothing Kellan’s features, he was grateful I didn’t look like I was about to strangle Sebastian.

I’d be lying if the thought wasn’t still on my mind, but my bloodlust was warring with my excitement at seeing Merrick in the ring.

“Please take your seats, as the fight begins in ten minutes.”

“Let’s take our—”

I pinned Sebastian with a seething glare, the malice rippling off me, making even Zane stiffen. “This conversation isn’t over.”

He nodded. “Understood.”

There was a mix of surprise and respect in his eyes, like he hadn’t expected this reaction from me. He didn’t know me, though. I didn’t care who he was, or how important he was to the plan. If he fucked with me or my family, it would be the last thing he did.

Chapter Fourteen

Giana

The crowd roared asthe lights flashed on, illuminating the ring. Most of the spectators had taken their seats, with the last few running up the aisles now. Sebastian was right about one thing—there were more people here than I’d ever seen before. The chairs were set up the same as I remembered, but there was now a standing area behind the seats, where people who didn’t have tickets to the actual fight were allowed to watch from afar or on screens mounted around the bar. He was probably making a killing off the drinks and tickets alone, not even taking into account the stream of bets still rolling in.

Sebastian reserved the VIP section in front of the ring for us, giving us the perfect view. Spade and Kellan nestled me between them, leaving Sophia to sit next to Zane and Sebastian on theother side of the aisle. I honestly couldn’t get a good read on the three of them, especially since, every few minutes, Sophia and Zane’s heated glares looked like they were about to tear each other’s heads—or clothes—off.

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