Page 41 of Hate Game

I stretch out my legs and point my fingers toward the ceiling. “And?”

“You’re not to come around anymore.”

“What?!” I shoot off the couch. “It’s not your call or his to make.” I point a finger at Malice. “I can come and go as I please.”

“It’s too late, Hard Knocks. I’ve already sent a group message. Step foot inside the Eastside, and you forfeit your share of the pot.”

“You have no right. That money is mine.” For the past two years, I’ve given Isaac a hundred dollars a month. “Plus interest.”

“I’ll reconsider.Ifyou behave.”

“What does that mean, exactly?” I set my hands on my hips. I’ve already dealt with one no-contact order, and now my brother is telling me to stay away too.

“You can’t come around until after the fights are over. Malice”—he gestures to my arch nemesis—“says your bad habit returned.”

“And what is this habit, pray tell?” I look from Isaac to Malice. Johnny has the good sense to follow Colton outside. They’re avoiding eye contact. The glass is thin, and they can heareverything.

“You stole from him.”

“What?!” I face Malice and glare.

“My laptop. It’s disappeared.”

“Iborrowedit.”

Malice leans in at the waist and sticks his face in mine. “You didn’t ask.”

I puff out a frustrated breath. “I didn’t think you would mind.”

Isaac steps between us. “Nothing can happen with this bag of money, Rue, including intentional ‘borrowing.’”

“That’s it?” I push Isaac out of my way. “You’re taking his side?” I jerk my head at Malice. “Tell me he has nothing to do with your business?”

“He’s his own man.”

“And I’m paid to go where he goes.”

“Hold up, your latest job is playing bodyguard to Malice Sterling, the top offensive lineman in this part of the state?” Isaac looks my body up and down and laughs.

What a jerk!

“It’s true,” Malice confirms.

“What’s she guarding you against, bro?” Isaac asks with his arms folded over his chest.

Malice smirks. “Me, myself, and I.”

“Shit.” Isaac runs his palm over his face. “You figure out the logistics, man. I don’t want her anywhere near the cage.”

The fight is on the first Saturday in December. Isaac’s crew does the recruiting. He collects the money. Once he has enough men signed up, he draws names. Each winner fights another winner until one man is left standing.

“You’re fighting?” I grab Malice’s arm with both hands and drag him out of Isaac’s earshot. “He’s recruited out-of-town gym nuts and grown men for these fights. You know why?”

Malice shakes his head.

“He’s run out of local guys who are dumb enough to think they can beat Isaac’s star guy. I’ve seen him, and he is huge, Malice. Please, tell Isaac no.”

“I’ve already put in my money.”

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