Page 29 of Sold Wolf Slave

“You know this guy?” Nolan asked, raising an eyebrow. “’Cause I don’t, and I know I’d recognize a face as ugly as that.”

“You really do like antagonizing people, don’t you?” I asked, glancing over at him as Pierce snarled once again.

Shrugging, Nolan said, “I mean, you’re doing the same thing. This is way more fun, though. So, you know him?”

“Yeah. The fighting pits.” That was all I needed to say for Chris and Nolan to go “ah” and bob their heads in understanding.

“I’m right here,” Pierce snapped. “And I don’t appreciate being ignored.”

“The guy you fought for—” Chris began, but I gave a short nod before he could finish. The entire time I spoke to Chris and Nolan, the angrier I could sense Pierce getting, his face getting redder, and his fisted knuckles turning white.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you,” he barked.

I turned my head to face him, finally acknowledging him again. “Let go of me before I tear off your whole arm,” I said without an ounce of bravado.

Something like unease flickered in his gaze. He let out a small grumble, but his hand retracted.

“You and I’ve got some unfinished business,” he said.

“Pretty sure we don’t,” I shot back.

He took a step forward.

“What do you want?” I asked.

I heard shuffling sounds behind me, and a sharp intake of breath. Kendra’s familiar scent wafted toward me. I didn’t have to turn to know she had moved into the hallway to see what was happening.

I saw Pierce glance over my head toward her. His eyes flashed with greed and lust as he gave her a lecherous sneer.

“Hey, darling,” he said.

“Hey,” I snapped, drawing his attention back to me. “You and I are talking. Tell me what you want, and leave her the hell alone.”

“I want a rematch.”

Behind me, I could sense Nolan and Chris forming ranks around Kendra, blocking Pierce’s line of sight to her.

Rolling my eyes, I said, “I won fair and square. And I have no interest in fighting again.”

I made to turn again, but his hand shot out to stop me.

“Fair and square, my ass,” he snarled.

I stared him dead in the eye, not bothering to hide my anger. “Touch me again, and you’ll lose that hand,” I said.

Pierce gave a derisive snort, but still retracted his arm. “You cheated,” he said. “No one could beat me.”

“Try again,” I said. “Ego isn’t a good way of proving someone did or didn’t cheat.”

His lip curled into a sneer. “I want a rematch,” he repeated. “And if I win, I get the girl.”

He pointed over my shoulder at Kendra. I didn’t look back at her. Instead, I glowered up at him, barely containing my rage. I wanted nothing more than to kick this guy’s ass again, but that could cause problems that we didn’t need right now. The less attention I drew to myself, the better.

“I’m not interested in a rematch,” I said.

“You’re a cheat, and I want my prize,” he retorted. “She’s mine, and we both know it.”

Anger rippled through me as I let out a low growl. “She’s not a prize,” I snarled.

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