Page 10 of Desert King

“Fuck off, Edge.”

I jerk my elbow back.

His eyes shift over my shoulders at the Royal Bastards then he leans down in my ear. “I can hook you up with a ride.”

“No, thank you. That’d make me what? … owe you three?”

“Listen, doll. Your car’s shot to hell. It ain’t worth the repair. You need a new ride.”

“No shit, Sherlock.”

His face remains stoic, but his eyes twinkle just a bit. He points to the bar. “Go, sit your ass down. When I’m done kicking these Royal Bastards outta here. We’ll talk.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t patronize me.”

“Whose ass you gonna kick?” Edge turns and Tarak’s fist clips his chin.

“Fuck, no!” A few men from the Scorpions throw down.

It’s an all-out brawl and I’m square in the middle. A strong pair of arms grab me by the waist. I’m thrown fireman-style over a pair of wide shoulders. “Time out! We got a lady coming through!” It’s Rog, carrying me. I’m upside-down gaping like a fish when they all pause, waiting for him to carry me to safety.

“Is this a joke?”

“Nah, it’s a real fight. Tarak’s out for blood.”

“That’s so juvenile.”

“If you knew the back story, maybe you wouldn’t think so. Neither of them are gonna be happy until the other is dead and gone. That’s why I’m sittin’ this one out to have a drink with you.”

“Won’t your wife mind?”

“Dev? Not unless you plan on being inappropriate with me.”

“Me? Inappropriate? That’ll be the day.”

“Maybe you should be? You got a second chance at life, doll. Live it.”

“I’m trying,” I grimace. “But my damn car gave out three hours south on I-40.”

“Ouch.”

“Tell me about it.”

“And they brought you here?”

I nod.

“Well, shit. Me and the boys will take ya’ somewhere proper and help you get everything sorted.”

“Thanks. But I doubt your friends will be much help. I doubt they’ll even be able to see.”

“You haven’t seen Tarak fight. That boy has Apache blood. No one fights fiercer.”

“It’s dozens on three.”

“No, it ain’t. Turn and look, sugar.”

Stunned, I turn. They cleared the tables and chairs and formed a circle. It’s fight club in the Triple XXX. Edge vs. Tarak. Both have taken their cuts and shirts off.

---