Page 116 of Ignite

“Just remember, he knows what he’s doing, okay?” Declan chimes in.

“Hallie is a nurse, Dec. She can cope with a few cuts and some blood,” Finn counters.

I don’t want Conan to get hurt.

As we pull up outside the stadium, Finn helps me out of the car and I walk in beside him.

The place is buzzing, mainly with men. Crowds of people chanting and cheering. I look over to the big metal cage in the center.

The two guys in there are beating the shit out of each other. Blood sprays from the smaller one’s nose. I stand still, transfixed on the violence.

“Come on, we gotta get up front.” Finn ushers me along.

A bottle flies past my head and the group surrounds me. They’re like my own bodyguards; even Charlotte has a scary look in her eyes, like she could take down any one of these men.

Declan and Finn push their way through so we’re at the front, past the barrier, and finally I can breathe.

“This is crazy,” I mutter.

“Crazy for a first date, yeah,” Declan says under his breath, and Finn jabs his elbow in his ribs.

“What?”

“Oh, just to warn you, all three of them argue constantly. Out of love, apparently,” Charlotte whispers.

“It’s kinda cute.”

Both the men glare at me and Charlotte giggles.

“I’m going to go check on Con. I’ll be back,” Finn announces as he strides away.

Charlotte and Declan stay on either side of me, again, like they’re protecting me.

Conan’s face flashes up on the huge screen. Videos of him training, clips from his previous fights.

My jaw is on the floor.

Fuck. He’s hot. But he looks so angry. I almost don’t recognize him.

Nerves wash over me. I can hear what feels like every person talking in the room, and the flashing lights are making me dizzy.

Chapter 37

CONAN

“Is Hallie okay?” I ask as soon as Finn barges into my room.

“Yes. She’s fine. We said we’d look out for her.”

I nod, adrenaline already burning through my veins as I jog on the spot.

“You ready?” Finn asks, stepping aside as I punch the air.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He nods, sliding on his cap.

“I’m saying this out of brotherly love—and because, for some reason, I think Hallie’s good for you—but don’t lose your head in there. She’s watching.”

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