Page 45 of Hero & Villain
In other words, I was the pink arm candy to her dominatrix. And the way other people were looking at us, we gave the impression of being her dates.
“Um, Trixie, I’m not sure…” I started.
She gave me a confident smile and looped my arm in hers. “You look great. It’s very pink, but he loves pink.”
I winced. “I think we look like your dates, not like we’re here for other guys.”
Her eyes widened with a flash of pain before her expression became hard. “Dirk knows that I don’t date women. Just because I’m big and strong doesn’t mean I don’t like men.”
Minx jumped in, grabbing her arm. “Of course taller people can still be feminine. You’re gorgeous, Trix. Very pretty. The fact that you aren’t willing to change who you are to meet the expectations of others is my favorite thing about you.”
Minx gave me a fierce look, daring me to suggest anything otherwise. She was so cute, defending the Valkyrie like she was the one protecting her from the cruel world that didn’t understand.
Maybe I was wrong about their dynamic after all.
We walked through the lobby towards the grand arena, drawing gazes that I decided not to notice. It wasn’t any worse than in Boston society, where I wore my reputation as an ice queen like armor. This time, I was arm candy to the dominatrix.
A tall man stopped dead in front of us, a tight black tee sculpted to his ridiculous muscles beneath his jacket. He didn’t notice me, not when he was glowering at Trix. His piercing blue eyes burned with emotion that fed Trix’s own tension I could feel through our looped arms. He had a woman on each arm, both blondes with great teeth and surgically enhanced bodies.
“You’re in my way, Horse,” Trix snarled, forced to stop in front of the man. Minx leaned protectively closer to Trix. I shifted so I could kick off my heel and use it as a weapon.
The man’s scowl smoothed away, and he smiled a devastating grin that made me immediately dislike him. He was gorgeous, raw, sensual, and knew exactly how to level that charm at any woman. He was also Horse, leader of the Band of Horsemen, the second highest ranking team on the circuit. He was even more impressive in person than on his billboard. “For a second I didn’t recognize you, Trix. It’s good to see you out, having fun, not buried beneath engine grease.”
“Did I say that I was having fun?” Trix growled.
He smirked and took his time giving first Minx and then me a once-over that was calculated to be as objectifying as possible, It didn’t feel sincere, not with the intensity he gave Trix once he’d finished his perusal. “I don’t see how it would be possible not to have fun with so much delicious candy. If you’re looking for a fourth, I openly offer my services.” His eyes glinted despite the easy smile. He was furious, but I couldn’t understand why. Maybe everyone in Las Vegas was insane.
“Who did you bet on?” Trix asked, ignoring his offer.
“I never bet on your team, so Bulldog, naturally. Dagger isn’t going to…” he trailed off and actually looked at me, really looked at me, and for a second there wasn’t anything in his eyes other than curiosity. It vanished behind a smirk, and he glanced back at Trix with a different kind of smile. “Stacking the deck? That’s not like you.”
“You don’t know what I’m like. This is an event.”
“And you’re helping out the team?”
“I’m a team player.”
He glanced at me and Minx, and his lip curled. “So I see. Are you sure I can’t offer you a fourth? Teams should be even.”
“I only have two arms, and as you can see, they’re occupied.”
He nodded and then stepped back, dragging the women with him so the path was clear. “You aren’t doing your reputation any favors, Dragon.”
“And you think adding you to my entourage would? If you’re going to worry about someone’s reputation, start with yours. Come on, ladies. We have a show to put on.”
Trixie marched ahead, facing forward, anger burning in her eyes. I looked past her at Minx. She gave me a wry smile and shook her head slightly before going along meekly with the dragon.
“Did you get your bet in?” Trix asked as we walked up the stairs to find our seats.
“Yes,” I nodded. “I put everything on him. How is this going to work exactly?”
Minx frowned at me. “You shouldn’t ever bet everything,” she said with concern. “This is Las Vegas. If you don’t watch your vices, you won’t be able to pay rent.” Her eyes were so serious, luminous, vulnerable. Would Dirk go for her? I couldn’t imagine anyone not automatically being attracted, particularly with his hero complex. She was stunning and sweet, worrying about my money management skills. It was hard not to be jealous of her, but this was an opportunity to study someone, to take on a character that would help me in the future, or today if her type was what Dirk wanted.
No one would actually want to date a chocolate and cello obsessed villain like me.
I smiled brightly. “That’s good advice. I’ll try to be smarter in the future. I just wanted to be stupid.” That explanation made no sense, but it felt like it might be true. This whole debacle was feeling oh-so-stupid.
She gave me an empathetic smile. “I know how that is. Are those our seats? It’s a little close to the platform. We won’t get blood on anything, will we?”
