Page 52 of Wicked Minds
He steps back, his gaze dropping to do a once-over of my outfit. “Fuck, Riley, you’re killing me in that outfit. You look amazing. Sexy as hell.” There’s an amusing twist to his lips as he asks, “Please tell me you didn’t wear that tonight for some douchebag here. I’ll probably get my ass handed to me, but I’ll totally take him on if you did.”
The twinkle in his eyes gives away his teasing, and I shove playfully at his arm. “Royce said he was fighting tonight.”
The corners of Logan’s lips kick up. “Ahh, well, if he’s the douchebag, then I guess I can let him have this one.” His head cants to the side, eyes flaring with heat. “And you thought you’d cheer him on in that sexy little outfit? Or perhaps you’re here to kiss his bruises better. Damn, perhaps I should get in the ring too.”
“Don’t you dare, you have a long and prosperous hockey career to think of.”
“Mmm, would be worth giving up for a few Riley kisses.”
“You’re incorrigible,” I grumble with a roll of my eyes.
Logan only grins brighter before taking my hand and pulling me through the crowd.
“Where are we going?”
“To find Royce. He won’t believe me if I tell him you’re here, and I wanna see the look on his face when he sees you.”
“Grayson isn’t here, is he?” I blurt, head swiveling as I push onto my toes to try and see above the crowd.
Logan shakes his head, glancing at me over his shoulder. “Nah, dude has been pretty absent…”
He leaves the sentence hanging but doesn’t need to finish it for me to understand. I imagine it’s been tense in theirhouse since Christmas Day. It was already tetchy before then. Questions stack on the tip of my tongue, though I swallow them back for now and instead ask, “Shouldn’t Royce be doing whatever he needs to do to get in the zone before his fight? Maybe we shouldn’t bother him.”
Logan’s pace slows, a frown on his face when he stops and turns to look at me. “You’re probably right. He’s always at his moodiest before a fight. Best to wait until after.”
As if on cue, the next fight is announced, and the crowd goes wild when they hear Royce’s fighter name.
“Shit. I didn’t realize he was up next. I promised I’d be back before he was called.”
Looking torn, Logan frowns down at me.
“Go,” I urge. “He needs you. I’ll be fine.”
Glancing around, his frown only deepens. “Yeah, not a chance, Shortcake. No way in hell am I leaving you alone in here. Where’s Tara? Does her brother have someone keep an eye on the two of you when you’re here? He better. No fucking way is it safe for either of you to be alone.”
I huff in indignation even as warmth blooms in my chest at his concern. “Yes, he does. And we stick close to the bar.”
He nods, seeming appeased as he marches me back through the crowd. Spotting Tara, I point her out, and Logan walks me over. She smiles when she sees me, arching a brow in a silent question that I deliberately ignore.
“You’re Tara?” Logan asks, voice gruff. He waits until she nods. “Don’t let my girl out of your sight. I’ve gotta go babysit Royce’s moody ass, but I’ll be back as soon as his fight is over.”
Tara nods, expression serious, and I don’t bother to restrain the shake of my head.
“We’ll be fine,” I assure Logan, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. He nods, giving me one last lingering look before storming off through the crowd toward the ring.
“My girl?” Tara laughs the second he’s out of earshot.
I shove playfully at her shoulder, not even trying to suppress my smile that probably shines brighter than the moon. “Shut up.”
Shaking her head, she drags me away from the bar and toward the ring. “Come on, let’s watch your other man beat the shit out of someone for fun.”
17
RILEY
“Ruthless reign, no pain, all gain!”
The crowd goes crazy as Royce, his expression stoic, eyes hard, and body slick with sweat and spattered with his opponent’s blood, goes in for the kill. It’s obvious to anyone paying attention that he’s been toying with his opponent for the entirety of the match, and the cat-and-mouse game he’s playing has had the crowd salivating as they scream for bloodshed.
