Page 86 of Dare to Dance
I wanted to kiss her for that last statement. I was expecting her to say, “Don’t do it. Your career is important, blah, blah, blah.”
Blood comes first.
“I want a piece of Tommy before you.” Her small hands were balled into fists.
That’s my girl.Her mood had instantly changed after she’d confessed to Ms. Waters about her illegal fighting, the money she owed Trent, and Trent’s threats to bury her case with a judge he knew. Needless to say, Ms. Waters wasn’t too happy with Ruby or me.
“There will be consequences for your actions,” she’d said, wagging a finger at Ruby. “Major consequences. I want both of you to stay put. We’re not through.”
As soon as she had left the room, Ruby and I snuck out of the house. We would both deal with the aftermath of the consequences once we had Raven in our arms.
“Baby, do all the damage you want. Just save some for me.” That was, if Tommy was even inside. Or maybe we would get lucky and find Trent inside, or even Raven.
Nah, Trent wouldn’t have been that stupid. But a father could hope.
Firefly was like a dungeon—dim lighting, musty odor, sticky floor, and cold atmosphere. Pete’s head swiveled around like a scene from a horror movie. Okay, I was exaggerating a little.
“You’re not welcome here,” he snapped, pressing his meaty hands into the bar as though he was ready to vault over it. I was ready for him to do just that. Instead, he watched us as we wound around the bar and tables that were inhabited by a handful of people.
“I work here, and I need Kross with me,” Ruby spat out in a voice that sounded as though a man occupied her body.
Pete cocked his head as he regarded Ruby. I couldn’t quite grasp if I was turned on or freaked out by her sudden transformation. The woman I loved was deathly determined to chop off heads, and for that, I was more turned on.
Pete took long strides until he was blocking the hall entrance. “Where do you think you’re going?” He crossed large arms over his chest.
“Let us through, Pete.” Ruby’s voice was saturated with sugar and all female this time. “We’re not here to cause trouble. We just need to speak to Tommy.”
Pete glared at me. “He’s not here.”
I almost threw him the finger, but fighting with the asshole would only delay our mission, and time was of the essence. I had four hours until my fight and less than thirty minutes to get my ass to the gym for my pre-fight warm-up and strategy meeting with Jay.
“I’m allowed back,” Ruby said, using her sweet tone again.
Pete frowned. “Not anymore. Tommy wanted me to tell you you’re fired.”
Out of nowhere, Ruby throat-punched Pete. His face darkened to a deep red as he choked, holding his neck.
That dire need to kiss her coursed through me.
“My child’s life is on the line. So go fuck yourself.” Ruby ducked under his arm and ran down to Tommy’s office. I hesitated for a split second to make sure he didn’t get any crazy notions to hurt her.
His eyes bulged out of his bald head. “I didn’t know. Still, you got ten minutes before I call the cops.” His voice was strangled as though someone was squeezing the life out of him.
He could call in the cavalry. I wasn’t leaving until I got answers. I rushed into the office.
“I don’t know where Trent is.” Tommy leaned back in his desk chair as though he didn’t have a care in the world, while Ruby loomed in front of his desk, ready to pounce.
“Liar,” I said as I stormed in, kicking the piles of boxes out of my way until I was standing next to him. “You tell us where he is”—I plucked him out of his chair, grabbed his ostrich-like throat, and clamped down on it—“or else there’s a hospital room with your name on it waiting for you.”
Ruby darted around to Tommy’s other side.
Tommy shifted his dark gaze between Ruby and me.
“Tell us where Trent is,” Ruby commanded in that low voice that I was beginning to find sexy.
He opened his mouth, so I eased up on the stronghold. He gulped down air.
“Tommy, we’re talking about a little girl, my little girl,” Ruby said. “If she gets hurt, you could go to jail for kidnapping.”
