Page 91 of Dare to Dance
Liam’s gaze ate up Norma as though he wanted to jump her bones. Hell, I wouldn’t have blamed him. Her blond hair had grown out some, framing her face more, and the curves on her body were more pronounced, or maybe it was just the tight sweater hugging her big breasts. Aside from that, she was prettier than I remembered.
Pushing to my feet, I touched Ruby’s arm. “I have to get ready. Why don’t you and Norma head out to your seats.”
She pulled away from Norma.
I planted a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”
Norma gasped. “Seriously? Since when? You didn’t tell me, Ruby.” Norma’s glossy lips split into a huge smile. “We have a lot to talk about, girl.”
Norma would keep Ruby distracted, and for that, I breathed a little easier.
Ruby lifted up on her tiptoes. “As big as the universe?”
“As big as the fucking universe.” And I did.
She quickly placed a chaste kiss on my lips then left with Norma.
“Time to tape your fingers, man,” Liam said.
I dropped my ass onto the bench and buried my face in my hands. I was a second from collapsing. I’d never given up on anything in my life. I also had never felt so inept. “Reggie doesn’t stand a chance tonight,” I said more to myself than Liam. The pent-up anger inside me was enough to hurt Reggie badly. If I gave into it, I would ruin the deal with Trent.
“That’s great, dude, because I overheard Gail talking with Jay. She’s hoping you show her your moves.”
Great!I didn’t have the heart to tell Liam that I wouldn’t beat Reggie even though I could. Then again, I shouldn’t get cocky. Maybe Reggie would beat my ass fair and square without me having to throw the fight. Reggie had some key moves that could take me down in a second. In any case, I would at least go a couple of rounds before I threw the fight. That way, Gail would at least see some of my moves.
Liam stuck his hand in his jeans pocket and produced a roll of white tape. “Let’s get started.”
As he covered my fingers in tape, Dillon came in. As usual, Dillon sported his signature ponytail and a scruff-covered jaw. I hadn’t had a chance to call him to fill him in on Raven’s kidnapping.
“Is Ruby out there?” I asked him. I didn’t think Norma would let Ruby take off. Still, I had to be sure. I didn’t need to worry about her too while I was fighting.
“Don’t worry, man,” Dillon said. “Kade, Kody, and Kelton have her surrounded.”
Thank God for my brothers.
Dillon sat down next to me and slapped my back. “Kade just told me. Sorry to hear about all this.”
“Liam, can you give us a minute?” I asked.
Liam cocked his head. “Dude, you need to get ready.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Two minutes.”
He swung his gaze between Dillon and me then shook his head as he walked out.
Dillon waited until the door clicked shut to speak. “I just called Rafe. I asked him to swing by Baker’s shipping company. He’ll also check out his dealerships.”
“Thanks,” I said. “But don’t get your men in a bind with the cops. Besides, that waitress Alex probably has a hand in Raven’s disappearance.”
Dillon’s posture went rigid as his nose ring glinted off the lights from above. “What?”
I hit a nerve. “Talk,” I demanded.
“I’m just surprised that she would have anything to do with kidnapping.”
“Dude, she works for Trent. She wrangles the women of the night for him.”
“I’ve known Alex for two years since she breezed into the city to find her baby sister. Like mine, hers left home because of an abusive father. She searched endlessly for her sister until she got a call from the cops one night. They found her sister dead in a dumpster in some alley. Someone had done a number on her. Since then, Alex has made it her mission to find out what happened. The cops followed leads, but then they dried up. It became a cold case. Then she got a lead about Tommy, who might be involved with her sister. Instead of confronting Tommy, she took a job there to play detective. She soon found out that Tommy is all about fights, and like my brother, he’s a loan shark or steals a car here and there. Petty shit. I just assumed that she was still working at that dump because she held out hope.” He rested his elbows on his knees.
