Page 77 of There Is No Love

Luka

Ipulledtothe gate, the guards opening it. The two of us made our way to the heart of the city mostly in silence. Me, still fuming. “You want to tell me what that was all that about?” Nick asked me.

“I just had to get out of there,” I turned and looked at him, “can I trust you?”

“If it’s going to hurt Al, no.”

“Has she been seeing anyone else that you know of?”

“Al seeing someone?” He laughed, “not that I know of. Stefano doesn't exactly give her a lot of time to be sneaking off with someone.”

I nodded, staring out the front window. So apparently he didn't know. Or was it all a lie? Was she making the whole thing up to push me away? There were moments when I thought she was developing feelings for me too. But then as quick as that feeling would come, it would be gone again. She would go cold.

“Why do you ask? Do you think she has?”

I glanced at him and shook my head. “I don’t know if it was just something she said. But I honestly don’t know when she is telling me the truth and when she is lying to me.”

“Al doesn’t really lie. Except to Stefano, but there are reasons for that. Did she say there was someone? Oh, take a left here, then go three blocks. The old red brick building will be on the left.”

“I don’t know if I should say anything.”

“Look, I would give my life for Al. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“She said she was hooking up with one of the men. At first, she said she loved him, then she changed it and said she needs him.” I ground my teeth together, my jaw clenching, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“If she has been, they have been very good at keeping it a secret,” he shook his head, “I have no idea who it would even be.” He turned and looked at me as I pulled up to the building, “you genuinely care about her don’t you?”

I shut the car off and looked at him, “yeah. I do.”

“Well then, I will do some digging to see what I can find out. Are you sure you want to fight tonight?”

I nodded watching as people walked in and out of the building, “I’m sure. It will get my mind off her.”

“It’s your funeral.”

I followed him as we made our way through the crowd. “Give me a second.”

I nodded, watching him walk over and talk to some man. I looked around, this wasn’t quite as seedy as it was back home, the building was actually nice. Real lights and an actual fighting ring in the middle surrounded by chairs and bleacher seats. I noticed some people looking at me. A couple of women smiled, showing way too many teeth. They walked over, one of them putting her hand on my arm, “I know you.” The short blond said, her hand squeezing my bicep.

“Oh yeah?” I remove her hand from my arm, “I don’t know you.”

“You are the one they call Savage, right?” The dark-haired girl next to her looked up at me.

I nodded, becoming increasingly annoyed with them. There were always girls at these fights looking to hook up with the fighters.

“I saw you fight when I was in Bellissindale,” the blond leaned into her dark-haired friend. Their heads against each other as they looked up at me. “We could show you a good time later. We are,” she looked at her friend.

“Very flexible, and submissive,” the dark-haired replied, giggling.

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh, come on,” the blond ran her hand up my arm again, “we know how Luka The Savage likes the ladies.”

I grabbed her hand, tossing her into her friend. “I said I am not interested,” I held up my ring, “married.”

The blond scoffs, stumbling from my push. “Ok jerk,” turning, they finally walked off.

“Trouble?” Nick laughed walking up.

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