Page 4 of Wicked Oath
The bouncer looks at me more closely, more interest in his eyes. “Fine,” he says after a beat, opening the rope. “Go in.”
Lucy lifts her hand for a high five, which I slowly return as we step inside a world much different from the one I’m used to.
Instantly, I notice the loud sounds of music, shouting, and grunting. It’s a symphony of noise, making me sweat harder.
We turn a corner and enter the main room, where a large ring is in the middle, with two men already fighting inside. I don’t recognize either of them.
A sea of people surround the stage, making it tough to walk through. Lucy points toward a booth near the back of the room, where we settle in and watch the show.
Garret watches enrapt as Lucy and I huddle together. “This is all so … violent,” I say, scrunching up my nose as one of the guys punches the other one in the nose, making blood spurt out.
“I know,” Lucy breathes. “Isn’t it exciting?”
“I guess,” I mutter, slouching down in my seat. I can’t risk getting spotted and the word getting back to my dad. The fact he owns the place means a lot of people here might know who I am. Then again, my dad would never imagine me here in a million years, so …
Once the men on the stage are done, another pair of guys take their place.
I recognize one of them this time. My brother.
Owen Donovan, next in line to everything our father owns, stands with his chest puffed out, his eyes set in a glare as he stares down the man opposite him, a bulky, bald guy. Owen is shirtless, which I’m sure elates Lucy. Since he’s my brother, his bare chest is kind of gross, but glancing at Lucy, it’s like she’s looking at God right before her. With his dark hair and muscular body, I see even more women around the room checking him out.
I roll my eyes and settle in to watch the fight.
Even though my brother is leaner than his bulky counterpart, he beats the guy in a matter of seconds with just a couple of punches in the first round. As they start the second round, Lucy leans over to me and says, “Owen is amazing, isn’t he?”
“Sure.”
Lucy doesn’t even hear me as she keeps her eyes on my brother. Owen quickly wins the second and then third rounds. A round of applause sounds off, with Lucy standing up and shouting.
I grab her arm. “Sit back down,” I hiss.
Fortunately, it’s so loud in the room that Owen doesn’t even notice. He walks off stage and into a back room.
“I should go thank him.” Lucy starts to get out of the booth.
“No.” I grab her arm again and make her sit back down next to me. “You’ll get us caught.”
Garret glances over. “Caught? I thought your dad gave you permission to be here.”
I pause, and Lucy and I exchange a glance. The next fighters walk on stage. “Oh, look,” I say, pointing. “Let’s watch this.”
Garret shrugs and turns back to the ring. I let go of a deep breath, and Lucy winks at me.
I cross my arms as I watch the next fight.
It only takes a second for my entire body to light on fire when my eyes focus on one of the fighters. A man with dark hair that brushes his ears and tattoos covering his entire chest and arms, standing with purpose. He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life.
My body responds to him even though we’ve never spoken, even though he’s not even looking at me. I’ve never seen him before, but something deep inside me is calling me to him.
The ref announces the fighters’ names, and I pay attention. When the ref sayshisname, I sit up straighter.
James Kelly.
I know that name even though I’ve never met him.
The Kelly family is the other mob family in the area, owning the other half of Boston. I know the Kelly’s have worked closely with my father in the past, but I’ve never seen James around. I heard he took over as leader after his father passed away a few years ago, which means I’m looking at a mob boss.
Once the ref tells them to begin, James attacks with a ferocity that makes me both scared and aroused, a combination I’ve never felt before.
