Page 7 of Wicked Oath
But before our lips can connect, a voice comes through the boom of the crowd.
“What the fuck is going on?” A hand grips my shoulder and pulls me away from Olivia. I stumble but catch myself as I turn to look at who it is.
Owen fucking Donovan.
He and I go way back. Ever since our fathers went into business together and bought this club, Owen’s been coming here to fight, and during that time, I’ve seen how much of an ass he can be. Never smiling. Always ready to judge me for how I am in a fight and how I treat women. I like to fuck and leave them. Owen’s always hated me for that, claiming I have no respect. I live my life for me and no one else. Fuck him.
But there’s also a deeper hatred I feel for Owen. He’s part of the Donovan family, a family that I hate after the patriarch, Patrick Donovan, screwed over my father before he passed away a few years ago. My dad told me on his deathbed that instead of Patrick giving him ownership of the club and other properties they bought together, which my father paid more than fifty percent of. Patrick tricked him. He left my father with nothing, leaving my family almost desolate. Sure, my father’s name is still on the many leases of the properties they bought, but because of Patrick, he stopped seeing a penny from any of the business ventures.
After my father passed, I built up a fortune through my own business dealings unrelated to the Donovans. I’ve tried to put Patrick’s disrespect behind me but seeing Owen at the fighting rings when I’m here is tough. I always thought about getting back at Patrick, but I’ve never found a way to do so.
“Owen,” I growl, “mind your own business.”
“Your business?” Owen snaps back. “That’s my sister you’re practically fucking on the wall.”
Olivia gasps. “We were not!”
Owen stalks past me, where I’m frozen in shock, as he grabs Olivia’s arm. “What are you doing here?”
“We came to see you fight,” Lucy interjects as she walks over. “You were great.”
Owen doesn’t even look at Lucy. “Olivia?”
She slumps. “It’s true. I wanted to make sure Lucy was safe since she really wanted to see you fight. I convinced Garret to take us.”
“Not cool,” Garret grumbles.
“You’re Owen Donovan’s brother?” I ask Olivia, finally shaking off my shock.
She nods.
“Did you know who I am?”
She shakes her head. “I recognized your last name, but I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
“Enough chit-chat,” Owen growls as he turns to me. “Why were you manhandling my sister?”
I shrug. “Because I think she’s fucking hot, and I wanted to talk to her.” I give Olivia a wink as she blushes.
“You didn’t approach her because of who she is?”
“Listen, I didn’t know she was your sister. I’ve never met her. I knew you had a sister, but I know how mafia fathers are. They like to keep their precious wives and daughters locked up tight.”
Owen nods once. “Good. Never talk to her again.” He turns back to Olivia. “Go home. I never want to see you back here again.”
Olivia grabs his arm. “Don’t tell our parents. Please.”
Owen meets her gaze, frowning at her until he sighs. “Fine. I won’t mention it if you promise never to come back here again.”
“I promise,” she says quickly. I want to object, but I just know it’ll piss off Owen. Out of all the people in here, I know he could possibly beat me in a fight. There’s also the possibility that I could beat him. God, it would be glorious to take him on, but Owen and I have never fought in the ring or outside of it.
Owen motions for Garret. “Take them home.”
Lucy pouts. She has a good face for it. “It was nice seeing you, Owen.”
Owen nods, barely looking at her as he turns back to me.
Garret walks Olivia and Lucy out of the room but not before Olivia gives me one more look. I want to run over there and claim her as my own.
