Chapter Twenty-Three Blake
Chapter Twenty-Three
Blake
We arrived at a warehouse titled Warehouse A, and I instantly understood how Heath had the hookup.
Because one of his real-life brothers was in attendance, and the reason his brother was here was because he was running the whole thing.
I knew this because the guys at the door said to head for the bar to check in with Nogoskeski.
Because he’d been put in charge of it by Creighton.
This was Creighton’s warehouse.
How was this happening all over again?
I told him to stay away from me. He responded by showing up in my bedroom and giving me back my things. Now this.
As I was let inside, I got there in time to see Heath’s brother coming down some stairs. He skimmed the group, saw Heath, and went over to hug him.
I felt like I was in a different reality because as I headed their way, Heath began introducing his brother to the rest of their group.
It was Marshall, Palma, some of Palma’s friends from the other time we’d ended up at Creighton’s nightclub, and a few guys that I guessed were the friends Marshall and Heath mentioned.
Palma saw me and squealed, coming over for a hug like the night at the club.
Marshall saw me and gave me a nod but remained at the bar.
He was talking to a girl and, from the looks of it, had no intention of leaving her anytime soon.
I snorted to myself. I could see now how he got in. Needed a date, my ass. He had a date.
Seeing me, Heath came over. His head lowered an inch, and he grabbed at the back of his neck. It was a whole “awe shucks” and sheepish mannerism. He gestured behind him. “Marsh saw my brother’s text, and it spiraled from there. I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for because we hadn’t acknowledged the common thread linking us. Technically. But I was guessing that’s what he was referencing, apologizing for not giving me the heads-up?
“What’s up, little Green?” His brother came with him, standing just behind him. He was tall enough so he had a clear view of me, and he put his hand on Heath’s shoulder. “I didn’t know you knew my brother.”
I didn’t comment on that. It was what it was. I did note, “Guaranteed my presence here has already been called in, but you should still let him know yourself. He might have separate orders for my friends.”
He gave a nod, his face and eyes blank. Guarded.
Palma frowned. “Him who?”
We were getting looks. From the other door security, who mostly seemed like all-new recruits, but also from others in the bar area. A lot of them were with my housemates. If we kept talking, they’d start having questions.
No one responded to Palma.
“I’ll let everyone know who you are.” Heath’s brother was referring to the rest of Creighton’s men.
I sighed. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
He grimaced. “Have to. Sorry. Boss’s order is to take care of you first. Always. In case something happens, you’ll be protected.”
That was the last thing I wanted. To be treated like a princess piranha, in a school of one.
“Awesome. I need a drink.”
I wasn’t ready for my two worlds to implode against each other, but it seemed that’s exactly what was going to happen. I’d only taken three steps for the bar before Lassiter seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
He stopped. Stared at me.
I stopped. Stared at him.
I didn’t care about my housemates’ friends.
I honestly didn’t, but I did care about my housemates, and Palma had waited for me.
So had Marshall. Heath moved around me, going to the bar.
He raised two fingers in the air for the bartender as he kept glancing over his shoulder to me.
All of them were watching me, as was Lassiter.
Well. Crap. This was going to happen.
Lassiter drew closer. “He’s not here, so normally you’d be fine. Except—” He cringed, just a slight one, but I saw it, movement behind him. A second later, my name was being yelled. Loudly.
A giant-sized mastiff puppy in a human’s body was barreling my way.
There was no going back.
“Blake! Blakey. Blakester. Blake, where is she . . .” The crowd parted, or to be more accurate, half of them were shoved out of the way as Levi pushed forward. His eyes lit up, seeing me, and a wide smile took up half of his giant face. “Blake!”
Lassiter took a step to the side just as Levi closed the distance, almost not seeing him. He picked me up and twirled me around. “Blakester. Blake. You’re here. You came to one of our events, willingly.” He was bursting with excitement. And he was still twirling me.
I patted his shoulder. “Put me down, big guy.”
He did, but he took my hands, and we were going in circles still. He danced around with me. This big giant of a man was dancing, and he was beaming. He was so happy.
I melted.
Even Lassiter was trying to hide a grin but couldn’t. As Levi stopped pulling me in circles, he shook his head. “I’ll have them clear out the top loft for your group. Drinks are on us—”
I stopped him, my hand on his arm. “That’s not necessary.”
The corner of his mouth lifted up in a rueful grin. “Okay, but girls are drinking free tonight. It’s a part of the whole promotion. Free drinks bring girls. Girls bring guys. We want more guys here for the fights. Means more bets. Means more money. So, sorry, but that means free drinks for girls.”
Palma was close. Marsh came over from hearing the commotion. Heath remained at the bar, and it looked as if he had no intention of leaving before he got another two drinks.
I dipped my head down. “That’s fine. I’ll—”
Levi wrapped an arm around my back, tugging me against his side, and turned us to face Palma and the rest. “Introduce me to your friends. I’ve been dying to meet them. I’m Levi.” He clasped me against his side tighter, bouncing me. His chest puffed out. “Blake’s brother—”
“Foster brother.”
He frowned, just slightly. “Yeah. Foster brother, but basically her brother.”
Lassiter started laughing, walking away before I could say something. Or hit him.
Palma’s own eyebrows were arched high, but at Levi’s words, she thawed.
Her smile relaxed. She drew even closer, which she needed to do because the inside of the warehouse was packed.
There was no way they weren’t violating fire safety and health code for how many people were packed in here.
Then again, this was an underground fighting ring, and it was organized by Creighton’s men, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
“I had no idea you had a foster brother, or that he was here. I thought you were from Cincinnati?” She held her hand out, taking in all of Levi. “I’m Palma. Blake’s roommate.”
“She is from Cincy.” He dropped his hand from around my shoulders and took hers in both of his, pumping it. “Let’s talk about you, though. Wow. You’re her roommate?”
Marshall gestured to himself, Palma, and toward the bar where Heath was still standing. “We all are. Me. Heath over there. There’s another roommate, but good luck seeing her. She could be a vampire.”
Levi started to shake his hand before the words registered. He stopped, doing a double take at what Marshall just said, along with seeing who Heath was. Confusion crossed his face. Alarm was right after. Then more confusion.
He gave me a questioning look.
I shrugged. “That’s between me and—you know.” I nudged his arm, indicating Marshall again. “Technically, I’m supposed to be here as Marshall’s date.”
Levi had begun to reach for Marshall’s hand to shake, but at my last statement, he doubled over in a coughing fit.
I did not do the nice thing and pat him on the back.
I let him suffer. When he stopped, he fixed me with a dark look, but I caught the amusement too.
“Right. I’m not seeing why you—never mind.
” He took Marshall’s hand and gave him a brisk nod.
“It’s nice to meet you guys. Have you met anyone else from Blake’s life? ”
I cursed out a half laugh, half hiss. “Subtle.”
He just blinked at me, still grinning.
“No. Why?” Palma’s eyes were wide, leaning forward.
Levi’s arm came down around my shoulders, and he tugged me once more into his side.
“Lassiter, the little angry-looking blondie who seems pissed at the world. Him too. He has the braids in his hair, tattoos all over. Though, if you call him our foster brother, he’ll get pissed.
He was more like a foster neighbor. Grew up on the same street with us, but don’t let him fool you.
He basically grew up on Miss Marcie’s couch. ”
Palma turned to look, and as she did, Marshall asked Levi a question. Soon the two began conversing. That was when Palma sidled up to my other side.
Holding her drink close and stirring the paper straw, she said quietly, “I didn’t know you grew up in foster care.”
I searched her face, trying to see if that was a problem. The reactions were always varied. They either looked down their nose at me or began to view me as some sort of threat to them. Positive responses were rare.
“I did. Yes.”
I held my breath, waiting to see how Palma was going to react.
A sheen shone in her eyes, and underneath was kindness, mixed with respect? Was I seeing that correctly? I almost wept. I reached for her instead, hugging her. She was not someone I would have to say goodbye to, at least not right now.
Her face stuttered before she tried to give me a smile. “I’m sorry.”
Sometimes, with some people, they may say something similar, but they didn’t mean it. Palma meant what she said. It made a difference. A big one.
She playfully nudged me. “So. A foster brother and a foster neighbor? You got any more foster siblings around here?”
Oh, boy.