Chapter 18
ASHER
The week has passed in a whirlwind of sex with Lily. It’s like we can’t keep our hands off each other, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s fucking ace, actually. However, I get the feeling Lily is using it to distract herself from whatever she and Barrett discussed in her bedroom the night he sprung us.
It’s almost as if she’s paranoid about something.
At first, I thought her worry was fear of getting sprung by the twins, but there have been moments when she didn’t know I was looking, that I spotted her peeking through the blinds at the front of the house or peering out into the backyard while standing in the pitch-black house.
It’s odd, and definitely not linked to what she and I have going on.
I’ve tried to talk to her a couple of times about it, concerned that her worries are about more than her business, but she shrugs it off and deflects like a master. It makes me wonder how many times she’s done that over the years. Deflected to change the conversation with her ex-husband, Alex.
Lily Bennett has secrets.
Secrets I want to know.
Working at the auto repair shop has kept me out of trouble. Steve started showing me how to rebuild an engine yesterday, and I found myself going over what I learnt in my head when I couldn’t sleep, instead of drooling over ways to make Lily come.
I guess it’s good to have a distraction sometimes. It’s certainly helped me not walk around with a hard cock twenty-four, seven.
The Rough House is packed tonight, the crowd twice the size of last week’s. As I weave through the milling people, I see some familiar faces from back in high school, and the usual chicks loitering about trying to get the attention of the fighters or anyone flashing their cash around.
“You ready for your first big fight?” Shiv asks, his cropped silver hair a little longer than it was last week.
“Yep.” I offer him a nod, looking around at the other brutes gearing up to get in the cage.
“We’re headlining you tonight. Don’t be surprised if you lose,” Shiv mutters, and my brows shoot up as he continues.
“Headlining means you’re fighting against the best, and after your surprising show of endurance last week, the boss wants you to feature.
But you’re new at this. It might take a while to find the right slot for you. ”
“You know what they say about judging a book, right?” I smirk, and Shiv chuckles.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that you should always judge a book by its cover.”
“Then I guess you’re used to being taken off guard.” I smirk and Shiv grunts.
“Time will tell. Have you always been such a cocky bastard?”
I shoot him a wink. “You know it.”
I leave Shiv as he throws his head back laughing, and weave through the crowd to get to the back of the basement so I can get my head in the zone. I called Gordy earlier to see if he could help tonight, but he ghosted me, so now I’ve gotta figure out how to wrap my own fucking hands.
“When Lily called and told me you were doing this, I was a little shocked.”
I spin at hearing the voice to see none other than Lily’s cousin Barrett behind me.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss and he smirks.
“Making sure you don’t get your arse killed.”
Usually dressed in an impeccable suit, Barrett stands before me in jeans, shit kickers, and a snug black t-shirt with a leather jacket over the top.
He’s dressed to blend in.
“That won’t be a problem.” I grin at him. “The other guy should be scared of me.”
Barrett’s smirk grows wider. “I can’t believe she’s into your cocky bullshit.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t need babysitting. You can leave.”
Dropping down onto the bench that runs along the back wall, I watch Barrett glance around before shaking his head.
“Nah. I think I’ll stay.” He turns back. “And watch you get your arse handed to you.”
I shoot him a glare, and he chuckles before snatching up the tape, gesturing to my hands.
“Let’s get you ready.”
I don’t say anything as I lift my hands and let Lily’s cousin wrap them. He’s good at it. Obviously, he’s done this before.
Lily and I haven’t really spoken again about me fighting. I kinda thought she’d forgotten, or accepted it, but I can tell now she’ll never be happy about me getting in the cage. Which isn’t a bad thing. It means she cares.
Maybe I should invite her to watch me one night. I bet she’d secretly love the violence of it all.
One by one the fights progress, only one winner walking from the cage reminding me that if I do lose, I could end up needing a quick dash to the hospital. Or worse… the morgue.
“Hey, Asher.” The irritating tone of Trudi’s voice grates on me, and I glance up to see her hovering nearby wearing a blue top that barely covers her tits, and a black skirt that’s so short her arse cheeks are playing peekaboo.
“Trudi,” I say uncaringly, which just makes the slag even more determined.
“Want me to give you a massage before you fight?”
Barrett turns his head to take in the pesky bitch, and he frowns at her.
“Back off, Barbie. Asher isn’t interested.”
Her brows hitch. “Excuse me. Who the hell are you?”
Barrett stands to his full height, towering over Trudi as she cranes her neck.
“Your worst fucking nightmare if you don’t piss off and leave us alone.”
Trudi’s lips resemble a fish as she fights to find a comeback, before her furious gaze darts to me for help.
“What he said.” I glare at her, hoping she will finally get the fucking message.
I mean, I know I let her think she had a chance, but that was just to get Lily’s attention. I don’t need Trudi anymore.
My words flip a switch, and Trudi’s face turns to a sneer.
“You’re gonna regret treating me like trash, Asher.”
I scoff. “Sure. Whatever.”
Spinning on her heel, Trudi storms into the crowd, and Barrett turns back to me, chuckling.
“Bitches like that will shank you in your sleep.”
I grin and nod. “Bitches like that better watch out for my woman.”
Barrett’s smile falls, and he glares at me. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Whoa. Calm down.” I frown, holding up my hands. “She’s a fiery redhead, is all I meant.”
He eyes me as if he’s trying to read my fucking thoughts, and a moment later he huffs, turning his back on me to watch the last few minutes of the fight before mine.
I’m twitchy as fuck with Barrett here. I can’t believe Lily sent him. How am I meant to prove to her that I’m not a kid anymore if she does shit like this?
By the time it’s my turn to make my way into the cage, I’m a twisted knot of anger, and I’m more than ready to unleash it.
Lil’ Ray has been the champ over the last few weeks, and my opponent for tonight. Why the fuck they call him Lil’ Ray is beyond me. He’s a fucking hulking giant. His mere presence sucks the oxygen from the room.
“Fuck,” I whisper, and Barrett grunts from behind me.
“Fuck’s right. Not only is he built like a brick shithouse, but Barbie has chosen her side.”
My eyes move past the wall of muscle to see Trudi sneering at me, her dainty hands massaging the trunk-like arm of my opponent.
Damn it. Last week she gave me a good tip that helped me win. Tonight, she’s betting against me.
“Game plan?” I ask Barrett as my eyes remain on the beast, and in my peripheral, I see Barrett turn to me.
“Don’t die?”
It comes out more like a question rather than advice, and a laugh bubbles out of my throat as I take him in.
“You’re really fucking crap at this.”
He shrugs. “If it looks like he’s going to kill you, I’ll have to take him out.”
“Take him out?” I frown, and Barrett nods, his eyes locked on the headliner as he opens his leather jacket to reveal a gun. “Dude. What the fuck? Why do you have that here?”
Barrett turns his dark eyes on me. “You may not realise this, kid, but this isn’t just a casual fucking street fight.
You’re in gangster territory now, and we are standing in their version of Switzerland.
That fucker over there is a member of the Black Taipans, and you have somehow found yourself in the middle of a gang war. ”
A gang war?
What the fuck?
Barrett points to a group of ratty looking fuckers, who’d look homeless if it weren’t for the gold chains they’re wearing around their necks, and the numbers seven and eight hanging from them.
“You win and not only will you have the Black Taipans gunning for your arse, but the Seven Eights are gonna hit hard to recruit you.”
My eyes widen. “No?”
“Yes,” he rasps.
“How the hell do you know about this stuff?” I shoot my gaze back to him, and he shrugs.
“Business.”
What the fuck do gangs have to do with the type of business he’s in?
The bell rings before I can ask any more questions, and I realise I should probably hightail it outta here. I need the coin though, and I need to feel bones break, so I stay and hope I can somehow take this guy out without fucking killing myself in the process.
Inside the cage, my eyes lock onto the blown pools of my opponent, Lil’ Ray. I’m surprised to see his eyes like that. He’s obviously on something. Maybe whatever it is makes him crazier, but I have to hope it works in my favour… I’m gonna need all the help I can get.
My cheek explodes in pain as he snaps out a quick hit, the blow rattling my fucking brain. I manage to duck his next swing, ramming my fist into his ribs as I go, which barely rattles him.
Fuck.
We dance around each other for a bit, the crowd getting pissy with us because nothing is happening, but then I see the moment he decides to change things up.
He may be a quick draw with his swings, but his brain is slow.
Then he gets himself into position to charge me. Like a fucking bull, just like the other guy from last week.
Lil’ Ray storms across the mat towards me like a giant in slow motion, and it’s easy enough to leap out of the way before he makes contact. Seizing my opportunity, I leap on his back like a crazed monkey and fight like my life depends on it.