Chapter 46 – Sydney #2
He settles into his seat, and I let myself relax against him. We fit so perfectly together, me tucked under his arm, his hand on my leg.
“Thank you for the dress,” I say softly, running my fingers over the hem. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He gives my leg a light squeeze. “It suits you.”
He’s not wrong. Even I can admit I look phenomenal in it. Jade’s response to the photo I texted her was a series of heart emojis and crying faces that filled up my entire phone screen, and somehow perfectly encapsulated how I felt wearing it.
“But, for the record,” he adds. “The dress is for your comfort, not mine. You could wear a paper bag tonight and still be the most beautiful woman in the building. I simply didn’t want you to feel underdressed.”
I wriggle against him.
“So, where are you taking me?” I ask, finally giving in to my curiosity.
“Somewhere I doubt you’ve ever been,” he replies cryptically. “I want to show you a little of our world, Sydney. My world. And I think you’ll like it.”
The Golden Rings casino is nowhere near as large as Sterling Silver, Alec’s pride and joy, but it’s every bit as glamorous.
I stare up at the glittering facade as Alec helps me out of the car, looping his arm around my waist. There’s no question in anyone’s mind about our relationship to one another, as he stoops down to plant a kiss on my hair.
Alec holds me like his queen, like he wants to show me off.
The town car pulls away as soon as we exit, making room for another vehicle to pull up to the waiting valet.
Unlike the last time Alec brought me to one of his casinos, he doesn’t guide me toward the main entrance and into the casino itself.
Instead, we slip past the crowds and toward an auxiliary building, off to the side, where a line of people waits to be let in, already stretching around the block.
“Mr. Sterling!” a man greets us, waving us over to a side door. “And Mrs. Sterling, welcome!”
I glance at Alec, expecting him to correct the man.
He doesn’t.
I’m reminded that I have his actual wife’s ring, hidden in my suitcase back at the hotel right now. I wonder what he would say if he knew. But I’m not giving up any of my secrets until I start to get some of his.
“Jacob, good to see you,” Alec says pleasantly, letting go of my waist for the exact length of time it takes to shake the man’s hand. He returns that hand to my waist so quickly I barely note its absence. “Sydney, this is Jacob. He manages most of the talent we showcase here at the Golden Rings.”
I don’t have a chance to ask what “the talent” entails before Jacob reaches out, taking my hand and giving it a gentle shake.
“Not most.” He chuckles. “Just a select few, really. But I do manage the talent I’m sure you’re here to see tonight.”
Who? I wonder. But before I can ask, he’s gesturing us forward, and we’re moving again.
“Follow me,” Jacob says, pulling us away from the line and crowds and toward a nondescript but guarded door. The giant of a man standing in front of it doesn’t even hesitate before opening it, giving Alec a nod in greeting as we follow Jacob inside.
“We had your private box stocked with food and refreshments for tonight,” Jacob says as we trail behind him.
The hallway he takes us down is decorated in deep purples and silvers, incredibly ostentatious.
“You should have everything that you need, but don’t hesitate to ring the bar if there’s anything you’re missing. ”
“And the staff is aware I’ve requested privacy?” Alec asks.
“Absolutely,” Jacob answers without hesitation. “They know to keep their distance unless asked. And security knows to keep the other private boxes clear. Except for your list of acceptable visitors, of course.”
“Of course,” Alec says with a smirk.
Jacob stops at a set of elevators and grins at me. “I hope you enjoy the show, Mrs. Sterling,” he says pleasantly. “It’s a pleasure to have you here.”
Alec’s private box has a long black leather couch, two tables stacked with food and beverages, and a wet bar.
It also has one full wall made entirely of glass, with a handrail guard separating the room from the window, and an expansive view of the fighting ring below.
I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. I’m not sure what I expected, where I’d hoped Alec might bring me tonight, but to a professional fight? That’s not what I had in mind.
I try to disguise my disappointment by hiding my face from him, going straight to the window, and staring down at the crowds of people filtering in, filling rows upon rows of seats. I put my hands on the guard rail and lean forward just a little, watching all those thousands of faces below me.
Alec’s phone rings before he has a chance to join me. I expect him to silence it, but to my surprise, he answers.
“What do you need, Tony? I’m busy tonight,” Alec snaps into the phone, not bothering with a greeting.
I can’t hear what’s being said on the other side, but my ears perk up when I hear Alec again.
“Then verify the number of guns that were in this shipment. If there’s a discrepancy, call Sebastian with the precise amount, and we will sort it out. ”
He doesn’t say goodbye. He just ends the call and comes to stand next to me, his hand on the rail close enough that he can stroke my pinky with his.
“Guns?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, wondering if he meant for me to hear or not.
Alec gives me a long look before he nods. “I told you I’m done with secrets,” he says softly. He slips his hand over mine, entwining our fingers.
Maybe it should bother me. Maybe he’s right to be worried that learning more about his world might drive me away. But I saw him murder a man in cold blood for hurting me. Trafficking guns feels light in comparison.
“I’ve never been to a fight before,” I admit, changing the subject. Truthfully, I’ve never wanted to see one, never had the slightest inclination to watch grown men hurt each other for sport.
“I’m not surprised,” Alec tells me. He turns to watch me, and I can’t bring myself to look at him. I concentrate on the people below us as, one by one, all the empty seats begin to fill. “This isn’t something you would seek out on your own, is it?”
I shrug. “No,” I answer honestly. “No offense, but it seems a bit boring to me.”
Alec makes a small affirmative sound deep in his throat. “I think you might enjoy it,” he tells me smoothly. “If you give it a chance.”
I hum in answer, a noncommittal noise. Smirking, Alec plants a kiss on my hair and moves toward the wet bar. He returns with a flute of champagne for me, and a glass of something dark and golden for himself.
“So, how does this work?” I ask, figuring I might as well put in the effort of feigning interest.
“There will be two fights tonight,” Alec informs me, sipping his drink. “The first will be a warm-up. An opening act, if you will. Two good fighters, decent but not great, to get the crowd going.”
“I see,” I say, frowning at the ring below us. Great. So, I have to watch more than one of these. Maybe I should be drinking an espresso martini to keep myself awake.
“Each fight consists of three rounds, with a break between them,” he explains. “The rounds last for five minutes, or until a fighter taps out. Or is unable to continue fighting.”
I take a sip of my drink, trying to look interested.
When I lower my glass, Alec is watching me with a playful smile on his face. “Lend me a little trust tonight, Sydney,” he murmurs. He glides a finger over my arm, raising goosebumps on my skin.
Licking a drop of champagne from my lower lip, I nod.
I’m on my second glass when the first fight starts.
The announcer steps into the ring, listing the stats and credentials of the first round of fighters. The crowd cheers wildly as the men enter and tap their hands together, dipping their chins to one another.
When the bell rings, Alec moves to stand behind me, placing one hand on either side of mine on the guard rail.
They circle each other for a few seconds, and when the first punch lands, I wince. Not at the violence of it, but the surprise. It’s fast. Much faster than I expected.
The next hit makes me jump, my muscles tensing. But I’m ready for the one after that. And the one after that. Excitement pools deep in my belly, growing as I watch.
To my untrained eye, the fighters feel evenly matched. For every hit that sends one reeling, another is returned with equal force. It’s mesmerizing, enticing.
I can’t bring myself to look away.
“How are you liking the fight?” Alec asks, in a voice I wouldn’t call gentle.
“I like it. I… I think I might like it too much,” I confess, letting the truth sink in. My eyes are glued to the men circling each other, testing each other’s weaknesses. I can see the crowd cheering in my peripheral vision, excitement growing as another punch lands hard.
To my surprise, Alec laughs.
I glance over my shoulder at him. “I’m not kidding. What kind of person am I becoming?” I shake my head. “Who likes this sort of thing?”
“Oh, darling.” He chuckles darkly behind me. “You’re not becoming anything. It’s already who you are, who you’ve always been. And you’re not alone. This country was built on violence. Our economy practically runs on it.”
I chew my lip at that, not liking the way it makes me feel. When I turn away from him, he reaches out, taking my jaw in his hand.
“Sydney.” Alec’s voice is much darker now, the grip on my jaw tight. “You will let yourself enjoy this tonight. For me.”
Swallowing, I obey, turning back to the fight.
Alec holds my head in place, fingers digging a little hard into my skin. His breath is warm against my cheek when he bends down to speak.
“Watch, Sydney. Don’t assume morality. Don’t fight who you are. Simply watch.”
I do.
“Violence is never pretty,” Alec tells me. In the ring, the fighters towel off their sweat, gulping down water before pouring some over their faces and chests. “But it can be beautiful.”
When the bell rings again, I move a little closer.