9. Luna
NINE
LUNA
After her breakdown earlier that left her feeling especially fragile, Luna needed a night out.
Her leather pants were tight around her hips, but they made her look extravagant. She wore a cropped black long sleeve shirt, knowing the arena was always freezing inside. Cecilia helped her curl her hair and she decided to wear a little extra makeup to hide the redness around her eyes after her cry session earlier.
After Luna had spit out the nonsense from her mind to Gianna earlier that morning, the blonde forced them into the car, where they drove back to the apartment and woke up Cecilia and Blair. Luna confessed the dream and everything Dante and Allister had said, blurting out a million thoughts per minute. She was confused and just needed someone to listen to her, and that was exactly what they did. They let her get everything out before they reassured her that she wasn’t losing her mind.
“You can’t control your dreams, but also, it doesn’t mean anything,” Blair told her.
“How do you know?” Luna asked.
Blair looked over at Gianna before leaning into Luna. “Because I may have had a dream or two about someone I deeply despise. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“What?” Gianna screeched. “Oh my God, I knew it.”
“You know nothing,” Blair cut her off. She huffed, crossing her arms.
“You just need to forget about him for the night,” Cecilia reassured Luna. “You were in an emotionally vulnerable place and then seeing Valerio’s juicy body sent you over the edge.”
“Literally, according to the dream.” Gianna laughed. Luna threw a pillow at her. She threw it back. “Even if you are attracted to him, what’s the issue?”
“That’s how feelings start,” Cecilia said.
“Not necessarily. Maybe if you did sleep with him, you would get him out of your system. You already think he’s a bad person. Once you realize he sucks in bed, you’ll be completely over him. Then the fight can continue,” Gianna said with a shrug.
“What makes you think he’s bad in bed?” Blair asked.
“He’s a virgin,” Gianna said as if it was self-explanatory.
Luna shook her head. “I’m done talking about this.”
And that was where the conversation ended, leaving her with too much to think about. A night out was necessary.
Gianna’s driver drove them to the arena because none of them were willing to make the trek out to the middle of nowhere in their own cars. The arena had to be off campus to ensure the school had no affiliations to it as they claimed no liabilities. It made it extremely inconvenient to get to.
The inside of the arena was dome shaped. The seats went up the walls so that even the nosebleeds had a view of the ring. It was already packed inside, people rushing to their seats with their drinks in hand. The girls always sat all the way up front, a way for Augustus and Finn to keep an eye on them.
The boys usually became too consumed by their fights to notice anything though, which meant the girls partied hard. By the time they entered the arena, Augustus was already waiting by their seats. He had a permanent smirk that only intensified when he saw Cecilia.
“Oh great, my night is ruined,” she muttered.
Luna placed a hand on her shoulder. “Act like he’s not there.”
“Easier said than done.”
Blair and Gianna ran off to go get drinks for them while Luna took a seat beside Cecilia who was trapped on the other side by Augustus. He whispered something in her ear that sent her off, putting them in their own little bubble. Luna turned toward the ring, wishing she had gone to grab drinks too.
The entire event was professionally set up. Security guarded the doors, the betting table busy and loud. Every Fight Night, Finn walked away with a huge pocket of cash because he always won. People loved betting on him for that reason. They got to watch a good match and make good money on it.
Luna had never actually bet money on any of the fights before, but tonight felt different. Maybe she could make a couple bucks betting on Finn.
The lights dimmed and the announcer came on. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Fight Night!”
Cheers erupted around the arena. Luna’s stomach filled with butterflies, excited for the night. The first few fights passed by in a blur. Quick ones that usually ended with a knockout or they fought until neither one was left standing. She felt sick when the latest fight ended and a mop and bucket were pulled out to clean up the blood in the ring.
Augustus’s name was called next. They were almost at the most anticipated fight of the night: Finn’s. Augustus practically ripped himself away from Cecilia, who huffed and crossed her arms. He blew her a kiss, entering the ring.
Luna sipped on her drink, looking over at Gianna and Blair who were already getting up again. “We’re going to get another. Do you want one?” Blair asked. Luna shook her head.
“Bring me a couple,” Cecilia told them, sinking into her chair. Luna could feel the anxiety coming off her as she bit her lip and tried to act cool. She placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing it before she let the girls go get the drinks.
Luna took her time to look around the arena. She recognized a couple of girls from previous classes, waving at them. So far, Fight Night was a success.
“Now give it up for the first time, Dante Vitali!” the announcer called out, dragging out his name. Luna’s head whipped around in confusion. What the hell was he doing there?
Dante walked out from the back and down the pathway, already shirtless. Bruises covered his body, and he sported one on his cheek. He high-fived people as he walked, winking here and there. Luna was turning around to ask Cecilia about it when a familiar warm body sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around the back of her chair.
“Who are you betting on?” Valerio asked. “Personally, I’m betting on Dante, but I’m not sure what his chances are after I trained with him earlier. He might still be sore, but I figured he could handle it if he was brave enough to threaten you.”
“What are you doing here?” Luna asked.
“Why didn’t you tell me about what happened this morning?” Valerio asked.
She frowned. “Don’t ignore my question.”
He didn’t budge. “I answered your question this morning and then you ran away. Now, what did Dante and Allister say to you that made you cry?”
Luna turned away from him, focusing on the fight. Both men were already bleeding. Cecilia was up by the ring, worry etched on her face. Blair and Gianna were standing beside her, sneaking glances over at Luna.
His lips were right beside Luna’s ear, causing a chill to go down her back. “So help me, Luna, I will force you to talk if I need to.”
She snapped back to him. “And how exactly will you do that?”
He smirked, looking at her lips before looking back up into her eyes. Luna gulped, hating how attractive he looked. His dark hair was messy, his clothes overly casual for such an event.
“I have my methods.”
“They said that what I did to you last night was despicable. That because you weren’t with anyone, I shouldn’t be either,” she blurted out. “Which leads me to the point of why that is any of their business?”
“It’s not their business. They had no right to comment on any of that,” he said. “I’m sorry they made you cry.”
Her hard exterior softened for a moment. He was apologizing for something he didn’t do.
Luna shook her head. “You don’t have to be sorry for that. And you shouldn’t have hurt Dante because of it.”
“No one deserves to make you feel that way,” he said. “They won’t do it again.”
Luna nodded. She took her time to study him, focusing on his lips. The same ones that trailed along her body in her dream. Her cheeks burned.
“Why haven’t you been with anyone?” she asked. “You were gone for seven years.”
He smirked, leaning in closer. This time their lips were only a few millimeters away from each other. “Because I only want to fuck you.”
Her cheeks heated. She moved her head away, trying to regain her composure. “Why are you here?” she asked again.
“I’m here for Fight Night,” Valerio told her. “Curious to see your brother in the ring once and for all.”
She frowned. “Why do you care?”
“I have a bet going on. If he loses, I’m a lucky man,” Valerio told her.
“You do realize Finn is basically a professional. He’s never lost a match before.”
“I think tonight he might.”
“Doubtful.”
Valerio’s eyes lit up. “Want to bet?”
Her eyes narrowed in consideration. She was thinking of betting anyway, and at least she knew it would be a sure bet. She didn’t know who Finn was fighting, but he was good—no, he was the best out there. Luna nodded. “Only because I’m confident he’ll win.”
“Let’s make it interesting then. If he wins, I’ll stay away from you forever,” Valerio said.
Luna’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re lying.”
He shook his head, putting his hands up. “I swear. If he wins, I’ll void the contract.”
Her mouth went dry. “And if he loses?”
“Then you come with me to the cabin tomorrow night.”
Tomorrow was The Chase. She didn’t know where it took place, only that it was somewhere in the forest with plenty of space to run and hide. It was a wild bet to make, but she had full confidence in Finn.
“That’s all you want?” she asked. Her gut told her he was up to something, that there was no way Valerio would make such a bet. Unless he finally decided he didn’t want to be with her either.
“Simple bet,” he told her. “Do you accept?”
Luna nodded. “Sure.”
As long as Finn won, she would rid herself of Valerio. It seemed almost too good to be true.
He held out his hand, and she shook it. She ignored how warm it was and how perfectly it fit in hers, letting go after a moment. He turned back to the ring. “Huh, looks like Dante did get his ass beat. Serves him right.”
Luna looked at the ring. Sure enough, both men were bleeding, unwilling to stop fighting. They were pulled apart from each other, Allister grabbing Dante and Finn grabbing Augustus. They kicked them out of the ring, Finn continuing to stand there while they introduced him. Screams lit up the arena from fans of his.
Finn was good at what he did. She didn’t blame them for enjoying his fights.
Luna waited anxiously to hear his opponent get called. It was silent while the announcer cleared his throat. “Another first for the night and surely an epic fight that beats the one we just watched!” the announcer declared. “Give it up for Valerio Vitali!”
Her face fell as Valerio stood next to her. He took off his shirt, ignoring the cheers that erupted at the action. She felt like an idiot, her face heating up out of anger this time.
He leaned down, setting his shirt on her lap. His lips found her ear once again.
“I never lose either,” he whispered. His lips lingered there for a second before he stood back up and began walking toward the ring.
Luna watched him, dread filling her once excited body.
Fuck .