Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
He chuckles. “The big event at ten p.m.? I assume you’ll be there to cheer on your boyfriend?”
The underground fighting circuit on campus isn’t exactly the best kept secret, but it’s one most people don’t talk about in public. Myself included.
I shrug. “Maybe.”
He nods and drags his eyes over me with such heat my insides turn molten. I half expect my clothes to turn to ash. “Looking forward to it.”
I spin around and walk away from Oliver as fast as I can. He’s looking forward to it, and now, fuckity fuck, so am I.
CHAPTER SIX
SAVVY
Ithink I’m gonna puke, and somehow I don’t think the pretty brunette in front of me would appreciate that.
Cheers echo off the concrete walls, and people all around me bounce on their toes to get a better view of the fighters in the ring. We’re packed in like sardines. Everyone’s been buzzing about this fight.
“Come on!” Nathan screams, his face red with rage. “Hit the sonofabitch, fucking loser!”
He’s screaming at Chuck, and the anger on his face matches the horror eating away at my gut. Chuck was supposed to win this fight. “Easy money,” my brother’s been saying for weeks now. Easy money. I know there’s no such thing, and I know better than to give my brother money I can’t spare. Yet here I am, wishing I hadn’t had a cup of the spiked red punch before coming down to the secret underground fighting ring beneath Crossport U. If I can’t calm my stomach, the brunette’s tight white tank top is going to gain a splash of color.
Chuck’s opponent swings right, and Chuck dodges at the last second and lands a punch to the guy’s shoulder, but the guy isn’t fazed.
“Come on, Chuck,” I whisper. “Please.” But I might as well be praying to Santa Claus, because I know what the people around me couldn’t.
Chuck isn’t trying.
I stare at the ring, but all I can see is the greedy smile he flashed me when he realized he’d talked Nathan into betting on him. “Must be nice to have so much cash,” he said, giggling manically.
I didn’t correct him. Everyone at this school thinks my family’s rich because the stadium and liberal arts buildings carry my name. My grandfather’s name. People assume my father couldn’t possibly have been stupid enough to lose all our family money in the two decades since Grandpa died. People are naïve.
And so am I.
Did Chuck plan this? Did he set Nathan up?
The other guy in the ring dodges a weak punch then pivots with an uppercut right under Chuck’s jaw. Chuck stumbles back. The guy sees his opening and attacks.
I feel every swing and kick to my heart, my pride, and my future. I almost envy Chuck when he collapses, his body surrendering to unconsciousness.
“Fuck this!” Nathan roars, then he spins on his heel and shoves through the crowd and toward the exit.
I’m pushed side to side, front to back, as people around me shove their way in opposite directions—some trying to get to the ring to meet the new champ, and some trying to follow Nathan out. I don’t go anywhere. I just let the crowd jostle me around.
The unofficial medics attend to Chuck, and when he finally sits up and blinks his eyes open, I should feel relieved. I don’t. We were played. Nathan was played.
Because he’s an easy target. And so are you.
“Are you okay?”
I tear my gaze off the ring and try to focus on the girl standing in front of me, her head cocked to the side in concern. My brain isn’t functioning quite right and the only thought that registers is the first thing that comes out of my mouth. “I have nowhere to go.”
Because Nathan’s gone and so is my money. Because I know what Chuck did, and I won’t be staying with him.
The girl bites her lip. “That was ugly.” She blows out a breath and glances over her shoulder. “He’s a little messed up, but he’ll be okay.”
“I hope I’m wrong. I better be wrong.” I flinch. I need to get control of my freaking mouth.
“What?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
I’m dragged away from the girl when someone yanks on my arm. I don’t know him, but I recognize him from the last time Nathan owed a bookie money. Hard to forget those face tattoos. “Where the fuck’s your brother?”
My numbness retreats, but my nausea returns like a smack in the face. It’s so freaking hot in here and that punch doesn’t want to stay in my stomach. “What do you want?”
“Your brother owes my boss money. Be a good little thing and tell me where he ran off to.”
I try to pull my arm from the guy’s grasp but fail. I can feel bruises forming beneath the pads of his fingers. “You’re hurting me!”