Scarlet Nights (Edilean 3)

“Beware the cousin’s foot,” Colin shot back.

Mr. Frazier stepped between them and held out his hand to Mike. “I hear your grandmother was my biological mother’s sister. Sorry, but I never knew either one of them, but …” He didn’t seem to know what else to say.

“Oh, Grinny,” Mrs. Frazier said, “there’ll be time for that later.” She turned to Colin and obviously disapproved of his shirtless state. “You will find a clean shirt in the trailer.” She looked at Mike. “And I suggest that you also put something on.”

“Yes, ma’am,” both men said in unison, then they ran out of the tent and back into the ring, where they immediately started punching each other.

“Want to get something to drink?” Colin asked.

“Wish I could but I have some things I need to do.”

“Yeah, the whole town saw you with Sara.” Colin lowered his voice. “Listen, I know some of the reasons why you’re here, but not all of the story. If you need any help, let me know.”

“Watch out for her, that’s all I ask,” Mike said as he left the arena to go back to Ellie’s tent. As he knew she would be, Sara was waiting there for him with a clean shirt.

Minutes later, Mike got a text message.

HEY KID. HEARD U GOT MY INVITE TO JOIN ME. WHATEVER

UR DOING ITS WORKING. VANDLO PEELED OUT IN A RAGE.

Smiling, Mike tossed his phone in the air and caught it.

“What was that about?” Sara asked as she smoothed his shirt down.

Grabbing her about the waist, Mike swung her around.

“What’s made you so happy? Last night and now this. What’s going on?”

“Instinct, babe,” he said, laughing. “It hasn’t failed me yet.”

Sara was waiting for an answer to her question.

“Let’s just say that I was concerned that someone had betrayed me, but I couldn’t make myself believe it.”

“And he … or she … didn’t betray you?”

“Naw. So where’s Kim’s little sister? Anna, was it? We need to rehearse before the show starts.”

Sara’s sister Taylor entered the tent. “I talked to Anna and she wants nothing to do with you. She saw your fight and she said, and I quote, ‘He’s too old and I don’t like his beard.’”

Mike put Sara down and kissed her neck. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to persuade a woman to like me.”

“Now why do I doubt that you’ve had much practice at that?” Taylor asked, and Mike smiled at her.

“Stop flirting with my sister and go find Anna.”

“Yeah,” Taylor said, “or my husband will beat you up.” Her husband was an overworked doctor who never had time to go to a gym.

“I’ll win this game, and it’ll be the last one,” he said softly to Sara. “After it’s done, I’ll come back and put the wires on you, so stay around here and don’t leave. Got it?”

“Yes,” she said and took a deep breath. She knew he was telling her that Greg was on his way, which meant that the big blowout with him was going to happen soon. Her fear was that she’d be so angry when she saw him that she’d blurt out the truth about his mother and the investigation, and she’d ruin everything.

“You’ll do fine,” Mike said. “And don’t worry about saying too much. I’ve seen what a great liar you can be.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

He pulled her into his arms and after a quick glance to see that Taylor had her back turned, he kissed her. “When this is done I promise to make you feel a lot better.”