Treacherous

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Pierce reaches across the console and tips my chin. “You didn’t see the way he was looking at you tonight. Nice touch by the way.” His eyes scan my outfit.

“I figured if I was going to be humiliated, might as well look good doing it.” I shrug, looking down at the revealing outfit that I normally wouldn’t be caught dead in. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pick it out with Zayden in mind.

“Well, you definitely succeeded. Even if our first outing was a huge bust, the night did have some high points.”

“It did?” I arch a brow at him.

“I got to walk into a packed party with the hottest girl in school on my arm.” He grins. “I think we turned more heads than just Zayden’s.”

“Anyone’s head in particular you were aiming to turn?” I probe for information. So far Pierce has been pretty secretive about his love life.

“Maybe.” He kneads his bottom lip between his teeth.

“That’s all I get? Maybe?” I playfully swat his leg.

“Her name is Chelsea. I told you I’ve been on a girl kick as of late. We have Spanish together, and even though I’ve attempted to flirt, she’s either really shy or isn’t interested. After tonight, I think it’s the former. Which just means I need to up my game.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“Well, rumor has it she’s going to be at Hart’s tomorrow night. Thinking I might make an appearance.”

“What’s Harts?”

“Hart’s Comics.”

“Wait, she’s going to be at a comic bookstore?” I question, fighting the urge to poke fun at him.

“Well, not exactly.”

“What do you mean, not exactly?”

“Hart’s isn’t just a comic store. He also has a fight ring in the basement.”

“Wait, what?”

“It’s a pretty hot hang out, if you can get in. There’s only room enough for so many people, so they typically turn a lot away at the door.”

“Are we talking like Fight Club?” I reference the movie I’ve seen more times than I care to admit.

“Not exactly, but yeah, you’re getting the picture. It’s an underground fighting ring. It pulls in a pretty big crowd. Some people go to watch the fight, but most have money on the line.”

“So, they’re taking bets?”

He nods. “You’d be surprised how much money circulates that place, especially when some of the better-known fighters are there.” He pauses like he’s about to say more but changes his mind.

“How does something like this take place? Clearly it’s illegal.”

“Hart, the guy who runs the place, has a buddy at the local PD. Not sure on their arrangement, but he keeps the cops off Hart’s back, and in return, Hart takes care of him—financially speaking.”

“So he pays him off?”

“I guess that’s one way to put it.”

“And how do you know all this?”

“Same way everyone does—word of mouth. I’ve been there a few times. Pay enough attention and you can piece together how it all works pretty quick.”

“How freaking cool. I didn’t know things like that actually existed.”