“Jeez thanks a lot, now I don’t know if I can eat.”
“You know I’m never one to sugar coat. Just keeping it real.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s not just this fight though. He’s helping Charlie again.” Royce takes my hand in his offering the little comfort he can give me right now. I don’t even have to explain the situation to Royce he already knows all about Charlie and his misgivings.
“How deep is he in?”
“Fifty.”
“THOUSAND! Jesus Brandi, what in the hell was Charlie thinking?” His outburst grabs the attention of everyone in the dining room.
“Keep your voice down. I don’t know, but whatever it was Kline is paying the price.”
“You know I don’t have to tell you that if people find out that Kline is working the fights he’s going to end up with a lot more than a bloody lip and black eye.”
“I know but it’s the Garretti brothers.” It doesn’t escape my attention that Royce’s spin stiffened at the mention of their name. He’s probably just as scared of them as the rest of Las Vegas. You don’t live or work in Sin City and not fear their name.
They are the Mob— you don’t fuck with them or most importantly their money. “Have they threatened you?”
“I don’t know. Kline says that if he doesn’t get the money, they will come after me or my mom to prove a point to Charlie.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you.” Our conversation is interrupted with the delivery of our dinner. I spend a good portion of the meal stabbing my cheese ravioli with my fork while pretending to take bites, so I don’t have to talk about Charlie or where we stand.
By the time we make it to the warehouse where the fights are held there is barely a parking space left. Looks like this Punisher fellow brings an enormous crowd. I tuck my cell phone in my bra. I’m not risking taking my purse inside with a crowd like this. Royce opens my door for me and once I am out of the car he presses my back up against the door. He goes in for a kiss, but I turn and give him my cheek. I’m not feeling into it right now.
I have too much on my mind.
“Come on Bran, you used to love my lips…my tongue…” He presses himself against me further.
“Royce the fight, remember? And I said SLOW.”
With a frustrated sigh he backs off but still takes me by the hand.
Inside the warehouse is insane. Since we were late to arrive we have to stand in the back. I usually get here earlier enough with Kline to get a seat up front. I try to look around to catch a glimpse of my brother but he’s nowhere to be seen. I always wish him good luck. I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Discreetly I take out my phone and try sending him a text. I don’t get a response from him, but there is no need for one when I see him making his way through the crowd for me and Royce.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
“Show him what you’re made of man.” Royce clamps Kline on the shoulder in a show of his support.
“Thanks man.” I never thought I’d see the day my brother and Royce would actually be civil. Maybe hell has frozen over. Weren’t they trying to kill each other not too long ago?
“Kick some ass brother,” I give him a quick peck on the cheek and pray that my brother walks away from this fight. I watch worriedly as he enters the octagon. I grow even more nervous when I see the size of the guy he is about to go toe to toe with.
Paulie ‘The Punisher’ Davios is huge compared to Kline. What in the hell is my brother thinking? This guy stands a good 6’2 and weighs at least 280 pounds of pure muscle. The crowd has erupted in a chant, “Punisher, Punisher,” they scream making my pulse race with fear. I need to get my emotions in check and send my brother some kick ass vibes.
A few guys around us realize who Royce is and want his autograph. A few girls too. I try not to be annoyed when one of them squeezes his bicep. The over touchy fan squeals, “Wow, you really are fit to be King.”
Ugh! I roll my eyes and turn away from them, but Royce is right on me, hooking me around the waist and drawing me back into him. “Yeah and this is my queen,” he says kissing my neck.
The girl stalks off not happy to see he has a woman.
“Ladies and Gentlemen there seems to have been a mix up in the order of tonight’s fights. The first match of the night is Taylor ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins and Bobby ‘Rampage’ Moore.” The crowd lets out some boos, but I am relieved to see my brother walk out of the ring unscathed for now.
My phone vibrates inside my bra. I excuse myself to the bathroom so I can check it without Royce looking over my shoulder. Once I am out of his sight I pull my phone out to see I have a text from a number I
don’t recognize.
Unknown: Next time we meet I am going to bend that ass over until you are begging me—to go deeper and harder until you feel me in your throat. -Parker