The crowd roars outside and I hear the announcer over the intercom tell the fans to settle down. It’s insane out there, bottles being thrown and brawls starting in the crowd. The energy in this arena, an old warehouse, is all jacked up. That is a distraction in itself.
Voices come down the hall and I listen as they echo. I make out Nate and know it’s his fist that slams on the metal door before he opens it.
“Hey,” he says, his head sticking in. “How you doin’?”
“Ready to roll.”
“Don’t sound so enthusiastic.” He steps in, but still blocks the door. There’s something in his face that causes that knot in my stomach to twist harder. “This will excite you some more. Look what I found.”
His arm comes off the doorframe and Camilla walks around the corner. She’s working her bottom lip between her teeth as she looks at me with wide, curious eyes.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I yell, springing to my feet. “Damn it, Camilla! Can’t you fucking listen to anything I say?”
“I wasn’t going to tell you I was here,” she whispers.
“Oh, because that makes it okay. Fuck!” I groan, throwing her what must be a death stare because she flinches, her face paling, but she holds her ground.
She walks to me, her chin up, posture straight, and puts her hand on my arm. I just look at it.
“You do realize I’m expending all the rage I need to be spilling out there, right? When the other guy is trying to kill me?”
“I just wanted to support you.”
“You could’ve done that from home,” I seethe.
“Yes, I could’ve. But I wanted, needed, to make sure you’re okay.”
“There are a thousand people out there just dying to do something stupid tonight and now you are in the mix. How in the hell am I supposed to concentrate when I’m going to be worried about you?”
“How was I supposed to be sitting at home and not worrying about you? Damn it, Dominic! Don’t you understand?”
I force a swallow, my eyes trying not to see the emotion in hers.
“This is important to me. You are important to me.”
“You are important to me too,” I gulp. “That’s why I don’t want you here.”
“I’ll be fine,” she insists. “I’ll stay out of the way.”
I look at Nate. He understands. He shakes his head in frustration with Camilla, but knows better than to get involved.
“Are you alone?” I ask her.
“Yes.”
“Of course you are.” Hearing the fight before mine coming to an end, I scramble for a solution. “Nate, get her a seat somewhere high. Out of the way.”
“I can take care of myself,” she says, narrowing her bright blue eyes.
“Cam, baby, most days I’d say you’re right. Tonight, you’re wrong.” I look at my brother. “Somewhere high.”
“I could keep her with me,” he offers.
“Fuck, no,” I hiss. “The closer you get to the ring, the more shoving and shit happens. Get her out of the way.”
“I’m right here,” she insists. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.”
“We know you’re here. That’s the problem.” I set my sights back on her. Her attempt at blending in is adorable. Jeans, white sneakers, and a pale purple shirt. “You don’t look like the average fight fan.”