“Do not even start that shit with me, Allison Parrish. We are going to that address, and you’re going to get your answers.”
I shake my head, still torn. This is something my insane mother would do. Love makes you crazy, baby. No. I shake my mother’s voice out of my head. This isn’t love.
“This probably goes against guy code or some shit, but I agree with Hals.”
I don’t know if I’m more taken aback by the fact that he’s siding with her, or the fact that he just called her Hals.
“I think he might be in trouble.”
“What?” I shoot accusatory eyes at Halston who shrugs, conveying with her eyes that this is news to her, too. It’s one thing to suspect, but to have someone else validate your suspicions makes it all too real.
“Relax. I don’t know anything for sure. But you don’t know what you’re walking into. Shep’s already going to kick my ass. He’d kill me if I let you two go al
one.”
“Guess we’ll find out in about two hours,” I say, showing them my phone screen with the directions and estimated travel time.
Approximately two hours and thirty-seven minutes later, we find ourselves in the parking lot of a sketchy, unmarked building. My stomach churns with nerves, and I think I might actually throw up right here and now.
“You ready for this, baby girl?” Halston asks, grabbing ahold of my hand. I suck in a breath, steeling myself for whatever we’re about to walk into.
“Yep.” My boots crunch against the loose gravel in the parking lot as we make our way toward the front of the building. At least, I think it’s the front. There’s nothing but a sliding steel door with three small rectangular windows.
The closer we get, the more nervous I get. My hands feel clammy, and my pulse pounds in my ears. I can hear something rumbling inside, something loud, but I can’t put my finger on it. Cheering, maybe?
Sullivan takes the lead, pressing his forehead into one of the glass windows. “Can’t see shit. They’re blacked out.”
Unease licks up my spine as he pulls up the metal door. My jaw drops when I take in the scene in front of me. The sound is unmistakable now. A mob of people is gathered around something in the middle as “The Way You Like It” by Adema blares from the speakers, competing to be heard over the crowd’s jeering.
“What the hell is this place?” Halston shouts, scanning our surroundings.
“Fuck if I know,” Sullivan says. “But I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say it’s not legal.”
“Quick, shut the door and blend in.” I have a feeling people aren’t supposed to just waltz into a place like this.
Sully grabs ahold of the handle, sliding it back down before we make our way toward the edge of the crowd.
“Stay close,” Sully says, reaching for mine and Halston’s hands. Halston quirks a brow at him, hesitating, but she relents, giving him her manicured hand. With me in the lead, we start to push through the crowd. I’m thankful I’m wearing my trusty Docs, because this mob of people rivals some mosh pits. The tangy scent of blood and smoke hangs in the air, and slowly, it all starts to click into place. The black eyes. The bruises. The secretive phone calls.
Just before we break through to the front, I see a flash of a guy in blue shorts slamming to the hard ground. There’s no ring. No pad on the floor. This guy’s not even wearing gloves.
“So that’s the big secret? Jess hangs out at some wannabe fight club?”
“No,” I say, unsure if she can even hear me. “He’s the one they’re betting on.” Letting go of Sullivan’s hand, I barrel my way through until I’m front and center.
“Allie!” Halston shouts, but I don’t listen.
My stomach drops as I take in the sight of Jess dripping with sweat, in nothing but jeans and boots, fists blocking his face as he and another guy circle each other like sharks in a tank. Jesse’s hair falls over his forehead as he gives his opponent a taunting wink, motioning for him to come closer.
The crowd grows rowdy, jostling me, and I chance a look behind me to find Halston and Sullivan even farther away.
“Allie!” Sullivan’s voice thunders, his big body shoulder-checking people as he tries to clear a safe path for Halston. I whip back around just in time to see Jesse’s head snap toward the sound of my name. His eyes lock onto mine as shock morphs into anger.
Blue Shorts takes the opportunity to strike while Jesse’s distracted, landing a punch to the jaw. Jesse jerks to the side with the force of the hit and I flinch as if I took the blow myself.
“Jesse!” My voice is a guttural, desperate thing as I watch in horror as he hits the ground, his head bouncing off the concrete. My hands fly to my mouth, and I’m momentarily frozen to my spot. Blue Shorts lifts his arms, strutting around the invisible perimeter, gloating as the crowd roars.
Snapping out of it, I rush forward, but Jesse holds a palm up, stopping me in my tracks. Sullivan’s suddenly at my back, his arm hooking around my waist before pulling me away.