15. Chapter Fifteen

15

Chapter Fifteen

Kieran

T oday has been a day from hell. Declan called me at four thirty this morning telling me to meet him at the house. He needed me to accompany him and Roe to their many meetings today. It’s been awkward at best all day. I’ve refused to talk about anything but work. Although they’ve tried to talk about last night. We’ve checked out warehouses, met with the heads of four different organizations, hit the gym to train for a little bit and paid my little friend with the missing finger a visit.

Wouldn’t you know it? He suddenly had our money plus interest. Who would have thought? I’ve exchanged a few texts with Britt today. Enough to know she spent the day with Clara, and for her to know I had to leave extremely early. Was it a douche move to leave her in my bed to go to work? Probably, but I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I made sure to send flowers to her apartment earlier, but haven’t heard back from her since.

Our last task had us stumbling upon an auction, for women, completely by accident. Women beaten, starved, and kept in cages. Now we’re trying to figure out who those women used to belong to, and deal with that. My family does some less than law abiding things, but we will never and have never hurt or sold women and children. We don’t stand for that shit.

After getting all the women to an organization we work with that helps trafficked women and kids find refuge, I had to get to Brittany. I needed to see her, hold her, check her over and make sure she’s okay. My hands needed to touch her. My eyes need to roam every inch of her to remind myself she is not and will never be one of those women. Standing in front of her door I obnoxiously knock until I hear her moving around.

As soon as she opens that door and my eyes latch onto her perfect gray ones my need to kiss her overtakes every other sense in my body. Pressing her against the now closed door and deepening our kiss my tongue takes survey of her mouth. We fight for dominance of the kiss, but when I grab her thigh and hook her leg around my hip she gasps and lets me take control. Eventually I pull away to catch my breath and let my forehead rests on hers.

“God, I’ve missed you today.” My lips travel down her jaw and then her neck, nibbling, licking, and kissing every inch of skin that I can reach. Her fingers tangle in my hair holding my lips to her skin.

“Kie, what, what is this? What are we doing?” Her body shivers against me, and she lets out a whimper.

Talking against her skin because I need to touch, and I haven’t had enough. “I just need you. I needed to see you, to touch you, and know without a shadow of a doubt that you’re okay. You’re here, safe and sound. I saw some rough shit today. Just needed a reminder that you’re here.” Gripping my hair in her hands she pulls my head back. Letting out a low growl because she interrupted me, my eyes flare in annoyance.

“Are you okay?” The annoyance melts away as her concerned tone almost brings me to my knees.

Cupping her face gently in my hands, my eyes lock on hers, “Yeah, baby. I’m fine. Sometimes I see some dark shit. When that happens I just need to be around some light. You are nothing if not pure light, Brittany.”

Her cheeks heat and she looks away, “Don’t inflate my ego, Kieran. I don’t appreciate having smoke blown up my ass. If you want a booty call just say that. I can assure you I’m ready and willing. Even without the flattery.”

What the fuck? I mean don’t get me wrong, I think I could fuck her every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. She’s addicting, but to assume that’s all I want from her? That’s insulting to say the least, for both of us. After what we shared last night?

Last night was such a good date. I opened up to her in a way that I never have to anyone else, and I thought she felt the same. Especially after she let me hold her while she purged all those emotions. I didn’t want to walk away from her, I couldn’t. It was like a visceral need to be there for her while she fell apart. I’ve never felt that before, like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. We didn’t even fuck last night. I didn’t even think about it because that’s not what she needed from me in that moment. Well, that’s a lie. I did think about it but I didn’t act on it. Again this evening, it was like a subconscious thing, like a pull to her. I can’t make sense of it. My head’s all tangled up. All I know is that this feels right, it feels like this is where I’m supposed to be.

“I didn’t come here to fuck, and do not call yourself that ever again. I’m just here to see you. If you’re not interested in that. I can make you come before I leave. Or I can just leave. You know what, I’ll just go. I just needed to see that you were okay, and you are. So uh- I’ll just head out now.” Giving her one last deep kiss before turning on my heels, I’m out the door before her brain can even catch up.

Deciding to take the steps I’m halfway down before I’m dialing Ryan. He answers on the third ring, “Hey, you want to go to the club.”

Ryan chuckles, “The club, or the club .”

I swear my eyes roll all the way back in my head, “You know damn well what club.”

“Yeah, meet me at my place in fifteen. Just spectating tonight, okay Kie?”

I know I’m full of shit before the words even come out of my mouth, “Yeah, just spectating.”

* * *

I’m walking into The Pit with Ryan matching me step for step when Justin the bouncer stops us. “Kieran, glad to see you looking better bro.”

Dapping him up I chuckle, “Let’s not forget who came out of that match with the dub.”

“Of course, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

I let the playfulness shine through my typical stone cold expression to put him at ease, “None taken. We’ re going to go find Ty.” Grabbing his shoulder as we pass.

Ryan rolls his eyes and mutters under his breath, “You are such a dick.”

Feigning shock, my hand goes to my chest, “Me? I didn’t even do anything.”

We both laugh and head inside, “Seriously, Kie we’re here to watch. Scout out your next guy. No more. No less.”

“Yes, Dad. I got it.” I changed out of my work clothes at Ryan’s so instead of the suit I was wearing at Brittany’s I’m in black basketball shorts and a dark gray hoodie. My black hat with a gray ‘UFC’ logo is pulled low to hide my eyes, and my black cloud runner’s cover my feet. Ryan’s got on gray sweats, a plain black hoodie, and white forces on. Everyone here is dressed similarly, we’re here to watch but we’re always ready to go.

I’ve been here countless nights where my name wasn’t on the card but I’m fighting before the night’s over nonetheless. People are mouthy typically. Even more so when you’re undefeated and they’re just drunk enough or high enough on the adrenaline in the air to try me. Scanning the crowd, it doesn’t take us long to find Ty. He’s about six two if I had to guess, and in the sea of people ready to fight at any second or girls half dressed, he sticks out like a sore thumb. I think he was a frat bro once upon a time. If his outfit choices tell me anything it’s that he’ll go to his grave before he lets go of the khaki’s, polos, or boat shoes. He’s alright though, puts me on the card whenever I ask, and helps me keep a low profile when I’m avoiding it.

“Killer, it’s been a while! How’ve you been? You want in tonight?”I hold back my annoyance at the stupid nickname.

A faux smile curves my lips, “Nah, we’re just spectators tonight. What’s up? How’s business?”

“It’s a light night, not going to lie. Seeing you in the ring would make for a better night.”

Taking a few seconds I pretend to think it over, “Alright, if you’re going to twist my arm. Count me in.”

Ryan yells out, “No!”

The same time Ty cheers, “Yes! Get ready, you’re up after the next fight.”

Ryan throws up his hands at me, “Dude what the fuck.”

“I’ve got shit to work through, it’s fine.”

Ryan and Ty start bickering like they so frequently do. Ryan never wants me to fight and Ty always wants me to. Tuning them out, my focus wanders back to scanning the crowd of spectators as well as the current match in the ring. I’m half listening to their conversation when a middle aged man, maybe late forties, catches my eye from across T

he Pit. I’m not sure why he’s caught my attention but that usually means my night is about to get bloody after all. He’s dressed like the rest of us, tattoos litter his body and his hair is buzzed. Keeping my eyes on him I ask, “Who’s that?”

Ty and Ryan follow my gaze. “Oh that’s some new guy. He just showed up for the first time today.” His dark eyes come up to mine, they look black from here. He gives me a nod of acknowledgment before he disappears into the crowd. Well that was weird. The urge to follow him and snap his neck is intense. My hands itch and fingers twitch just at the thought of moving towards him. Right as I’m about to move, Ryan claps my shoulder while throwing goodbyes over his shoulder to Ty. We make our way to the middle of the room where the octagon sits.

“That was weird right? That guy gave you a weird feeling? ”

Ryan tilts his head and studies me for a minute. “No, I think he was just new. Don’t let your paranoia get the best of you. Maybe you’ve seen him in circles with your family before or something. It’s nothing.”

Turning our attention back to the ring I decide he’s right. No need to obsess over a feeling just because a stranger caught my eye.

We watch the match finish up, but when James Hill is announced for the next fight, my fight, we both look at each other slack jawed.

“There’s no fucking way?” I yell over the crowd roaring for him.

“What the actual fuck? Let’s get out of here.” The anger and tension rolling off of me is suffocating to my own lungs. “The last thing you need is to get in a fight tonight.”

Before I can respond Ryan is pushing me towards the exit. Making our way out I’m shoulder checked by some dickhead walking by. Whipping around to see who the fuck can’t watch where they’re going. My eyes fall on none other than James’ brother. Still his name escapes me, but I do know that no one has seen them in years. Now all of a sudden they’re fighting again? At the same place I’m fighting? Before either of us can react Ryan and Ty jump between us both pushing us in opposite directions. Ryan yells above everyone, “What the fuck Ty? Find yourself a new main fighter.” Ty yells something about this being a misunderstanding at our backs while Taylor or whatever his fucking name is screams about how he’s going to ‘finish the job’ next time. He’s a fucking idiot. He caught me off guard and distracted last time. I’ll torture him for weeks before ending him the next time he looks in my direction. Ryan directs me completely out of the rundown pit before it can escalate further. Which it would because after that shit with Britt tonight, I’m ready to kill.

“What the fuck was that?” I yell half in shock.

“That was a poorly executed set up.” Ryan’s practically vibrating with rage. He catches my full attention nonetheless.

“You think Ty was trying to set me up?”

Getting into the car Ryan scoffs, “Why else would Ty ask if you wanted to fight tonight when he knew James was headlining?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I should take a break for a little while find a different spot, or just train for a little.”

Ryan’s nodding before I’m even done with my thought, “I think that’s the way to go. I can’t imagine going through that again. Your brothers were on another level. And not to get all sentimental on you, but I’m not ready to do this daily shit without you.”

Keeping my emotions in check I just reach over and push his head to the side playfully, “I am great aren’t I?”

Ryan barks out a laugh, “Yeah, and so humble too. Come on, let’s go back to my place. We have a bike to work on.”

He’s got that right, I’m going crazy not being back on two wheels. My bike has some mods we need to do, and I’ll try anything at this point to get Britt out of my head.