Chapter Ten

 

Dominic

 

We left the gala around nine-thirty, and at ten o’clock the fighting pit would be filled to the brim with people. Marco and Luca had left the party early so they could get everyone into place. Marco had hired a whole set of staff from security to bartenders, to ring girls. It was the first night of my new adventure, a lucrative one at that. My only problem was keeping it from Faith. Even as I drove us back to the hotel, I could see the wheels in her head turning. I didn’t want to lie to her, but I had no choice. I couldn’t tell her about the pit. Not yet, even though I had a feeling she knew something was up. Faith was smart. It was only a matter of time before I’d have to be honest with her. I promised her I would, and I’d already broken that trust.

“Do you need to run by your room first?” I asked as we walked into the hotel.

Faith shook her head. “No, I’m good. Sam will be here in a few minutes.”

I walked her to the hotel restaurant and led her to one of the private tables in the corner. I wasn’t thrilled about leaving her alone with Sam, but I had no doubt Faith could punch him once and he’d be knocked the fuck out. I’d seen what being overprotective did to my sister. I didn’t want to be overbearing with Faith, even though I hated the idea of her spending time with another man.

Faith sat down in the booth and I slid in beside her. She didn’t have much to say in the car on the ride back. “What do you want to do tomorrow?” I asked.

She looked over at me, her gaze narrowed. “Do you have to work?”

I shook my head. “I’m all yours. We can do whatever you want.”

“Promise?” Her lips tilted slightly, but what I really wanted to see was her smile. Maybe it was my guilt making me think she was unhappy.

Taking her chin, I kissed her, and she responded by deepening it. That was a good sign. “I promise,” I murmured. “I’ll be all yours.”

My phone beeped with an incoming text and I pulled it out of my suit pocket.

Isaiah: It’s time. Everyone’s waiting for you.

I looked over at the restaurant entrance and there he was, nodding for me to join him. Luckily, Sam walked in, carrying a box in his arms. I waved him over. He set the box on the table and held out his hand. “Thank you so much for everything. You sure I won’t get in trouble for bringing my own alcohol?”

Chuckling, I shook his hand. “I own the hotel. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” I slid closer to Faith and kissed her. “Have fun. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

She nodded, but I could see the skepticism on her face. A part of me wanted to just tell her the truth right then and there, but it was too late. I didn’t have time. I moved out of the booth and Sam took my place, pulling out her bottles of wine and all sorts of mini bottles of his other brews. Turning on my heel, I started for the door. I was afraid that if I looked back, Faith would see my guilt.

I joined Isaiah and we made our way to the private elevator that led down to the pit. “What’s it looking like down there?” I asked, stepping into the elevator.

Isaiah grinned. “Pretty damn good. There’s a long line of people waiting to get in, but Marco has the staff already in place. Security is ready and the bar is fully stocked.”

“What about Taylor? Is he warmed up for the fight?”

He nodded. “Luca and Connor are in the locker room with him now.”

It made me miss being in the ring. The excitement and anticipation before a fight was like a drug to me. I was addicted to it. The underground fighting arena was called the Dark Side. When it got shut down, I had to quit.

The elevator door opened, and I could already hear the sounds coming from the pit. There was laughter and music, but what I really heard was money and power. That was the drug of choice now, money and power. However, there was something new I craved even more. Faith. I had everything I could ever want, which meant I had more to lose.

There was no one allowed in my private hallway, but Marco had a bouncer stationed at the door. He nodded at me as I approached him and let us through. As soon as the door opened, the pit had come to life. The energy was intoxicating. The chairs were almost filled around the ring and there were even more people at the bar.

Marco was in the corner taking bets while Reed and Micah stood at our seats, talking to Cadoc Cartwright and two of his nephews. I was curious to see who his fighters were. They had the first match of the night against the O’Briens. Cadoc smirked at me as I made my way over to them.

“Got a nice turnout tonight,” he called out. “I’m impressed.”

“The fights will be even better.”

Cadoc scanned the room. “I bet. Along with the house fees, you’ll be bringing in close to a million if your fighter wins.”

“You’re damn right.” All in one night too. If his fighter one, he’d be earning a quarter million. It was a win-win, but we both knew it was because of me and my family.

“Where’s your lady at?” Cadoc asked, searching the room again.

“Not here,” I replied.

He frowned. “Pity. She seems like she’d be fun to have around at a party. I think I’ve seen her around before with your sister.”

Reed glared at me, but I ignored it. “Fighting really isn’t her scene,” I said.

Cadoc shrugged. “Maybe next time then.” He turned on his heel and his nephews followed him.

Once he was out of earshot, Reed huffed. “He’s the last person I want thinking about Faith.”

“Don’t you think I fucking know that,” I snapped low. I stepped closer to him. “I’m not going to let anything happen to her. If it comes down to it, I’ll send her to Wyoming.”

Reed stared at me as if he was trying to see the truth in my eyes. As much as didn’t want to let Faith go, I wasn’t about to let her stay in New York if the Cartwrights had an interest in her. Reed sighed and stepped back. “Okay. I believe you.”

Micah slapped my shoulder. “All right, you two. I get it you’re both worried about Faith, but none of these limp wristed wankers here are going to mess with her with me around.”

Reed and I both looked at him and then back at each other. I couldn’t help but smile. “Has he always had a big head?” I asked.

Reed snorted. “The biggest.”

Micah shrugged. “It’s gotten me this far. Once I see the fighters tonight, I might have to get in the ring myself one weekend.”

“Really?” I questioned. If he wanted to I wasn’t going to stop him. It’d make us even more invincible in the eyes of the others.

Micah nodded. “Got a lot of pent up aggression I need to let go. Might as well take it out on those fuckers,” he said, eyeing Cadoc and the other families.

I waved my hand about the crowd. “I’m sure you can use your energy doing something else. There’s plenty of women to choose from.”

Reed burst out laughing. “That’s not gonna work.”

Micah’s jaw clenched and he looked away. “Why not?” I asked.

“Because he’s hard up for someone already. That’s the problem. He hasn’t seen her in a few weeks.”

“You can always invite her to New York and stay at the estate,” I said to Micah. The estate was my childhood home away from the city. I hadn’t been there in a couple of months.

Micah shrugged. “We’ll see. She’s busy right now covering the Stanly Cup. Her name’s Madison Bennet. She’s a sports reporter.”

It just so happened that I knew who she was. I’d seen her on TV plenty of times. She was a very beautiful woman. “The offer still stands,” I stated.

Micah shook my hand. “I’ll think about it. Don’t know if I want her around here or not. This isn’t exactly her scene.”

Neither was it Faith’s. I wasn’t the only one trying to keep secrets from the one I cared about. Marco waved at me through the crowd and made his way to us. “It’s time for you to make the announcement, son. The fighters are ready.”

He handed me the microphone and I turned to the ring. Things were about to get crazy.