“Good.”
A blonde woman, dressed in the shortest shorts I’d ever seen and a tiny top that struggled to fight the good fight to contain her ample breasts, came over and stood in front of Trigger.
“They’re short a girl for the rounds.” She flipped her hair back. “I’m stepping in.”
Trigger laughed and leaned back, looking amused. “Elio, this is Tess, my wife. She’s suddenly got a death wish.”
“Lovely to meet you.” I stood and offered a hand.
“Oh, I’ve heard a lot about you!” She was very pretty and full of confidence, and something told me they’d be very amusing to watch together.
“How can someone so small move so quick?” Rail, one of Trigger’s club members, leaned over with his hands on his knees, all the while sucking in smoke from a cigarette. “I tried to tell her no, Trig, but she threatened the stage again.”
“I won’t let Minnie’s biggest night be ruined because Monica drank too much last night and is stuck with her head in the toilet,” Tess argued with her hands firmly on her hips. “Be pissed, Trigger, but she’s my girl, and I’m doing it.” She turned and stomped off toward the ring, and Trigger shot out of his chair after her. Rail sat down with a huff and shook his head at me.
“That girl’s got she-balls,” he laughed, “and we’ve got about twenty minutes before the three F's happen.”
“Three Fs?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.
“Fight, fuck, fail.” He shrugged. “Well, most likely Trigger will fail because Tess, for the most part, wins.”
“Lovely.” I glanced at Niccola, who laughed in amusement at my reaction.
“Kind of sounds like you, boss.” Vinni ducked when I threw a punch at him. Brick thumbed Rail out of Trigger’s seat and acknowledged me with a nod.
“Hey, let Tess know I think I just saw Lexi upstairs.”
“As in Keith’s Lexi?” Rail looked confused, and I wondered who they were referring to.
“Yeah,” Brick shifted to get comfortable, “looks just like her, but you know Keith would have given us a heads up if she was in town. But whatever, just get Tess to call Minnie and figure it out.”
“Yeah.” Rail hurried away, disappearing into the crowd.
“Fuckin great crowd tonight,” he said as he tossed me a beer from a tray one of the waiters held. Then he motioned for the waiter to hand my men a beer, too. I didn’t drink beer often. I preferred sipping on the finer things, generally things that were stored and marinated in oak barrels, but I appreciated the gesture and certainly wouldn’t turn it down.
“Thanks.” I took a sip. “May I say you seem disturbed by something?” Life experience had heightened my senses when something was off with a person.
He studied my face for a moment. “Just been dealing with a lot of personal shit. Not sure if it’s even worth my time anymore.”
“I see.”
“Did Trigger tell you about this place?” He changed the topic.
“He did say your Minnie owns it and that it allows him to control the underground fighting in Vegas.”
“No, I meant…” He trailed off when he saw Trigger coming our way. “Enjoy the fight.”
“You as well.” I wasn’t sure what he’d been getting at, but I let it drop as I focused on the lights dimming and the announcer coming into the ring. “Everything good?” I asked Trigger as he sat in the chair Brick had vacated.
“If I go missing, ask my wife.” He chuckled darkly and downed the beer Brick handed him. I rather enjoyed this side of Trigger.
The bell rang, and we sat forward for the fight. I felt like I was eighteen again.
Trigger almost lost his last nerve when Tess came out wearing nothing but a string bikini. She held up a number and glared in his direction. I could only imagine what would happen later when they were alone. I shifted my own desire back into place as I thought of Sienna and all the times we’d fought and had great make-up sex. Shit, I loved a good fight with her. It always ended well.
By the third round, I was so engulfed that I barely noticed when one of the security guys leaned over to tell Trigger something.
“Seems we have company.” Trigger rubbed his head. “Blue section, standing by the post.” I followed his directions and spotted him.