Page 44 of Dirty Deadly & Mine
“Nope. I followed you when you left the salon. I was coming to see you.”
“Why were you coming to see me?”
“I was going to ask you to join me for lunch, but it turns out your ex-husband beat me to it.” There’s a flicker of annoyance that crosses Asher’s face, and I instantly hate seeing it there.
I frown, wishing I’d never gone to the stupid lunch Alexander demanded I attend.
“What was all that about?” Asher asks, and I shake my head.
If I can’t tell my sons about Melanie, then I can’t tell Asher.
“Just typical Alexander bullshit,” I deflect, stepping forward and grabbing my helmet. “Can you please take me back to the salon? The alcohol I drank has gone straight to my head, so I need to reschedule my clients.”
Asher grins momentarily at my comment and then watches me as I fit the helmet, looking like he wants to say something.
“What?” I ask, and he works to hide his smirk.
“Nothing, Lil. Get on.” He bobs his head toward his bike. “I’m ready to have your hands all over me again. I could tell how much you enjoyed it on the ride up here.”
This man… he’s relentless.
CHAPTER 10
ASHER
The call came in just after seven, which worked out well since Lily was going on another so-called date and I needed a distraction. She’s lying to me about the fucking date, but I’m hoping eventually she’ll trust me enough to tell me what she’s really doing. So, while she’s out doing whatever it is she’s doing, I’m heading to my first fight.
The Rough House is located in the warehouse district of Hedgwick. The fight nights are illegally held by a syndicate of underworld figures, and Shiv is the man that runs them with the organisation of a professional fight.
The basement is packed. Mostly with gangsters, but there are also some motorcycle club members and general street thugs, most of which are lads, but there are some chicks around, scantily dressed, with one thing in mind.
Shiv shows me around, explaining that I have to start at the bottom and work my way up in the fights. Depending on how good or bad I do will determine how many fights I get and at what level of skill they will be. I guess tonight is kind of like a trial so they can see what I can do, but if I win, I’ll still get paid.
Before coming, I was told I would need an assistant to help strap me, warm me up, and be in my corner during the fights. I contemplated calling the twins, but I kind of don’t want them to know I’m doing this. They will see straight past any lie I try to tell them, knowing I’m doing it for money. Then they’ll insist ongiving me a handout to save me from getting the crap beat out of me. So instead, I call my old mate, Gordy.
Gordy and the twins aren’t really buddy, buddy. Gordy was my good mate before I got kept back in primary school, which had something to do with my shitty parents at the time, and then the twins kind of took me under their wing, obviously feeling sorry for the kid that had to repeat a year.
Gordy and I have kept in touch over the years, catching up occasionally, and he’s been helping me out since I got locked up, keeping an eye on things for me and running a few errands.
“Good to see you, bro,” Gordy grins, his red hair tucked away under a cap.
Standing from the bench wearing nothing but shorts, I slap Gordy’s hand.
“You, too. You have any trouble getting in?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“Nah. My name was on the list, thanks to you.” His eyes travel over my body. “Fuck man. You’re built.”
I chuckle. “Not much else to do in prison.”
“I guess not.” Gordy chuckles and I sit back on the bench.
“Thanks for taking care of things while I was away.”
“All good.” Gordy smirks as he picks up the roll of tape. “Saw your mum out last week. She didn’t look too fucked up this time.”
My gut twists at the mention of my mum, but I cover the discomfort with a nod. At least she’s still alive, I guess.
“Was that fucktard with her?” I sneer, not able to hold back my disdain for Monty.
