Page 29 of Black Hearted
I glanced at Nellie, who chewed her lip worriedly, and shook my head lightly. I couldn’t believe she was here. But on the other hand, the girl had more spunk than anyone I’d ever met. Should I really be surprised she’d found her way to the fights?
“Let me take a look so I can get you patched up,” Bucky said.
I cast him a wary glance before slowly removing my hand, praying I’d smeared enough of Hammer’s blood on my face to make it look like I bled red like everyone else.
At least the corner where we sat was dark, but even so, I avoided throwing Bucky nervous looks as he worked.
“It’s not too bad. I think the bleeding has stopped,” he said, and I sagged in relief. “You only need a stitch or two.”
“Great,” I muttered, swallowing a curse as he stuck the needle into my ear and began stitching me up.
Glancing down, I noticed my black, oil-like blood covering my fingers and palm. I quickly began unwrapping my hand to destroy the evidence.
“Can you rewrap me, too?” I asked.
“Sure thing,” Bucky said. I felt the warmth of a washcloth against my neck and face as he cleaned me up.
Nellie’s little face suddenly swam into view between the bars, and the little brat had the audacity to grin.
“That was awesome,” she told me.
“How long have you been here?” I asked, searching behind her for Evander or Elida, though I was certain they wouldn’t have let her come. She’d likely snuck out while they slept.
“Since the second fight,” she said. “I wasn’t going to miss this. You might need me.”
I glanced at her injured wrist and shook my head. “Nellie, go back. Please.”
She tipped her chin high. “No.”
I growled in frustration as Bucky took the wadded-up cloth from my old wraps and tossed them into the trash. I peered down at the rag he’d wiped my face with, relieved to see it was mostly dark red, with only faint streaks of black.
Now I had to get through the next fight without bleeding, and I’d be in the clear. It was the final match, and I was up against Brunok. This one was going to be brutal. But could I get through it without taking a hit to the face?
I’d have to try. The easiest way to avoid a punch was to knock him out cold right away. No more messing around like I had with Hammer.
Once Bucky finished rewrapping my hand, I thanked him and kneeled down to where Nellie was still pressed against the bars. Many in the crowd had refilled their drinks during the break and were now making their way back.
“Nellie, things might go bad. I need you to go back out to the alley and wait for me in front of the alterations shop on the corner.”
She frowned, glaring up at me. “No way, Zane. I’m not leaving.”
Heaving a sigh, I tilted my head back and spotted the moon through the skylight above. Why was this child so difficult?
Taking a deep breath, I glanced back down and into her eyes.
“I’m trying to get you to your aunt in one piece,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
“And I’m trying to watch your back, too. We’re a team,” she snarled, and something inside me softened.
She had the disposition of a feral lion cub sometimes, and I adored that about her. I’d grown up with brothers, so I never had a sister, though I imagined if I did, she’d have been like Nellie.
Fierce. Loyal. Loving on the inside with a hard outer shell.
“Fine.” I lowered my voice. “Stay close, but be ready to flee at any moment.”
Her eyes widened slightly at that, as if surprised I’d relented, but she nodded dutifully.
“And now for our main event,” the Enforcer’s voice boomed, and the crowd erupted with applause.
