Page 15 of Bought By Torch

Me:Can we go around nine? And what time should I swing by to pick up the key?

Figure it should be dark enough by then.

Kitch: You can go anytime you want. I’ll send you the code to the lockbox. Just make sure you put the key back and lock upwhen you’re done. And make sure you keep that girl close? One of the ghosts might try to steal her from you.

I plan on keeping her real close. But first, I have to figure out how to occupy that tool she brought with her. He’s not invited on our date.

10

Evie

“Babe, do you know what I learned last night?” Caleb shoves another bite of food in his mouth, talking as he chews. It’s another thing that disgusts me about him. Something I overlooked at the beginning of our relationship. But now that he’s been acting like a jerk lately, I can’t unsee it. And I’ve officially lost any chance of an appetite. Although, Torch stole it from me already.

Even if he is attracted to me and wants me in his bed, he won’t jeopardize the Steel Sinners’ chance of getting the money. So whatever feelings he has will only be shown in private. That’s probably why he took me to that bar in the outskirts of town last night. There was no way someone my father would know would spot us in that place and tattle on him.

“What’s that?” I focus on the coffee table instead of the half-masticated piece of steak in his mouth.

“I learned that the Steel Sinners host a fight here once a month. The entire place shuts down for it, and tickets go for liketen grand a piece. Only the best of the best get to step into that ring. It’s like one of the most prestigious fights around.”

So, they run a fight club too. What don’t these men have here? Private casinos, a dance club, restaurants, their MC clubhouse.

“Do you think your dad can get me in?”

It’s another thing he’s asking me for. Honestly, if it weren’t for the guilt I feel in stringing him along, I’d tell him no. But I need him to be my shield for a little longer. He needs to protect me from being alone with Torch.

“Um… I don’t know. Tickets might already be sold out.”

“No. I mean, do you think he can get me in a fight? I want to be one of the contenders.”

He wants to fight? He’s barely an amateur at best. How on earth does he think he’s going to go up against the best of the best? He’ll get knocked out in one hit.

“It sounds like they only let professionals fight, Caleb.”

“Yeah, well, I’m going to be a professional one day. And if I do this, it will launch my career.”

Not if he’s dead it won’t.

“We’re leaving in two days. When is this thing?”

“The fight’s next weekend. Figured we could extend our trip for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Extend our trip. My throat swallows hard.

“But what about your work?”

“They’ll let me call out. Besides, if I win this thing, I won’t have to work at that stupid gym anymore. I’ll be fucking famous.”

Or dead. That’s the more likely of the two options.

“So, can you ask?” he insists, and my stomach twists tighter.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Sweet. Hey! After we eat, do you want to go down and gamble for a bit?”

It seems to have become his addiction since we’ve been here.

“I thought we could go out and explore the strip,” I tell him. “We could stop in at the Bellagio and see all the glass sculptures.”