Page 77 of Captured Obsession

Lily’s gaze narrows. “Sienna, if he’s done something to you that you don’t?—”

“No, it’s not like that,” Sienna says quickly, and her friends seem taken aback as she wraps her arm around mine.

I fume internally as she exposes my vulnerability.

Her. She’s my weakness.

Yet my chest expands, the deep weight in my stomach setting in, proud as fuck that she would so openly claim me, protect me in her own way. Even when I know how this most likely ends for the both of us.

Fuck.

I have no words to argue what has become so obvious.

I’ve fallen for Sienna Falcone.

And I think she’s fallen for me.

32

SIENNA

Ican’t hide my shock at the underground club I never suspected was here. The more I delve into this world and realize how my friends have had time to adapt, the more I try to imagine life without it. It’s not something I should want to be a part of, and I wonder how deeply they themselves have become immersed in it.

Nikolai splits his attention between keeping an eye on me and taking in the sight before us.

Is this what his boss wants? Involvement with this fight club? But there’s all types of fighting out there, isn’t there? What makes this so lucrative and exclusive?

The centerpiece of the space is a boxing ring with stadium seating surrounding it. The crowd is mostly made up of men, though I see a few women perched on men’s laps, but they’re more accessories than anything else.

Security guards wearing all black surround the room, some openly showcasing their weapons. My heart drops at the thought that we really are in a den of dangerous men who I’m assuming work for Luca.

Ara walks ahead to where Luca is seated on a chair slightly more elevated than the others, and he looks furious to see her.

I feel almost guilty that Ara left her baby to come here for me, but I’m also flooded with a sense of joy that she cares about me that much.

Lily’s arm links with mine, and I can sense Nikolai lock up every time any other person touches me. I ignore his reaction because I’ve missed her.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay.” She leans in closer and quietly asks, “You are okay, right?”

I squeeze her hand gently. “I mean, it certainly isn’t an ideal situation, but I’m okay.”

Lily flicks a glance over her shoulder at Nikolai, who trails us intently. “So, ah, want to explain to me what’s happening between you two?”

“Nothing.” My voice squeaks, and Lily gives me a deadpan expression. “I mean … things might’ve happened, but it’s not anything, because it can’t be, right?”

Lily’s eyebrows dip as we’re escorted through the crowd. “No, he kidnapped you.”

“True. Speaking of, I’m sure there’s much to hear about how you and Lorenzo came to be.” A blush streaks her cheeks. “I always knew there wassomething up with him. He does an impression of a stone-cold statue far too well.”

“It’s a long story,” Lily says, then is quick to add, “I never meant to keep it from you. It’s just everything moved so quickly. And then you and Michael—” She cuts herself off, and I realize then that Nikolai’s green gaze has sliced in her direction.

“Don’t be an ass to my friends,” I snap at him.

His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t add anything further.

“I get it,” I say to Lily as we move to take the seats closest to Luca. God, do I get it. If anything, it’s felt like I’ve been falling with no parachute since I was first ensnared by Nikolai.

Ara sits on Luca’s knee, scowling at Nikolai as he takes the seat next to Luca. When I go to sit beside him, Nikolai sweeps me into his lap possessively. Ara’s gaze narrows on the action as I give him my full attention.