Page 17 of Bought By Torch

“I’ve got tickets to an exclusive attraction. It’s a surprise though. Are you two ready to head out?” I ask, looking directly at Evie, ignoring the loser sitting next to her. She still hasn’t looked at me. Why the fuck won’t she look at me?

“I’m a little tired.” She tries to cop an excuse, but her boyfriend isn’t having it.

“It’s only seven thirty,” he practically whines like a toddler. For someone his size, he sounds like he’s five.

“Okay. Fine, I’ll go.” She stands in a huff. Something has bent this girl out of shape, and I need to know what the fuck it is.

“Aren’t you forgetting something, babe?” Caleb nudges her as he rises out of his chair and moves in next to her. At least I’m not the only one her shoulders are tensing up over. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask your dad?” He gives her a look.

“Oh, right.” She nods, looking almost annoyed at him for bringing it up. “Caleb was wondering if he could fight in the fight next weekend. Would you be able to arrange it?”

That’s a joke, right? This kid wants to fight? He’s liable to get himself killed.

“He’ll be up against Torch,” Deuce states, his voice echoing my same doubts. He doesn’t think he stands a chance either, but Deuce is trying to placate Hemsworth. And whatever his daughter wants, goes.

“I can take him.” Caleb’s eyes narrow in on me. “That’s a piece of cake.”

He’s as stupid as they come. I didn’t get my nickname The Exterminator for being weak. Everyone knows there’s a fifty-fifty chance you don’t survive when you enter the ring with me, and that choice is solely at my discretion. If the members want me to let my opponent live, I do. If they want me to finish him off, the guy leaves in a body bag.

Caleb’s fate will be decided by Evie.

“Wait. He’ll be fighting you?” Evie finally meets my eyes. Her expression casts the same doubt.

“Yes, little one. It’s me he’ll have to take down in the ring.”

“Oh.” She swallows hard, looking back at Caleb, knowing he doesn’t stand a chance. “Maybe you shouldn’t do this.”

The little shit shakes his head. “Come on. You know how fucking strong I am.”

Not strong enough. It’s not as much about physical strength as it is intelligence. Your mental acuity has to be sharp. You have to be able to read your opponent. This guy… he’s as stupid as they come.

“It’s up to Torch,” Deuce states, passing the decision to me. “He gets to choose his opponents.”

I’d be more than willing to go a few rounds on his smug face. Just the thought of him spending the day with my girl makes me want to knock him out. But he has to agree to the terms.

“Fine,” I tell him. “You can fight. But you have to agree to the stakes.” I lean into his ear, stating not what but who we will be fighting for. “If I win, she’s mine. You’re out of the picture. You pack your bags and move out of her life.”

He looks back toward Evie, his jaw tight as he thinks over his decision. If it were me, my answer would be no fucking way. No fight, no amount of money, nothing would take me away from that girl. But I knew he wasn’t in love with her. Either that or he truly is a stupid shit and actually believes he stands a chance of winning.

“Yeah, fine,” he agrees. “I’m gonna kick your ass anyway.”

Maybe he is that stupid.

“Shake on it,” I state. There’s no backing out of this deal. Once it’s sealed, it’s done.

“What are the stakes?” Evie asks, as Caleb’s hand tries to cut the circulation out of mine. He’ll be lucky if he’s still breathing at the end.

“Come,” I tell them, ignoring her question. Like hell I’m going to be telling her dad what we’ll be wagering on. “We have to get going or we’ll be late.”

I tip my head toward the others before I turn, leading the two towards the casino.

“What are the stakes, Caleb?” she asks him again as we stop by the poker table I’ve arranged for him to be playing at this evening.

“Nothing to worry about, babe. I’m going to win anyway. Yo, Blowtorch!” He turns in my direction, making me want to knock his teeth out. If he calls me that again, I’ll take a torch to his skin. “Is there a boxing gym I can warm up in? I need to get ready over these next few days so I can kick your ass.”

The only space available is for the Steel Sinners. He’s going to have to figure something else out.

“Sorry. It’s for motorcycle club members only. You’ll have to check around town.”