Page 69 of Ruthless Dream

People rail against women dressing up to go to the gym, but tonight I’ve been strictly instructed to do so. But only because Leon’s Gym has been transformed for a special event.

I’ve heard of Leon’s before. Kids at high school treated it like the closest thing to Vegas. Underground fights happening in the middle of New York City. Drinking, betting, and women in tight, skimpy clothes were enough to attract rich schoolboys.

I’d tried to go once, but the weekend before I’d gotten into a massive fight with my mom when I crossed state lines to go to a concert. Marco, of course, ratted me out. I’ve learned since then there are worse things than when your bodyguard is a tattletale.

Ciaran sounded giddy when he asked me to add it to my calendar.

“You’re going to fight?” I asked, skeptical.

“Why are you looking at me like you think I’ll lose?” he frowned, but his warm brown eyes crinkled in amusement.

I spent all morning at the library, and then a stupid amount of time back at Ciaran’s getting ready. We’d missed each other because he’d been with his uncle before heading straight to Leon’s.

I smooth the fabric of my black, snakeskin leather dress. I never totter in heels, but I’m not normally nervous when I walk around in six-inch stilettos.

Tonight, I’m slipping into Ciaran’s corner of the world. Our arrangement has always been the other way, hinging on Ciaran stepping into my sphere of influence. I might be aware of Leon's, but it’s not my haunt, and I don’t truly know anyone who hangs out there.

Plus I’ll be meeting Ciaran’s family for the first time ever.

It started with a knock on Ciaran’s door. He’d told me his cousin would escort me to Leon’s.

“You think I can’t follow GPS?” Did he forget I have an armed guard that could help me if I get lost.

A dramatic long-suffering sigh slipped from Ciaran. “The place will be crowded, and there will be a lot of people who. . .”

“Are you worried about me or afraid I might be persuaded to cheer for someone else?” I teased.

“Seamus will pick you up,” he’d replied, his voice slipping into that rock hewn tone that made my toes curl.

Seamus is tall and skinny and has a constant smile on his face. He’s also a total flirt.

“You ready?” he asks as we get closer.

The street is eerily empty, a row of warehouses dark in the night. The moment the door opens, lights and noise nearly knock me over. No wonder this place is always compared to Vegas.

From what I understand, Leon’s Gym is a legitimate sports club. A place people can work out. It’s been transformed for tonight, the warehouse cleared of all equipment except for an octagon.

Men yell at the fight currently happening. I’m dressed appropriately, matching all the other women dressed in the tiniest clothes available to them. My eyeliner is flicked out, and my favorite wine stained color lipstick completes the look.

Seamus grabs my hand, ensuring we don’t get lost in the crowd. He respectfully drops it the moment we come to a table. There are a few set up, all filled by men in Italian suits and drinking top shelf.

“This is our uncle,” Seamus introduces, speaking in my ear so I can hear him over the crowd.

His uncle appears younger than I expected. His suit is blue, and he’s well groomed. But there’s an air of. . . I know I’m attractive.

He doesn’t stand as his eyes sweep over me. I’m jostled, and Seamus quickly prods me forward while yelling over his shoulder at whoever is behind us.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

Cormac nods, a smile slithering onto his face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Adeline. Ciaran will be thankful to have his lucky charm by his side.”

His words bring home the fact that Ciaran is about to actually fight in a boxing ring. It’d just been an idea, a fact, something that would occur, but I’d admittedly been too busy worrying about everything else.

A woozy feeling tilts my world. Why is everyone so happy to be shouting at people wailing on one another?

“Take a seat,” Seamus offers, pulling out a chair. “This is Dermot, Byron. . .”

I’m inundated with O'Connells. Several merely nod before disappearing into the crowd as if they’d only wanted to confirm I’d come.