Page 72 of Ruthless Dream

When he laughs, I try to tug my hand away.

“I won today, Adeline.” He whispers the words, but the pride is unmistakable.

“What did you win?” I mean for it to sound flirty, but I’m afraid it’s failed.

“Well, for starters, I’ll be able to pay rent.”

I tear my hand back. Of course it makes sense there’s a cash prize. This was hardly about bragging rights. But I didn’t realize there’d been such tangible goals regarding this venture.

“You have a job.” I keep my voice low, aware the room is crowded.

“Careful, princess, or I’ll start to think you actually care if I get hurt.”

I glance at my shoes. “Have you always done this? Fight.”

“You think Leon would let an untrained fighter in his ring?”

Someone answers before I can. “No, he would not.”

An older, shorter man with the air of a high school gym teacher stares at us.

“Leon.” Ciaran smiles.

Leon doesn’t smile back. He’s too busy inspecting me. “Adeline Akatov, as I live and breathe.”

“Hello. . .”

“Did he pay you to be here or something?” he asks.

“Or something.”

His laugh is a mere huff under his breath. “You did well tonight,” he tells Ciaran.

“Well enough you’ll invite me back?”

Leon lifts a brow, silently asking me. I shake my head.

“The Akatovs don’t own the city,” Ciaran replies.

“Son, you are one stupid motherfucker. This woman will snap her fingers and replace you before your body hits the ground if you so much as piss her off one time.”

I lift my chin, agreeing.

Ciaran grimaces, one hand lightly touching his ribcage. Leon chuckles, his lips finally twitching into something that resembles a smile before he walks away.

“What do we do?” I ask, hovering close but not touching him.

“I’ll be fine,” he says, his attention snagging on something behind me.

I turn to find Nat. She’s got on a black dress, her eyeshadow smoked out. Yet, the air about her resembles a professor, studious and confident.

“What are you doing here?”

She rolls her eyes. She hates boxing. “Lia loves this place. She told me who was on for tonight.”

Nat nods at Ciaran in greeting. “You did good.”

“Thanks.”