Page 45 of Ash Storm

He knows he’s protected by Afsan.

“I would be careful, if I were you,” he drawled. “Maybe I should find the woman and show you how a real man does it.”

Ash ignored the panic sweeping through him. “When I win the last fight tonight, I will take my million … and I will demand an apology from you.”

“Just remember, I’ve got my eyes on you, Romano.”

Shit, just what I need.

To have this asshole watching me.

This was going to be a problem.

He had to find a way to communicate with Griffin.

The group of men ambled towards them. Afsan was with them, along with two of his guards. The guards were good. Not overly confident.

“Ah, here’s one of my top fighters. I’m expecting great things from you tonight, Romano.”

“Thank you for the opportunity, Signor Afsan,” he said, imbuing his voice with subservience.

“Ahmed. Is this the Roman Stallion? Will you introduce me, please?” Griffin asked mildly. A server passed by with a tray filled with candies, and Griffin spent an eternity selecting a piece of toffee, taking it carefully between long fingers.

“Signor Romano, meet my guest, Mr. Greg Adair.”

Griffin transferred the candy to his other hand and shook Ash’s hand enthusiastically. His was sticky with sugar, and Ash looked down in distaste. “Uh. Sorry. I—let me look for something to—“

Ash made a show of wiping his right hand on his jeans. “It’s okay,” he said, taking a quick step back.

“Yes. I was so impressed by your fight yesterday.” Griffin hopped from foot to foot, looking ridiculous in his too-tight pants and sandals. “When you hit your opponent with that uppercut and then—“

The appearance of a server saved him from having to respond.

“Champagne, perhaps?” Afsan asked.

Griffin took a glass and downed it without even looking at it. “Your champagne is good, but I’m looking forward to tonight, Ahmed, to tell you the truth. I’m in need of a different kind of … entertainment,” he said, forming air quotes with his hands. “If you see what I mean.”

Ash almost laughed.

“Ah, my friend,” Afsan said. “You are among friends here. Every day, morning and night, we sweep for microphones. There are no microphones here. No cameras. Here,” Afsan finished, waving his arms around grandiosely, “we can be ourselves.”

Ash kept his expression neutral.

Right.

“When do I get to see the women?” Griffin asked. Afsan’s smile froze on his face at the man’s whiny tone.

“If you’d arrived on time, as I requested, you would have seen them yesterday already.” Afsan slapped Ash hard on the back. The man was a lot stronger than he looked. “In fact, my friend here got to sample one of the women himself. Didn’t you, Romano?”

“I did indeed, and I thank you for that,” Ash said. He didn’t miss Alistair’s dark look from behind Afsan’s shoulder.

So Alistair hasn’t shared his concerns with Afsan yet.

He’s not sure.

“But how will I know if I’m interested in any of them?” Griffin asked, sounding eager and slimy at the same time.

“Patience is a virtue, my friend. Have some more champagne. Enjoy yourself. The ladies are being readied as we speak.”