Kellen had looked into the man, and what he knew for a fact was that Tommy Chen ran a criminal network of sorts. But he didn’t move drugs or involve himself in slavery or sex-selling of any kind. He did make a hefty profit off weapons, though, and he kept the peace in Cross Step among Voiders. Thanks to Chen, no one went on a rampage anymore, or Nev would have no doubt tried to take over the town.
For all that Chen was trouble for many, Kellen thought he solved more problems than he made. Then again, he wasn’t a fan of the local authority and didn’t see the Salinas as more than Norm policing, never Voider control.
But if Viper wanted him dead, she had her reasons. He trusted her, though he probably shouldn’t. They’d both saved each other’s lives countless times, and he thought she enjoyed not being so alone when with him, the same way he’d felt with her. They’d never been sexual, and oddly, that had never come up as a point of contention. He’d shut down to the point that he didn’t want sex with anyone not a Ravager. And after what Nev and Will had done to him, he didn’t want sex with anyone for a long time after leaving Cross Step.
Though Viper seemed sensuous enough, she didn’t give off any desirous vibes. He looked at her and thought of one thing only—death.
She caught his gaze, stared for a second, then looked away.
Knowing he’d be foolish to bring attention to her, he subtly glanced past her, only to see Chen staring at him.
Shit.
All night, he hadn’t heard or seen anything to help the prime, with the exception of what Viper had told him. And now he might have caught the attention of a man he’d do better to steer clear of, especially since the guy was going to die tonight.
Before he could break away, Dante stepped up onto the dais with the Roc.
“What the hell?”
Dean swore, “Damn it. Dante, man. Get back here!”
“Idiot.” Another Ravager shook his head. “Okay, guys. Are we betting on Dante or against him?”
Everyone started pooling money before betting on their berserker to win.
“Hell. Put twenty on Dante from me.” All the currency Kellen had accrued during his time away from the Lawless clan had disappeared, all Lawless accounts frozen. He’d worked freelance for cash just to get back to the States but hadn’t needed money in the Savage camp. Tonight, he’d been given a hundred dollars from Prime himself. He hoped he didn’t lose it by betting poorly.
Dean slapped him on the back, and Kellen ignored a tinge of discomfort, again reinforcing how different he felt when among Kate’s pack.
As if he’d conjured them, a familiar scent hit him.
He turned to see Jesse staring at him from across the room, his gaze hard.
Kellen blinked in surprise, but someone walked in front of Jesse, obscuring his view. When the man passed, Jesse was gone.
Great. An assassination getting ready to happen, and Jesse might be in the crosshairs.
“Fight!” a woman roared, and Dante and the Roc stole his attention.
Kellen watched with the others, ringside, as Dante and the Roc pounded each other, both grinning, their eyes mad, living for the battle. They continued to hammer on each other, with the Ravagers being the loudest, their constructive criticism managing to piss Dante off, which made him fight harder.
Smart.
“He’s pretty good. Not graceful but powerful.”
Kellen glanced to his left to seeTommy Chenstanding next to him. A few inches shorter but no less powerful, Chen seemed to hum with energy. A lot like Viper did, that same spark of alien magic that warned all to be wary. A glance at Chen’s arms showed his tribal tattoos dark, and oddly menacing.
“Ravagers are built for power, not grace.” Kellen snorted. “He’s not a ballerina.”
Chen grinned. “True.” They watched the fight for a few minutes before Chen said, “You’re new. Kellen, right?”
Kellen nodded, and out of the corner of his eye saw Mei Lin looking less than pleased.
“Well, Kellen, I have a favor to ask.”
Kellen raised a brow and waited.
“Give me a fight. I need something to shake off the doldrums, and something tells me you have just what I need.” Chen smiled, but Kellen saw nothing but a threat in the expression.
