“History,” is all Linc says.
Jesse nods.
“I love this fucking family,” Meggie announces with a bounce.
We—Linc and I—decide we’re going to be spontaneous with our outings, no pun intended. Cage is in agreement as is everyone else.
God damn, I’m going to hate this. All the attention. Linc looks at me and winks.
One day at a time.
“So… what does moving up a level mean for you?” I ask Linc when we enter our suite.
He smiles at me and rests his palms on my shoulders. “Don’t worry too much, E. It’s not much different than it is now. The guys are just more of a challenge.”
“Closer to the intensity and skill you have when you fight, right?”
He nods. “Exactly.”
“That could mean broken ribs instead of bruised. That could mean more cuts and stitches on your pretty face.”
“Pretty?” Linc asks with a laugh.
I nod. “Yeah. Your face is pretty, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to it—or to you.”
“It’s just fighting, Ethan. Just like I do now.”
“Don’t bullshit me. I know what can happen.”
He nods. “If I move up two levels, then your worry is warranted. One level, well, they’re closer to my skill, more of a challenge. I’m bored with things now, Ethan.”
“I get it. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Linc smiles. “It’s what I do. Get hurt a little but hurt them more.”
“That’s why they call you Knox,” I add, agreeing.
“Mhmm. It’ll all work out. We’ve made it this far. You wanna go grab something to eat? Be all public-like and shit?” he asks with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I could eat.”
“And the cameras?”
I shrug. “I just hope they get my good side.”
“Baby, ain’t no one taking a picture of your ass but me.”
5
LINC
WE WALK INTO THE RESTAURANT and heads turn. Ethan called ahead. His name has clout, so they got us in right away. I gotta admit, that’s sexy as hell.
I know what they see. A muscled, tatted up Hispanic dude with the normal-looking white guy. Ethan’s got tats, but somehow on him they look natural. Maybe it’s the shading. Mine have more color.
I see their eyes widen in surprise, and the whispers start. Ethan. Ethan from Falling Down. Bass guitarist from Falling Down.
Then I hear, “Who’s that with him?”
