“Who?” I asked, playing dumb.
Ripp cocked his head to the side with his lips pursed. “Don’t ask stupid questions. You know who.”
I threw my arms in the air. “I didn’t ask for it to happen, nor did I go looking for it. It just happened.”
I thought Ripp would tell me I was an idiot and needed to stay far away from Seth Michelson, but that wasn’t what he said. Instead, he got a far-off look in his eyes as if he knew the feeling.
“That’s usually how it goes,” he said, his voice low.
I grabbed his hand. “Well, nobody knows. I told Seth it was just sex, and that’s it. It means nothing.”
“And does it mean nothing?” he asked, lifting a quizzical brow.
“I have no clue,” I said, knowing that was somewhat of a lie. “Until Nikolai is dealt with, I can’t think of anything like that.
“Has Nikolai made any threats today that you know of?”
I laughed, but there was no humor to it. I was still shaken up over the phone call with Nikolai.
“Yeah, he called me this morning,” I blurted.
Ripp’s expression hardened. “You can’t be fucking serious? What’d he want?”
I told him about the whole conversation I had Nikolai and how he offered to give me a chance to fight him and end it all for good. And if I lost, I’d have to work for him. Now that I thought more about it, it was a giant load of horseshit. Either way, I was going to lose if I went. I wanted revenge more than anything; maybe that was what Nikolai hoped for. He knew I’d come after him any chance I got. I’d tried already and failed.
“He also gave me a third option,” I confessed.
Ripp moved closer, his eyes eagerly searching mine. “Tell me.”
“Nikolai said he would forget about you and the other fighters in our group if I turned Seth over to him.”
“Wow,” Ripp said, whistling in disbelief.
“You know I would do anything to help you and the others, right?”
His gaze softened and he nodded. “I know, Wren. You don’t have to feel guilty for your decision. Personally, I don’t like Seth Michelson, but even I wouldn’t have turned him over to his brother.”
“Thanks, Ripp,” I said, laying my head on his shoulder. “I don’t like the games these people play.”
Ripp leaned his chin on the top of my head. “Neither do I. But if anyone can play back, it’s you.”
I let out a small chuckle. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
My stomach started to growl, and I clutched my stomach. “As much as I’d like to stay here and talk for hours, I’m starving. Seth and I are ordering takeout from K&B’s Bistro. Do you want anything?”
He snorted. “Nah, I’m good. I don’t want to be the third wheel. I’m just going to hang out here tonight.”
That was a relief. At least I didn’t have to worry about anything happening to him. I, on the other hand, was going to test the limits.
Would Seth catch me or not? We were about to find out.
CHAPTER23
WREN
Dinner was amazing.
I could eat food from K&B’s Bistro every night of the week. Afterward, Seth asked if I’d spend the rest of the night with him, but I declined, saying I was too tired. I wanted to spend the night in his arms, but I had to test him.
