I turned around, being nosey to see what was behind me.
Nothing but foot traffic.
Suki leaned over. “Oop, bitch, is he looking at one of us?”
She pointed to herself. Rayzor’s eyes shifted. Then Rhea. Nothing. Suki pointed to me. His stare bore into me.
My breathing hitched.
“That’s sand you keep away from the beach,” Rhea murmured to me.
My heart steadily thumped. I couldn’t break away.
“Bitch, is he looking at you?” Suki whispered then giggled.
I froze. My girls leaned in.
“No,” I lied because you couldn’t mistake it.
“Don’t fall for it,” Rhea warned.
“I’m not…”
I clutched my bag and shifted in my seat. I felt myself falling deeper into his trance as the noise around me faded. Smoke rose from underneath his feet. Or maybe it was just me. Whatever the hell was happening, I had no control over it or my body.
“Whew, that shit must be good in her head,” Suki commented.
I heard her but I couldn’t pull myself away.
The world came alive when he walked away, releasing me from the unwarranted hold.
Second round
Just before the second round ended, one of Rayzor’s security and another man stalked through the crowd. I paid attention, but nobody else seemed to care.
“Having fun, E?” Suki asked, oblivious to the men heading our way.
I turned to her, peripheral on the men.
“Better than I thought. You see the way Rayzor turned that man every way but loose,” I engaged.
“Hell yeah. He’s going to take over the industry. He’s already on the–”
“After the fight, stay here,” the man interrupted. “Rayzor wants you to come backstage.”
I didn’t look up, thinking he was talking to someone else.
“E, he’s talking to your ass, girl.” Suki nudged.
“Me?” I repeated, pointing to myself and turning toward the men.
“Yeah, you,” he said, unamused.
“Why?” I asked. “Who you?”
“City,” Suki and the man said at the same time.
City’s eyes went from me to Suki.
