“You sure? I mean, I don’t doubt you can beat him. But that man is running on rage right now. His life is falling apart thanks to you.”
“Trust me…he doesn’t stand a chance,” he says, and I narrow my eyes in curiosity. Rafe may be cocky, but to just assume Dom can’t win is a stretch. I quietly step off the toilet and peek out of the crack in the stall door. I can see Rafe slipping something onto his hand and his friend nodding, both of them grinning. At first, I can’t make out what it is. But then the light catches it, and I realize exactly what it is.
Brass knuckles.
I clap my hand over my mouth and take a step back again. They continue to talk, something about how he is going to end Dom once and for all. Then there is the sound of tape covering his hand and the weapon.
A moment later, they make their way out, and the room fell silent. And suddenly nothing else matters. Not the fight, not his anger, not the dance. Nothing but warning Dominic not to go in that ring.
Chapter 40
Mila
“Dom!”I shout but it’s futile with the roar of the crowd and the announcer’s voice pounding through the speakers. Still, I keep running, trying to reach him before he steps into the ring. I am running, weaving in and out of people, and at one point I even bump into a waitress.
“Hey!” she snaps and I hear a crash but I don’t care. I can apologize for a spilled drink later. But right now, if Dom gets into a fight with Rafe, he won’t have a later.
“Dom!” I call again but he still doesn’t turn around. I wait for a break in the noise and then shout at the top of my lungs. “Dominic!”
At the last second, he turns, just as he is grabbing the ropes to duck in. His scowl deepens and I can tell he’s going to blow me off but I finally reach him and grab him.
“Dom, you can’t go up there,” I tell him.
“The hell I can’t,” he says, attempting to shrug me off but I don’t let go.
“Dom, you can’t fight him,” I insist.
“Mila. I don’t have time for this. I have nothing to say to you. Thanks to someone with loose lips, my dad knows everything. And with you pregnant, this is the last shot I have at getting the Golden Rule bid. I don’t think you understand what is at stake right now.”
“Neither do you!” I say. “Dom, Rafe is the one who told your dad about everything.”
His brow furrows. “What? How?”
“Because Brynn overheard me telling Lainey everything and I guess she told Rafe. Who told your dad. And now…he’s going to hurt you.”
Dominic chews on that for a moment. And I think he might believe me. Because it all makes sense. But he isn’t buying the last part.
“Let me fight my own battles, Mila,” he says, pulling away from me.
“But Dom! He’s wearing–” I am cut off when the announcer starts talking again. I try again, but my voice is drowned out. Dom hops on the stage and there is nothing I can do. He didn’t hear me. He doesn’t know how much danger he is in. But I can literally see the bulge across Rafe’s taped knuckles. All the hurt and heartache are shoved aside. I don’t care. I can’t let him get hurt.
The bell rings and the match starts and I grab the ropes in an attempt to hop on the stage. But a security guard grabs me.
“Mila, what are you doing, honey? You can’t go up there,” he says.
“Trace, Dom is going to get hurt,” I argue. “I have to warn him.”
“It’s a boxing match, Mila. I’m sure one of them will get hurt. But my money is on Dom.”
“You don’t understand,” I say, pulling away. The crowd gasps and I look up just in time to see Dom dodge a jab. “Trace, Rafe is going to fight dirty,” I say but he ignores me and as the guy’s pivot, fists flying and I know I am running out of time. One solid hit with his lead hand and Dom is done for.
Fear motives me around to the other side of the ring. There are two guys getting a little rowdy and the security on the corner are dealing with him, giving me the opportunity to sneak by. I grab the ropes again and hop into the ring.
“Rafe is on fire tonight boys, he’s really going for blood. But Dom’s defense is also on par. It’s anyone’s game right now.” The announcer’s words shift when I stand up. “Oh. Wait a minute. One of the dancers is in the ring. Security?”
I ignore him. “Dom! Dominic!” I shout and he glares at me, waving me away as he dodges a hit. The announcer cuts back in, calling for security again. He even tells the guys to stop fighting but it’s like they don’t hear him, throwing jabs and dodging at the same time.
“Dominic!” I shout again. “He’s got brass on! Dominic!”
