Page 160 of The Unravelings

Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I take a deep breath. I’ve got this. Right? This will all go smoothly. Malic won’t be able to resist me. Right? Fuck. This plan is the stupidest idea on the planet. What am I thinking? Right. I’m not. I’m supposed to be this amazing, out-of-this-world, secret agent who can tackle anything. But this case—more like this place—keeps reminding me that I’m simply Olivia Viotto and the world is against me.

Every step of the way.

I could really use a drink right now. A stiff, mixed drink. I need something to take this incessant edge off and give me the numbing relief.

I suck in a breath, focusing on JJ again. I can’t drink. Not now. Or ever again. Focus, Liv.

JJ continues to stand next to the other two, watching as Mack and Hux have a heated conversation. People keep gathering around them, trying to catch their attention, including Amanda and her friends. They crowd around her like her high school friends used to do. Giddy and laughing with her. Twirling their hair with their fingers as they attempt to flirt with JJ, Hux, and Mack. Unfortunately, for them, they aren’t getting anywhere. Which makes me smirk in triumph.

Huh. Maybe Hux still isn’t really a fan of Amanda. Funny, though, how they’re going to get married very soon.

I sneak another look toward the table where all my ex-boyfriends sit together. JJ has moved closer to the other two with a serious expression on his face. Their heads are together, and they’re talking something over. Not sure what, but I pull my gaze away again. Because I can’t seem to keep my eyes off them, which is dangerous. Seriously, so fucking dangerous.

More music pours from the speakers all around the Coliseum, booming loudly. A fight ends in the ring, and referees clean up the ring quickly and leave it empty.

“It’s almost time!” Simon squeals with a giddy smile, having found me in the crowd. “So, who do we think is going to win? Hux? Malic? They’re both so damn vicious,” he whistles with excitement. “And h-hot,” he slurs with another loud chuckle.

“Babe, I’m right here,” Daniel groans, playfully putting his head on Simon’s shoulder. “But I agree. So hot.”

“Seriously!” Simon howls again with excitement. “And-and going up there with no shirts and…”

Daniel puts a hand over Simon’s mouth. “Don’t push it, babe,” he laughs again. “We get it.”

“Right,” Simon slurs behind Daniel’s hand. “Not pushing it.” Daniel moves his hands off his lips. “Because I have the-the hottest man right here!” he shouts above the crowd.

“Jesus,” Daniel curses slightly. “I can’t take you anywhere,” he teases, lowering Simon’s hands from the air and taking his beer. “If you drink any more of these, Si. You’ll be on the ground asleep.”

“Ugh, fine,” Simon moans with a huff. “I want to see-see this!” He points to the ring with a wide grin, swaying back and forth.

Me too.

I also need to figure out how to get Malic’s attention. There are so many new faces here tonight. How can I draw attention to myself, but only for him?

“I think it’s about to begin,” Daniel says, pointing to Hux as he stands from the table and comes face-to-face with Malic. They give each other heated stares. Well, Malic grins manically at Hux, who, in turn, gives Malic the stank eye, hardening his facial features and crossing his arms.

Holy shit.

I swear, a thrill runs through me at the sight of them in a standoff. Fuck. I need to gather myself before this fight.

Malic and Hux finally break apart, the tension so thick between them that you could cut it with a knife and serve it for dinner. Wilder yanks Malic back by his shirt, his fingers digging into his shoulder. He leans in, animatedly hissing something into his ear, and Malic’s entire body loosens, and he nods a few times.

JJ and Mack instantly come to Hux’s side, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Like the loyal soldiers Franco molded them to be for his most important heir. Their expressions are icy masks, staring Malic and Wilder down with nothing but darkness swirling in their eyes.

Boy. This fight might be a whole lot messier than I thought. By the expressions, they look like they’re ready to tear each other apart. Gladly, too. I know they hate each other with a deep passion. I’ve seen it on a few occasions. But right now? They really want to hurt one another.

And that’s a hard pill to swallow.

Oxygen halts in my lungs the second Malic’s gaze sweeps through the crowd of people chanting for the fight. But they seem to be nothing but background noise in his eyes as he looks for something. Or someone. My heart nearly leaps out of my chest the second those piercing blue eyes lock directly onto mine, latching onto me like he’s been desperate to find me in the sea of people he doesn’t seem to care about. I swallow hard as he holds my gaze, prodding into my mind and begging for the secrets I hold close to my chest. I stand rigid, my muscles tightening, and my heart hammering a frantic tune in my ears.

What could be described as a fighting grin spreads across his lips, breaking our staring contest. Thank fuck. I use that to turn my attention to Simon and Daniel, desperate to fade back into the safety of the crowd. Despite needing to get his attention for the night, this almost feels too close for comfort. Like I’m walking the plank and about to drop into the deepest part of the ocean I have no business diving into.

Malic is going to fucking drown me if I don’t get a hold of myself.

Mack grins when he and JJ make their way back to the table they’ve been stationed at.

“And now, is the moment you’ve all been waiting for!” Mack shouts into a microphone as his voice projects through the entire building.

“Fight! Fight!” the crowd chants ruthlessly, throwing their arms into the air.