It doesn't take long before Cassie leads Paxton to the dance floor mouthing from over her shoulder, "Be right back."

I give her a thumbs up and nod before they're eaten up by the crowd of gyrating bodies. While I wait for Jo to get back, I order another water and down it faster than my first one. I take notice of a few potential dance partners but can't find the desire to actually approach them. One ballsy guy starts walking my way and I instantly turn the other way, deterring him completely while my inner thoughts taunt me.

I'm being stupid. Jace and I are not together, but the look in his ocean eyes when he pressed for a promise from me still lingers in my mind. I should've just outright told him that I wasn't going to dance with any guys. It's not like I want to anyway. Even the thought of someone else touching me makes me cringe.

But I also can't ignore the doubt floating around inside me. If he wants a commitment then he needs to say so. I can't just hang out in limbo forever waiting for him to finally feel like he can talk to me openly and honestly.

"Back!" Josie yells, appearing out of thin air. "Sorry about that."

"Everything okay?"

She nods. "Yeah, I was just trying to convince Tyree not to call Kade."

My face pinches together with confusion. "Why?"

Jo chews on her red painted lip for a second before she sighs. "The Hideaway isn't exactly the best place to hang out. I mean, it's fun but the guys definitely wouldn't approve. If they caught wind that we're here, they'd storm in and haul our pretty asses out of here in the blink of an eye."

I can see what she's saying. Between people hooking up in dark corners, underaged drinking, and drug use, this isn't the kind of place most people would consider safe. Jace would flip the fuck out if he saw me here.

"Not to mention Cassie," I finish my thoughts out loud.

Josie's eyes skyrocket. "Exactly! Forget seeing us here, if they saw her..." she trails off before making an explosion noise and simulating the idea with her hands.

"I still can't believe this was her idea. I thought she was supposed to be the angel."

"Looks like the angel burned off her wings." Jo laughs. "It was only a matter of time before she started rebelling. They can't keep her innocent forever."

True, and it could only get worse the more they try to keep her grounded. That overprotective nature is going to come back and bite both Jace and Kade in the ass, sooner rather than later apparently.

"Speaking of which." Jo pauses and looks around. "Where did Cassie go?"

I nod towards the dance floor. "Some hottie whisked her off to bump and grind the night away."

"Good for her." Josie nods her approval. "You wanna dance some more too?"

"Yeah, let's go!"

The two of us push through the crowd until we reach a decent opening to let loose. Between shaking my ass and laughing with Jo, I sneak occasional looks at Cassie.

She and Paxton are against the far wall dancing with each other like they're trying to make a baby. Jo doesn't notice, too lost in the music and whipping her hair around. After several songs, the couple takes a small break to grab some more water before going back at it like a couple of horny teenagers. Technically they are a couple of horny teenagers but I can't help the need to watch over her.

"Water!" Jo pants. "I need water!"

I'm feeling fine thanks to the two waters I already had. "You want me to come with you?"

She shakes her head, her red strands sticking to her sweaty skin. "No, keep it up. I'll be back in just a second."

I do as she says and keep dancing all by myself. After a couple seconds, I feel someone's hands on my hips. I instantly step out of their grasp and turn around to face a cute guy with short blonde hair and big green eyes.

"You wanna dance, baby?" He asks confidently.

If this was months ago, I might've said yes. But now all I want to do is run to the nearest bathroom and scrub the feeling of this guy's hands off of me. It's not even that he's bad looking or seems like a creep, it's just that he's...not Jace.

"No." I shake my head and shrug apologetically. "Sorry."

"Aww, come on, baby. It's just a dance."

Okay, maybe now he's acting like a creep.

I open my mouth to shut him down again when someone does it for me.

"You heard her. Get lost!" A very angry, very familiar voice barks from behind me.

I turn around with wide eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Jace growls, his strong jaw ticking as his eyes lock on the other guy.

I'd worry about the poor guy if I wasn't already frantically looking around for another blonde. Instead of spotting Cassie, my eyes are pulled to a loud commotion by the bar. A flash of red peaks through the crowd as the disturbance travels towards the stairs until I can finally see Kade stomping up the steps with Josie thrown over his shoulder. She bangs her fists on his back but it's like she's hitting a brick wall over and over again. The guards by the door don't even attempt to stop him as they lean back laughing and enjoying the skeptical.

Damn, damn, damn.

"And you are?" the dumbass who asked me to dance has the audacity to sneer at Jace.

Bad move, buddy.

Jace's hands ball into fists as he takes a step towards the idiot. "Her fucking boyfriend and the guy that's about to ring your scrawny fucking neck if you don't back down."

Um...boyfriend? What?

The guy stumbles back, bumping into the people dancing behind him before turning around and running off like a scaredy-cat. But I don't get a chance to laugh at the ridiculous exit before Jace spins to face me.

"We're leaving now," Jace says through gritted teeth as he grabs my hand and begins dragging me away.

He doesn't go the same way we came in, opting for a door off to the side of the DJ booth like he already knows the place. I try to look for Cassie again before we walk out but can't see her anywhere.

"Jace, stop." I pull against his hold with no luck. "Can you just wait a fucking minute?"

He ignores me and continues through the door where we find ourselves in a long hallway. While I continue to protest, Jace ushers me along, up a flight of stairs, and then out a door that spills us into an outside alley. Irritated beyond reason, I try to stomp my way down the alley in hopes of finding the main road. My only thoughts are on putting distance between us long enough for me to contact Cassie. Of course, I don't get far before I feel Jace's hand wrap around my wrist and spin me back.

"Manhandle me one more fucking time, Hall, and I will..."

I'm cut off as Jace slams his lips to mine, pulling me tightly against him and stealing all the air from my lungs. I try to resist but there's no use. Once his tongue connects with mine I'm done for, my body fusing to his like glue.

His rough urgent kisses travel from my mouth to my jaw. "I was so fucking scared when I heard you were here, baby."

Jace's raw confession pulls at my heartstrings, making me forget about why I was irritated to begin with. His mouth continues it's assault on my body while his words spill and wreak havoc with my mind.

"This place is dangerous." Kiss. "You shouldn't have come here." Suck. "What if something had happened to you?" Bite. "You got any idea what that would've done to me?" Lick. "Don't ever fucking scare me like that again, baby." Kiss.

My eyes threaten to roll back in my head with each touch of his lips. His mouth feels so good against my skin that I can't think straight. I don't even realize he's been moving me until my back hits a brick wall. The crumbled and cracked edges dig into my skin but the pain doesn't make impact compared to how amazing Jace feels against me.

He bites lightly on my collar bone, his hands sneaking beneath my sheer shirt and a moan escapes me. Jace groans with satisfaction, making my heart race. With each pounding thump of my pulse, my foggy thoughts try to snap me from the haze.

Focus, Lexi!

"J-Jace...stop...wait. I n-need a minute," my breathy voice stutters, slowly making my way back to sanity.

With a growl he pulls away, his sculpted face no longer desperate and worried. Oh no. Jace clenches his jaw as he steps back, his shoulders stiff and his brow furrowed with...anger?

Oh, come the hell on!

"Why'd you come here?" He asks, his voice taut and strained.

"Why did you?"

"I'm not fuckin' around, Lex!"

"Neither am I! I told you we were going dancing, and that's exactly what we were doing in there!"

"Right, with some guy trying to get between your legs?" Jace sneers, his fists balling up at his sides.

If he thinks he has a right to be pissed right now than he has another thing coming. I didn't do anything wrong, despite lying to him about Cassie being here and he still doesn't even know about that. So, whatever reason he's given himself to be angry is ridiculous.

With thinning patience, I step towards him. "I wasn't dancing with him. I turned him down. You know that, so don't try that bullshit with me!"

"You still shouldn't have been here."

"Why? Because you say so? Who are you? My supposed 'boyfriend'?" I scoff. "I don't answer to you, Jace, and if you want the privilege of that title than be real with me and say so!"

His intense eyes hold mine, stilling my breath for what feels like an eternity when in actuality it's less than a couple seconds before he's closing the distance between us.

"And what if I do?"

I throw my arms wide. "Then you know the deal."

Jace stops in his tracks, his face falling like someone just ran over his puppy. "I'll have to tell you everything." It's not a question. He already knows that's what I want.

A stabbing pain hits me in the chest at the way he says that. It feels like he's signing some kind of death warrant. An end to our game of cat and mouse.

Panic fills my veins.

"At least tell me why I can't be here? Why this place is so dangerous besides the illegal substances and all that shit? Why were you so scared you had to come here and drag me out?" I'm both grasping at straws and settling for less than what I deserve.

Jace should trust me. He should be able to tell me anything if he wants to be with me that bad. I want it. He wants it. Why is that so hard to do?

His eyes drop to the dirty ground. "I can't. Not yet."

My heart snaps in two.

"Last night you said you were selfish." I nod, slowly backing away. "That you weren't going to let go this time. Well, you were right about one thing. You are selfish, Jace. Selfish to think I can give you all of me when you won't do the same thing."

Jace's eyes snap up to look at me just long enough for me to see the anguish floating in those deep blue pools before I turn and walk away.

Voice's sound at the end of the alley but it's hard to make them out over the car crash of emotions roaring inside me. With each step I take, each clap of my heels against the pavement, I fight back the tears.

It's been just over twenty-four hours since Jace had me falling apart at the tattoo shop. Twenty-four blissful hours of me thinking this could work. That we had a chance.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

As long as he shuts me out, we'll never have a chance at anything more than a physical connection. A lustfully charged bond where he'll walk around possessive and demanding things of me that he hasn't earned. I've been through enough. I deserve more than that.

And if he can't give that to me, then he doesn't get anything in return.

Finally reaching the road at the end of the alley, I come to a standstill at seeing Josie and Kade bickering on the sidewalk. The second they notice me they both grow quiet.

"What's going on?" Jace asks the two of them, making me nearly jump out of my heels.

I hadn't realized he was following me, but I should've figured.

Instead of paying me any attention, he walks around to get to his cousin. Another wave of pain hits me and I fight like hell to hold it back, but the look on Josie's face says she can see it all. Her emerald eyes flicking to Jace with anger before she shoulders past him to come stand at my side.

"You okay, honey?" she whispers.

My phone vibrates in my bra as I nod. I fish it out, grabbing onto the hope of a distraction.

Cassie: Saw dumb and dumber drag you and Jo away. Are you guys leaving?

Alexis: I think so, yeah. Are you okay?

Cassie: I'm fine. About to leave in a minute. Paxton's calling me an Uber.

Alexis: Let me know when you get home safe.

Cassie: You do the same.

I show Josie the messages so the boys don't see and she nods after reading them.

"Is he being an asshole?" Jo asks, jutting her twin towards Jace.

"Yeah." My lip trembles annoyingly. "I don't want to go back there with him. Not tonight. I'm going to have to make some calls."

She squeezes my arm reassuringly. "You can stay at my place tonight."

"Really?"

"Yeah, of course." Jo smiles sweetly at me.

Neither of us notice the boys approaching until Kade butts in.

"So, you two are going back to your place?" He asks Jo.

With tight lips, all her warmth fades away. "Yup. That's the plan."

I can't help but look at Jace. It's stupid, I shouldn't be worried about what he thinks but I do it anyway and instantly regret it. His eyes shine with irritation and possibly even something sad, but he keeps his expression stone cold.

Kade looks at his phone. "Alright, let us know when you two get there. I gotta get home." He glances over at Jace. "And you gotta get going."

"To where?" I ask without thinking and watch Jace from the corner of my eye.

But if I was expecting an answer, I'm sorely mistaken.

The two guys walk away without another word. They head to the corner where they turn and disappear.

"Did they park down there?" I ask Josie.

She stares down at the Uber app on her phone with a sour expression. I'm not even sure she heard me, lost in the turmoil written across her face.

"Was Kade being an asshole too?"

Jo laughs. "When is he not being an asshole?"

I can't answer that. I've never personally experienced that side of him, but I'm starting to get the feeling he and Jace are a lot alike.

"This is fucking bullshit." Jo seethes before looking at me. "Why do we have to do what they say? Why should we go home just cause they demand it? We were having fun. I'm not ready to call it a night. Are you?"

"Um...no?"

I don't know what the hell I want to do, but the idea of leaving just cause that's what Jace wants doesn't sit well with me. Josie's right. We were having fun. Why should we leave just cause they are?

"I have the perfect idea!" Josie smiles wickedly. "And we only have to walk a couple blocks."

Dressed for the fight, I lean my forearms against the balcony bars and stare down at the guys duking it out below. I try to watch each punch carefully but my mind can't focus on anything besides Alexis. The look on her face in the alley taunts me, mocks me for being a fucking pussy. Too scared to give her what she wants.

But how can I not be?

When I knocked the shit out of Derek, she ran from me. After seeing my bloodied face from fighting with the Vipers, she dodged me for two damn days. Every time she gets the slightest glimpse at who I really am she gets scared and runs for the fucking hills. It only makes sense that she'll take off again once I lay all my cards on the table. She'll take one look, disappear, and never look back.

It's too much of a risk.

But not telling her isn't working either. I'm going to lose her. I'm already fucking this up.

Hanging my head, I give up on watching the fight. It's not like I need to know what happens to prepare for mine. It's just a good thing to do in case I ever have to face off against one of them down the line.

"You alright, brother?" Wilder asks, leaning against the railing beside me.

"Do I look alright?"

"No. You look like shit." He chuckles. "I know you're just taking Kade's fight but you still gotta get your head in the game. Taking an L tonight will still affect your next fight."

With a sigh, I stand up straight. "I know. I just got a lot of shit going through my head."

"Like Lexi?"

I look over to see his knowing grin. "Yeah. Like Lexi."

He shrugs and pushes his blonde hair out of his face. "Then talk about it. Get it out now so you're not thinking about it in the cage."

Out of everyone, Wilder's the easiest to talk to. It could stem from the fact that we're more like brothers than friends, or because he's opened up to me about his own issues more than once. No matter the reason, he's always had my back, even with emotional shit like this.

But how the fuck do I sum everything up? All that's happened and could happen between me and Lex, it's a fucking lot to explain.

Getting the hint, Wilder asks, "Have you two fucked yet?"

I laugh. "Almost."

"So you've made progress. That's good."

"Yeah." My humor sobers real quick. "I think she might be ready to make shit official."

He tilts his head to the side. "So what's the fucking problem?"

"She won't do it till I tell her everything. Guardians, fighting, Vipers, all of it."

"And you're scared she can't handle it?" Wild reads my mind.

"Pretty much."

"You won't know till you tell her. So why torture yourself? Rip off the fucking band-aid and do it already."

"You of all people know it's not that easy." I deadpan.

He cringes slightly at that.

Wilder's the most secretive person I've ever met. God help the unlucky chick that winds up falling for him. Not that he couldn't treat her right. He's more than capable of that, but like with Lex, that would mean being an open book. And that's one thing Wild would fight tooth and nail. That's why he drops any girl that starts getting too attached. It's just not something he's ready for.

"Touche," Wild nods. "But I'm not you, and I don't have someone who means to me what Lex means to you."

"What if she asks me to stop it all? Leave the Guardians and quit fighting."

He chews on that for a minute. "Fighting wouldn't be a big deal. You only do it as an outlet and I'm sure you could release that same tension by fucking her brains out multiple times a day."

I can't help the laugh at that one. He's not wrong.

"But do you think you could actually leave the Guardians for her?"

Every muscle in my body stiffens with that thought. The Guardians are my family, no matter how much I care about Lexi I can't give that up. They gave me a purpose, a home. Losing them would feel like losing a piece of myself. But would I do it?

I don't know. All I know is if I did, I'd regret it.

"I can't," I answer truthfully.

Wilder tips his head back and forth. "Eh, technically you can. You're not patched yet. But if you think you'd consider it just to make her happy, than wait till after you're patched. Do your initiation and then fucking tell her everything. That way it's done with and you really can't quit."

It's not a bad idea. If I knew when the hell I was gonna get patched, that is.

As if reading my thoughts once again, Wild adds, "Besides, with the way things are going with the Vipers, chances are we'll be full-fledged Guardians any day now. Your Uncle is gonna need the numbers, especially after missing Valentine's deadline yesterday."

My entire being freezes in place.

Fuck!

I completely forgot about that! I was too busy getting knuckles deep in Lexi last night to think about it.

Wild laughs at the look on my face. "Relax. A bunch of us spent the night at the barn to keep an eye on things. We all know Rob was never gonna take that deal. You should've seen him pacing all night in his office though. Thought he was gonna wear a hole into the fucking floor."

"Did he hear anything from them?" I turn to him, my mind focussed on only one thing for the first time in days.

"No." He shakes his head. "We all would've heard something if he did. Now it's just a matter of waiting for them to make their first move. But like I said, if Valentine was serious, we're gonna need bigger numbers."

I nod my agreement. We may be stronger but the Vipers outnumber us three to one. We're going to have to fix that, and soon.

Wilder goes back to watching the fight and just when I'm about to do the same, a familiar voice calls out from behind us. We turn around to see Monte approaching in one of his usual suits and his signature cigar hanging in his mouth. What isn't familiar though is the guy standing next to him, or should I say, kid.

With spikey bleach blonde hair and ice-blue eyes, the gangly kid by Monte's side stands a good foot taller than him. He's almost my height but it's the babyface that gives him away. He's young. Too young to be in a place like this.

"Hey, boys. I want ya to come meet someone." Monte waves us over.

We walk over, both Wild and I sizing the kid up.

Monte slaps a meaty paw on the boys back and smiles around his cigar. "Jace, Wilder, this is my youngest son, Kellen."

The kid moves first, holding his hand out to me. I shake it before Wilder does the same. For being Monte's kid, I'm not surprised to see him conduct himself with respect, especially towards his father's fighters. But I'm also not surprised to see that haunting look in his eyes and the cold expression on his face.

I can't imagine Monte being the kind of father who tucked his kids in at night and read them stories, not unless those stories were about breaking kneecaps. This poor kid has probably seen more than he should at his age, and it shows in the way he carefully watches not only us but everyone around us.

"It's nice to meet ya both," Kellen says in a deeper tone than I expected. "I've seen you guys fight. You're some badass motherfuckers."

Monte smiles proudly. "Damn right they are. Just like you'll be."

Wilder and I both glance at each other questioningly.

"Kellen's gonna start fighting next year. Figured I'd start showing him around," Monte explains.

"How fucking old are you?" Wild bluntly asks, his face pinched together in a mix of horror and confusion.

Kellen straightens up and puffs out his chest. "Fourteen."

"He'll be fifteen before he gets in the cage," Monte adds. "Not much younger than you two were when you first started fighting."

He's got us there. The first time Wild and I got in the cage we were both sixteen. But we both had reasons to be there. Wilder needed the money and I needed to punch something, a lot. Then again, the same could be said about this kid. Everyone has their own reasons for fighting. Who the fuck am I to say my reasons are any better than his?

I access Kellen's built and nod towards his thin biceps. "You're gonna need to put on more muscle than that."

Monte shrugs. "Believe or not, he's been training for years. Poor boy is just built like this, but he can scrap with the best of 'em. Even had him take on a few minor matches with some of the guys this morning."

If that's true then that's really saying something considering there's not a scratch on Kellen's face. That or they took it easy on him. Won't know for sure till he takes on his first fight.

"I was actually wondering." Monte's round face tilts up to look at Wilder. "Maybe you'd consider training him a little for me. He's already out beat all his old trainers and there aren't many others willing to take on the bosses son. What do you think, Wild?"

Wilder's eyebrows pull tightly together as he tips his head to the side.

"I'll pay you," Monte adds.

That's all it takes.

"Deal." Wild nods.

Monte smiles wide. "That's my boy. Alright, I'll leave you two be. But I'll come talk to you after the fight, Wilder. That way we can work out the details."

When the two walk away, I flash a big shit-eating grin at my brother.

"You ready for that, Wild?"

He huffs. "I'm gonna have to be."

"Woo! Knock him out!" Josie screams from beside me, fist-pumping in the air.

Jo's idea of something fun to do was to come watch a bunch of guys beat each other to a pulp inside a metal cage hidden in the middle of this fight...club?...thing? I don't know, but it looks insane.

I never would've guessed such a place existed, hidden inside one of the many abandoned warehouses just a few blocks from The Hideaway. But I guess once you've danced the night away in an underground night club, the idea of another crumbling building housing a fighting league doesn't sound that far fetched.

Manic spectators surround a makeshift ring boxed in by a metal cage. They cheer and shout for their favorite fighter, or in Josie's case, the one with the sexiest shorts. At the moment, the two guys fighting are a Hispanic dude with a buzzcut, lots of tattoos, and blain black shorts and a scruffy brunette with a grim reaper inked into his back and silky blue shorts with the words 'Grade A Meat' on his ass.

Josie's rooting for Scruffy of course.

I smile at her enthusiastic face before looking down at the text that just came through on my phone.

Cassie: Home safe. Had blast with you girls. We need to do that again sometime! BTW I got Paxton's number! 😆

Thank god!

Breathing a sigh of relief, my body unwinds to enjoy the show, and I have to say, despite my initial shock of this place, it's actually been pretty fun. Maybe it's just the adrenaline in the crowd but I'm enjoying it.

I look around, expecting the place more. There's a balcony above our heads where Jo says the fighters hang out during the fights. I don't know how she knows this place or details like that, but I'm having too much fun to ask. I'm tired of overthinking and needing answers to everything. I just want to relax and be another raving face in the crowd.

Buzzcut isn't looking good right now. His stance is sloppy and he looks worn out. The mob of fans must see it too as they start chanting, "Grayson! Grayson!"

Scruffy sends his opponent a cruel smile right before he lands a kick to the ribs. A distinct crunching noise is easily heard and makes me cringe as the other guy hits the ground gasping for air. Jo and the people around us cheer louder while a few girls look away.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Josie yells before giving me an apologetic smile. "Are you having fun?"

I nod, unable to resist her infectious smile. "Yeah, this is awesome!"

"Right!"

A couple bulky guys help the fallen fighter out of the ring while the winner gets a round of approving claps on his back as he struts through the crowd and up the stairs to the balcony. Two more guys come down, escorted by more muscle. They're both wearing hooded robes that hide their faces. One in green with a clover on the back and another in black with a sword on his back.

The two enter the ring and stand at opposite ends while the announcer takes center stage, mic in hand. He starts by announcing the rules before waving over to the guy in green.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we have an up and comer in our league. To my right, it's Connor!" The announce roars before the fighter pulls back his hood.

A section of the crowd cheers. Connor strips his robe off, revealing matching green shorts with clovers all over and a white tank top. He looks a little goofy with a slim face, short orange hair, and large ears.

"The luck of the Irish himself will be taking on an old favorite," the announce bellows into the mic as he points towards the fighter in black.

For some reason unknown to me, I step closer to the cage.

"The man on my left, you know him, I know him. The one and only Jace!"

The masses roar to life but it's like I can't hear a thing as the black hood is pulled back by tapped hands to reveal the profile of a face I know better than my own. It's the same face that's tempted me in my dreams, that watched me come apart on his skilled fingers the night before, the same face I woke up to this morning.

"Jace," I whisper out loud.

"Oh my god," Josie gasps beside me before turning to stare at my stunned face. "I'm so sorry, Lex. I didn't know he was going to be here. He wasn't supposed to fight tonight."

I can barely register her panicked words as my eyes roam over the vision in front of me.

A pair of black shorts with a silver sword on one leg hang on his hips, displaying his glorious V, making my mouth water despite the circumstances. The lights above shine on his muscular body, setting a spotlight to the ink engraved on his skin. My chest tightens at the sight of him as a million questions run through my head.

The guy across the ring may seem desirable to some but next to the shinning warrior before him, there's no comparison. Jace steals the show and there is no doubt that it's him the girls in the room are all screaming for.

Jace's hardened eyes barely graze over the chanting crowd as he cracks his taped fists. His body stands taut, ready for battle, but the look in his eyes is empty. His mind isn't here, it's off somewhere else and at this moment I would pay anything to know what he's thinking. Why is he here? Why is he doing this?

The announcer calls for if the fighters are ready and both nod before bumping fists. Jace finally snaps back with the physical contact and his eyes narrow on his opponent. If looks could burn someone alive, Connor would be set ablaze and screaming louder than the spectators.

Looking at Jace right now is like seeing an entirely different person. I've seen that look on his face before. Hell, he looked close to that the day he knocked out Derek in the school parking lot. Though this is a whole new level. He's turned from an angry boy to a bronze warrior. It'd be almost scary but looking at the muscles that ripple down his arms, chest, and abs sends a shiver of desire through my body.

Jace and Connor take their stances and seconds later the bell rings.

Jace doesn't hesitate, he charges for Connor like a bull seeing red. The cocky smile that was once on Connor's face disappears just before he's hit with a strong uppercut drawing a stream of blood to paint the ring floor. Before Connor can recover, he's hit again and sent flying to the ground.

Jace wastes no time and springs for another attack, climbing on top of his fallen foe. One after another, punches are thrown. The force of each one causing Connor's head to bounce off the ground. But amid the endless assault, Connor manages to spring a leg out and kick Jace off of him.

My heart quickens as I'm drawn closer to the spectacle. Seeing Jace beat someone up is one thing, but seeing him harmed... that thought actually scares the shit out of me. No matter how mad I am at him I'd never want to see him seriously hurt.

That kick was an unexpected move that no one saw coming, not even Jace, yet he doesn't take much time in getting back to his senses. He swings out to land a punch to Connor's face but in doing so, he also leaves his own unprotected. Connor connects a hard hit to Jace's face as well sending more blood to streak across the ground. But Jace takes the punch easily and kicks Connor in the ribs.

Connor stumbles back and Jace goes in again, this time landing an elbow to the face before a solid punch to the side of the head. And just like that, Connor hits the ground. Lights out. The crowd goes wild.

I go wild.

And in a flash, Jace stands upright and his eyes find me like a heat-seeking missile. It takes a second for him to register what he's seeing but then his eyes narrow and a curse slips from his lips. The announcer claims him the winner but he barely pays attention as he quickly climbs down from the ring and starts to push his way toward me, moving the cheering fans that congratulate him. Whatever had fueled him in the ring had yet to empty from his tank based on the fire burning in his eyes.

I backpedal next to Josie.

"Shit, he looks pissed," Jo states before grabbing my hand."We should go, like, right now!"

I nod and follow her lead, letting her pull me through the throng of bodies. The lone sound standing out from the rowdy spectators as I escape Jace's wrath is his voice calling my name before I disappear into the night, leaving me with the same question from earlier.

Who are you?

💋____________________________________💋

Wel,, sorry for the overly long chapter. I couldn't find a decent place to split the chapter and wanted to keep things moving along. Hopefully you all don't mind too much.

So, what do you lovelies think of this chapter? Do you think Lexi should give up on wanting answers or walk away? Do you think Jace's plan to wait till after he gets patched can work? Do you think he'll even get patched soon? What about missing the Vipers' deadline? Any worries for Cassie and her new crush? And what about that fight? Did Lexi do the right thing by running away afterwards?

Also, and this may not seem important now, but do you have any thoughts on Monte's son Kellen?

Let me know what you think in the comments and if you like what you read, please hit that star button!

The teaser for chapter 27 will be posted on my Instagram and Twitter in a day or two. Keep an eye out for it! 

BTW, I stumbled upon another song that I think really works for this chapter and since I can't decide between this one and the one at the top, I'm just gonna leave this here. 👇👇

https://youtu.be/oGOJYZwfOHk