Page 27 of Glacier

Glacier gripped my hand and turned towards the building. We stepped into a dim hallway, where music pulsed through the walls, mingling with loud laughter and distant shouts.

When we emerged into the main room, it was packed. People hollered greetings as we passed, parting for Glacier to lead me through the crowd towards the front. A fighting cage dominated the space, and a barrier was set up a couple of metres out. Club members were stationed along it, no doubt to hold spectators back and to keep an eye out for trouble.

One of the Prospects pulled a section aside for us. We slipped through, and Glacier guided me to the wall about two metres from the cage. He leaned back against it, drawing me in front of him.

Jen, Janis, and Tru followed behind, with Lawless bringing up the rear. The noise was electric. Anticipation hummed in the air.

A Prospect appeared with cold beers, handing one to each of us before he disappeared again. I really needed to pay attention to their names.

It was hot, so I unzipped my jacket but didn’t remove it, mindful of Glacier’s earlier words and not wanting to add to his stress.

“Thank you, darlin’,” he whispered in my ear, kissing my temple. “Fights are about to start. Beginners first, then we move up to the big draws like Carnage and North.”

Curious, I asked, “Who’s the biggest draw tonight?”

“Me.”

His answer was short and to the point. It made me wonder, but I didn’t have time to dwell because the fights were beginning.

The first two were barely noticeable; they were over so quickly. But by the third fight, things started to get interesting. The harder the fights, the more money changed hands. And there was a lot of money.

It was exciting. There was something primal about watching men beat the shit out of each other.

Carnage and North were clearly two big draws, and when they fought, I could see why. Carnage liked to play with his opponent, while North went in like a battering ram, not letting up until his opponent was on the ground. That man had a lot of pent-up anger.

Jen hid her face for most of their fights, but I was amused by the running commentary from Janis and Tru. Glacier chuckled a couple of times, so I knew he was too. Lawless laughed out loud at them.

“We need women’s fights,” Tru said, turning to Glacier.

“No.” He shook his head.

“But—”

“No,” he repeated. “Have Maverick set them up if he’s open to it.”

Janis and Tru exchanged looks, and I bit back a chuckle. I was pretty sure there would be women’s underground fights before long.

Lawless moved next to Glacier. “Should have taken that suggestion, Pres. Those two are hell on wheels, and I bet they’d be a huge draw.”

Glacier sighed. “Fuck, no. Too much drama for me. Let Maverick bankroll it. He’s got the money.”

“True enough,” Lawless agreed.

Lurch approached with a clipboard. “You’re up next, Pres.”

Glacier threaded his fingers through my hair and tugged it gently, tipping my face up to his and kissing me long and hard.

“Can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” he muttered, taking off his cut and handing it to me.

I folded it over my arm, eating him with my eyes as he stripped out of his shirt.

“Looking forward to kissing your booboos, lover.” I winked at him as I took his shirt.

Those surrounding us laughed at my comment.

Glacier smirked as he handed me his glasses, tugging at a strand of my hair. “Trouble, that’s what you are.”

All playfulness disappeared as he turned to Lurch, and I witnessed the President rather than the man I’d become accustomed to. “Let’s do this.”