Page 3 of Savage Salvation

“Come on. You’ll be doing me a solid. Working off that unnecessary guilt about repaying me for the repairs to your car—and did I mention it’s a paid gig?”

No. He hadn’t mentioned that, and it definitely makes it more appealing. “Fine. But y’all are going to have to find someone else eventually. Between work and school, I have enough going on.”

“Whatever. You’ll make time because you love playing with us as much as we love having you. And Johnny said we can practice at the store anytime. It’s a win-win.”

“Yeah. Sure.” I don’t feel like anything is a win. But I do love playing, though I hate to admit it. It’s the only time I’m happy and not worried about all the other shit in my life. “If the practices fit around my work schedule, I’ll consider it. But I’m not promising anything.” Because I’m hoping to not be around here longer than I have to be. And joining a band definitely wasn’t on my agenda.

Isaac’s fist pump and hoot tells me that it was on his agenda. Only, he forgets … I’ll let him down eventually. It’s inevitable. Because of all the things Ryan is correct about, it’s the fact that I’m a royal fuckup who will manage to ruin everyone’s plans. Because as much as I want to care, I can’t. Not when the only person I ever truly cared about is dead.

2

Gage

Pulling into the parking lot of Sacred Creed, I spot Ryan leaning against his Jeep as I park in the next row across from him. He wastes no time making his way over, stepping beside my truck as I open the door and bail out.

“Everything is a go. The fight is back on.” He anxiously taps away on his phone.

“I’ll be there.”

His attention instantly leaves his phone, centering on me. “You’d better be. We have a lot riding on this one.”

“Yep. Nothing new.” I have more riding on it since I’m the one who’s actually fighting, unlike Ryan who just handles arranging the matches. My last opponent and the pansy-ass up next seemed like he was planning to do the same. “What’d you sweeten the deal with?”

“A guaranteed quarter of the take, win or lose.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” It’s not like I’m in it for the money, but the winner of the match is supposed to walk away with the title and the money. The loser should just walk away to lick his own bloody wounds. I’ve yet to know how that walk feels because I don’t lose. Not at fighting, not at anything. Because when I want something, I get it.

“Dude, he won’t know whether his take is a hundred or a grand. I’ll give him enough to appease him, but it won’t cut into your share. No worries. You just have your ass at the Den ready to battle.”

“Yeah.”

Ryan leans against the tailgate of my truck, taking a long assessing look at me. “Are you sure you got this one? Pete fights dirty.”

“I fight dirtier.” Fighting dirty isn’t against the rules. They’re straightforward and clear-cut: No weapons. Last one standing wins. Simple as that.

“There’s the stupid bitch,” Ryan says as I look to where he’s staring across the lot.

Kinsley. She steps out of Isaac’s car, and the bastard wastes no time hurrying to her side to drape an arm over her shoulder. That fucker needs to stay in line before I remind him where his place is. Because of all the things I want, she’s the only I’ve never allowed myself to have—but that doesn’t mean he can have her. And nothing will stop me from tormenting any shithead who thinks they have a chance with her. Ryan says Isaac has been friend-zoned just like every other chump who’s tried to get her. But I already knew that.

When Isaac leans over, planting a kiss on Kinsley’s cheek, I’m already a step behind Ryan, blocking her path to the school entrance.

“Get the fuck outta the way.” Isaac motions to the side, his arm still on her, sending something I don’t feel often throughout my body. Envy.

Ryan steps to the side as Isaac drops his arm from Kinsley’s shoulders, grabs her hand, and goes to pull her away from me. Big mistake. But Ryan makes one, too, when he reaches out to grip Kinsley’s elbow. “This is between me and my charity cunt sis.”

“Don’t touch me.” Kinsley shoves Ryan, and Isaac instantly surges forward, pushing him away. Ryan’s hold on Kinsley releases, saving me the trouble of removing it for him. Neither one of these pricks should have a hand on her—on what’s mine whether I’ve staked my claim or not. She’s off-limits. And in time, these fuckers will know it.

Pivoting to the side, Ryan leans to get a view of Kinsley as he shouts, “It’s time for a little payback for that shit you pulled this morning.”

A smile crosses her face as she shifts in Ryan’s direction. “All you had to do was leave me the fuck alone and Mommy wouldn’t have heard a word about you skipping school. So fuck off, or I’ll inform her of all of your activities—none of which she’ll approve of.” For the first time, Kinsley’s eyes meet mine. I have a feeling she’s referring to the match tomorrow night. The Lion’s Den isn’t a secret at Sacred Creed, but Ryan’s parents wouldn’t be okay with it for damn sure. Which Ryan knows, and it sends him rushing towards Kinsley. “You’d better keep your fuckin’ mouth shut, or I’ll shut it for you.”

She only laughs in response to Ryan’s threat, spinning him into a furious frenzy. Isaac’s shouts match Ryan’s as the two dumb fucks go at it. Ryan swings, missing Isaac, before both dipshits tumble to the ground, wrestling and rolling around.

I see when Kinsley gets the notion that she can do something about it, so it’s my moment to step in. An excuse to finally touch her without revealing how much I want to. As she hovers near the fools on the ground, I step behind her, looping an arm around her waist, and haul her back, holding her body securely against mine. “Let’s just watch. I never get to enjoy the action since I’m always at the center of it.”

“Let me go, you stupid fuckin’ asshole,” she yells, struggling against me. Though she makes a strong effort, she doesn’t make any headway. She’ll get away when I let her. And I’ve kept my distance, allowed her freedom from my claim. But I’ve had about enough of resisting her, especially after seeing Isaac’s grimy hands on her.

Leaning forward, my mouth is next to her ear as I laugh. “Keep doing that, because all it’s doing is making my dick harder.”