Trick Me Twice - Becca Steele Page 0,37

know something like this existed.”

“It’s an open secret. I think most people know about it, but we don’t really talk about it. Don’t want to attract the interest of the wrong people, if you know what I mean.”

“That makes sense.” Coming to a stop in front of the large bowl, I turned to her. “So, what are we doing, anyway?”

She smiled, tugging me to sit on the rim of the bowl, our legs dangling over the side. “We wait for everyone else to show, then you’re going to see some of the fights in action.”

Kicking at the side of the bowl with the heel of my trainers, I eyed her suspiciously. “And how exactly is this supposed to make me more confident?”

“You’re way out of your comfort zone, right?”

“Yep.” Leaning back on my elbows, I stared around me. “I feel like that’s happening more and more lately. Ever since I met you.”

She laughed, pleased. “That’s the first, and most important reason. I’m pushing you to do things because I know you have it in you, Raine. You have that confidence deep down inside you. And the more you do things that make you uncomfortable, the more confident you’ll feel.” She paused. “At least, that’s the theory.”

“Okay…” I glanced at her. “So pushing me out of my comfort zone was the first reason. What’s the second?”

“Have you ever seen a real fight in action? Some of these guys are hot. And watching them fight? Yeah, I think you’re gonna love it. And you might even pick up some tips.”

“Tips on finding a hot guy?”

“No. Fighting back.”

“Oh.” We fell silent as the area began to fill, crowds milling around and people sitting all around the edge of the bowl like we were. Suppressing my discomfort, I decided to question Lena in an effort to take my mind off the increasing numbers of people surrounding us.

“Do they do this for money?” I tried to think back over the little I knew about fights—which was pretty much zero.

“No. Mostly for bragging rights, or to settle a grudge, or just because they’re psychos who like to fight.”

I laughed. “Psychos, hey? So which of the fighters do you have your eye on?”

Her expression became distant. “None of them.” I sensed there was more to it, but I didn’t push. I was quickly learning that while she was friendly and open in certain areas, there were parts of her she kept locked up so tightly, that I knew I’d never be able to penetrate them. Not unless she chose to share those parts with me. “Hey, look. The first fight is about to start.”

I watched as two guys in sweatpants and dark T-shirts slid down the sides of the bowl and met at the bottom, then stood waiting. After a moment, a guy with a whistle appeared at the top, and the crowd fell silent as he introduced them.

“Fight one! Joshua versus Ricky! First to tap out loses!” The two guys shook their wrapped hands, then the whistle guy blew his whistle, and they began to circle each other.

Lena kept up a running commentary the entire time. “The guy with the whistle is Mack—he organises most of the events. Joshua is really powerful, but he’s quite slow. Ricky, he’s small but deadly.”

I flinched as Joshua swung at Ricky with a brutal jab to the ribs. “Ouch. That looked painful.”

“That was nothing. Keep watching.” The anticipation in her voice was clear.

Nothing? The next second, I saw what she meant. Ricky lunged forwards, lightning fast, striking at Joshua with a series of jabs that had him staggering backwards. He followed it up by sweeping Joshua’s legs out from underneath him, sending him crashing to the floor. Lena let out a cheer, and then her attention went to a guy standing across from us, watching the fight intently. She stiffened, ducking behind me.

I followed her gaze, frowning as I tried to make out his features from under his hood. His face was shadowed, but his sleeves were rolled up, revealing tattoos that snaked up both arms.

“Who’s that, and why are you hiding?” I turned to her.

“Shh. Keep your voice down.” Her own voice was low. “That’s Zayde Lowry. Remember him from school? He was in my brother’s year. One of his best mates, in fact.”

I stared at Zayde with new interest. As he turned his head slightly and the floodlights hit his face, I could see the dark, almost feral look in his icy eyes. “Ah. I remember now. There’s