might lead me to him, I turn to leave, pulling my cell from my pocket as I go.
I hit call on Jay's number, hoping that he'll be able to help me. He answers the call after only two rings, but I can barely hear him through the chaos in the background.
"Where the hell are you?" I shout down the phone.
"Fight night," he bellows back.
Something, excitement maybe, trickles through my veins.
"Where?"
He rattles off an address, and, before he's even finished, I'm back in my car and heading his way.
The thought of a Heights fight night has my fists clenching with my need to hurt someone. The image of Kennedy's swollen and bruised face pops into my head and my taste for blood only gets stronger.
As I pull up to the warehouse where tonight's fight is, I find it deserted. If I didn't know better I'd think Jay had given me the wrong address.
I park a little down the street before taking off on foot and head around the back of the building.
Just like I expected, I find a couple of guys standing guard at the door.
"Well, fuck me sideways. If it isn't Conner Jagger. To what do we owe this pleasure?” Jake announces as I approach.
I fist bump both of them before cutting short their attempt at small talk and inviting myself inside.
The roar of the crowd fills my ears and the scent of sweat, blood and victory fills my nose.
I glance around at the crowds of people before I find Jay and Levi over in the corner, talking to a few guys I don't know.
"Jagger, my man. How's it going?" Jay asks, clearly already a few drinks gone.
"You know where I might find Warren?" I ask, cutting straight to the point. "Tell me he's here," I demand, cracking my knuckles.
"Nah, man. Not seen him since New Year's Eve."
"You here to get in the ring?" Levi asks, cutting off any more questions I might have for Jay.
"Nah, I'm not here for that."
"You sure? There's a lot of money in here tonight."
"You've seen where I live now. I don't need to fight these motherfuckers for money."
It's a low blow, but it's true. There may have been times in the past where I didn't know any other way to get some extra cash that we desperately needed. But now, all I want is vengeance for my girl.
"Fair play."
"Where's Nate?" I ask, looking around for their captain.
"Didn't you hear?" Levi asks. "He got arrested on New Year's for possession. He's got a one-way ticket straight to juvie."
"What?"
"I know. Some fucker squealed on him. Hence the cops. He's fucking livid. I'd hate to be whoever was on the end of that phone call when he's back, because he'll cut off their balls and—"
"Okay, Levi. We all have imaginations," Jay says, turning me away from him.
"Why are you here, Conner? You don't belong here anymore."
I look around, and I can't help feeling like what he's saying is true.
"I need to find him, Jay. You fucking saw the state of her. He's not going to get away with that."
He blows out a breath. "How is she?"
"About as good as can be expected. I'm worried she's going to run back to him."
"You can't let her do that."
"I'm fucking trying, but she won't listen to me. She barely lets me in the fucking room."
"Just give her some time. What she went through… it must have been brutal."
My fists curl and my shoulders tense as I imagine that motherfucker’s hands on my girl.
"Levi's right. You need to get up there."
Jay nods over my shoulder to one of the rings.
"I haven’t fought anyone in—"
"Yo, Daz," Jay calls, totally ignoring my argument. "Jagger wants in."
"Uh... I'm not sure I—”
"Sure thing, man.” He nods. “It's good to see you, Jagger. It’s been too damn long. I've got a slot up next if you want it."
"Um..." I hesitate, looking back to a couple of guys dancing around each other in the middle of the crowd, blood trickling down their faces and bruises marring their torsos.
"Fuck it," I say, taking off after Daz when he turns to leave.
This could be the worst fucking idea ever.
Or it could be exactly what I need.
Chapter Five
Kennedy
After an uncomfortable breakfast with Hadley, Remi, and the Jaggers, I’d quickly retreated to my room and hid for the remainder of the day.
Conner didn’t try to see me again. In fact, I was pretty sure he’d gone out as soon as the sun sank into the horizon.
I haven’t heard him come home,