Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(37)

“Okay, meet me at the bar in an hour. It’s time for Plan B.”

We hung up and I headed straight for the bar. My jaw throbbed from where Ryley punched me, but at least I got to kiss Ashleigh right in front of him. I had to accentuate the fact he wasn’t the only one who could touch her.

When I got to the bar, I walked straight on in and ordered two rum and cokes. I tossed one back and then the other, feeling the fire spread its way through my body. What other kind of plan could Camden come up with? It was obvious nothing was going to separate them.

By the time the hour was up, Camden waltzed in and took a seat beside of me, whistling when he saw my busted lip. “My brother?” he asked, looking at my mouth.

I huffed and rolled my eyes. “The one and only. Apparently, he didn’t like me kissing his girl.” But I wasn’t the only one who had been beaten. Camden’s eye was bruised and he had scabbed over cuts on his arms. “I’d say you didn’t have a good week either by the looks of you,” I added.

Camden slapped me on the back and chuckled. “That’s what you call real fighting, not just some busted lip. But don’t worry, Ashleigh will be yours soon. I just need to come up with another plan.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do,” I scoffed. “They’re determined to stay together—she’s even moving in with the asshat. However, I honestly don’t see him sticking around if we find out the baby’s mine.”

“Baby? What the f*ck are you talking about?” Camden stormed, getting in my face. “Please tell me you’re f*cking joking. Is it yours or his?”

I waved the bartender over and shook my glass, but before I could guzzle down my refilled drink, Camden angrily slid it to the side.

“You’re not drinking anything else until I get to the bottom of this. When did you find out she was pregnant? Does my brother know?”

“Goddamn, slow it down with all the questions,” I snapped. “I found out last week. She said she wasn’t going to tell Ryley until we got the tests done, but it looks like she told him while I was in New York. Ryley and I had a little argument over it tonight.”

“When does she go to the doctor?” he asked.

“She goes next Thursday. We’ll find out everything then.”

For a few minutes, Camden stared off into the distance until a devilish smile spread across his lips.

“I don’t see how any of this is funny,” I snarled.

“Do you think you’re the father of the baby? I mean, like deep down do you believe you are?” he asked seriously.

“Fuck if I know. The chances are slim.”

Camden rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I asked. What I want to know is, if this baby happens to be my brother’s, are you willing to claim it as yours if it meant getting your girl back?”

I stared over at him. What was he up to? “If it meant getting her back, I’d do just about anything.”

“Even botching the test results?” he asked.

“What? Like at the doctor’s office?” That shit only happened in movies and stupid ass soap operas.

Camden’s eyes lit up. “Yep.”

“How do you plan on doing that?” I inquired incredulously. It was ridiculous, but if he could do it . . .

“Let’s just say, I know the right people. All I need to know is where the appointment’s at and you’ll be all set. The baby will be yours and my brother’s life won’t be ruined.” He stared at me with wide, excited eyes until I finally broke down and gave him the information he needed. Guilt consumed me, but I would do just about anything to keep hold of Ashleigh. In the end, she would see I was better—that I would stick by her.

Camden slid my drink over and I tossed it back, feeling the anger boil through my veins. I wanted to go back to that restaurant and beat the shit out of Ryley for taking her away from me. Yes, I took her away from him first, but I deserve her. He doesn’t.

“Looks like you got some pent up aggression over there,” Camden teased. “Do you want to do something about it? I’m sure we can find you a guy who looks just like Ryley to fight.”

“What the f*ck are you talking about?”

Camden leaned in and lifted a brow mischievously. “I’m talking about a fight, twinkle toes. None of this pansy ass fighting you’re used to, but something real, where you can make people bleed. Are you interested? Although, I have to warn you this is real shit. Once you go there’s no going back. Because if you speak a word of it to anyone, they will hunt you down and put a bullet in your head.”

I glanced at his arms and then up to his face. “Is that where you got all of that?”

He winked. “You should see the other guy. So are you in or not? I think your girl likes the bad boys. Why don’t you show everybody what you’re made of? I’m sure there’s going to be lots of women wanting to f*ck you after tonight.”

“I don’t give a shit about f*cking other women,” I stormed. “The fighting sounds pretty interesting though. What do I have to do?”

Camden threw a couple hundred dollar bills on the bar and put his arm around my shoulders. “Come with me and find out. You’re switching to the dark side now. I hope you’re ready for this.”

I was more than ready.