Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(38)

IT WAS SATURDAY night and we were at Staples Center, where I’d be competing in the last fight before the title match next weekend in Las Vegas. The announcer just called out my brother’s name and the crowd went wild. If I went out there to watch his fight, I know I’d find myself trying to jump up in there and kick his ass myself. My coach thought it would be best if I didn’t watch it.

“I can’t believe he did that to you,” Danny growled low, wrapping my hands. “Your father would have beat the shit out of him. The only thing I can think of is his jealousy over you. I’ve seen it for the past couple of years.”

“Jealousy or not, he still shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I agree, but at least everything else is going great. You haven’t told your family about the baby yet have you? I talked to your mother the other day and she didn’t mention it.”

I glanced over at Ashleigh who was sitting in the corner looking at baby magazines. I hadn’t noticed it before, but her Team Ryley tank top started to fit a little snug around her waist. It was barely noticeable, but I could see the change. I loved it.

“After Vegas I’m taking her to the mountains to meet my family. I’m going to ask if she wants to stay up there for a while during my down time.”

“I heard that,” she said, smiling down at the magazine. “I think it’s a great idea. Hopefully, your mom won’t hate me; especially, after I introduce myself as ‘hey, I’m your son’s girlfriend and you’re going to be a grandma.’”

Danny laughed. “It’s not going to be like that. She’ll be thrilled to see one of her son’s heading in the right direction.”

My mom used to give me hell at every family gathering because I would never have a girlfriend to bring. For the longest time she thought my brother and I were gay, but it was just we had too many women to even consider bringing one around.

About that time, Gabriella burst through the door, breathing hard and wearing her royal blue tank top with my name on it. She didn’t have a fight tonight so she decided to sit in the arena and watch everyone else’s, including my brother’s.

“Okay, so your brother just won by knocking Tate on his ass,” she informed us, holding a hand over her chest. Well, it was confirmed . . . I was going to be fighting him for the title. I knew it was going to be between me and him, but there was something Gabriella wasn’t saying. I could see it in her face.

“What’s going on, Gabby? Spill it.”

Ashleigh came to my side and wrapped her arm around my waist, keeping her focus on Gabriella. She had us all concerned.

“To be honest, I don’t know exactly,” she answered truthfully. “Have you seen your brother at all recently?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Well, he looks rough—like I’m talking lash marks and scars all over his body. It’s really weird . . . and when I watched J.T. fight, he had similar markings on him as well. I’ve seen this before, a long time ago. It’s not good, Ryley.”

No, it wasn’t and I had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

Ashleigh stared up at me, her brows furrowed in confusion. “What is she talking about?”

It’d been over a year since I’d heard of anything going on in the underground fighting scene. The last bust was in Vegas because there were MMA fighters showing up dead. Ever since then things had been quiet, until now. And if Gabriella’s assumptions were correct, it meant my brother was involved.

“Are you sure that’s what it looks like?”

She nodded. “I’m positive. I’ve been around it before and know what to look for. Even Matt confirmed it when he saw.”

“Fuck,” I hissed.

Danny passed me my gloves and nodded toward the door. “It’s time to go, son. If your brother is involved in that shit, there’s nothing you can do for him. You have to let it go and let him fall.”

Ashleigh squeezed my arm. “Ryley? Tell me.”

“Do it quick,” Danny advised. “We have to go.”

Sighing, I looked down at her. “For years there’s been illegal underground fighting. Sometimes it’s just normal fighting and sometimes it’s with weapons and so forth. Last year, there were a bunch of MMA fighters showing up dead. The ringleader got busted and everyone involved was thrown in jail. Now, it looks like someone else is starting it back up.”

“And you think you’re brother’s involved?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“If what Gabby says is true, then yes.” Danny opened the door and waved for us to move. “All right, angel, I have to go. Wish me luck.”

She kissed me on the lips and pushed me toward the door. “Good luck. Go kick some ass.”

She and Gabriella took off while I followed Danny. Now that Gabriella told me about Camden, I wanted to see it for myself. By the time we got to the back curtain, they had already called out Mark Bailey to the ring.

“All right, son, just focus on the fight and nothing else,” Danny commanded, pulling my hood over my head.

Through the curtains I could see the multi-colored lights charge into action and shower over the crowd. Then the announcer’s voice blared over the speakers, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce our next fight for the evening. The winner of this fight will continue on to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the chance to be the Middleweight title champion. Let’s give it up for Ryley . . . The Rampage . . . Jaaammmeeesssooonnn.”