Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(58)

Gabriella’s eyes went wide and she flung her arms in the air. “Oh, yeah. That’s smart. You’re a genius! Why don’t we let Ryley see you auctioned off in his fight? If he loses and you go to Camden, what do you think that’ll do to him? He’ll kill his brother for sure.”

“He isn’t going to lose.”

“It doesn’t matter, Ash. I can deal with Camden in my own way. You can’t. Besides, you have a little bit more to worry about than I do. You’re f*cking pregnant for crying out loud.”

“Oh f*ck,” Paxton growled. “You are?”

When I nodded, he ran his hands over his face. “Then there’s no choice. All I can say is, if Camden wins, he better turn you down. If not, then he’s going to deal with me. I’ll fight him myself.”

“You’d do that?” she asked.

“Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.” Moving his seat back, he got to his feet and opened his bag, pulling out a shirt. “I suggest you run to your rooms and change clothes. You’re not going to get in wearing those. Something short, tight, and sexy will do the trick.”

“Oh hell,” I grumbled. “I didn’t bring anything like that.”

Gabriella pulled me to my feet and winked. “Don’t worry, I did. Now let’s go, so we can get out of here. I’m just dying to be auctioned off.”

“Maybe you should hear the terms first,” I insisted. “It might be something you don’t want to do.”

She turned to Paxton, who approached her slowly with a devilish smirk on his face.

“That’s true, sunshine. It might be something you don’t want to do. But then again, maybe you’ll like it.”

Gabriella rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter, Paxton. Ryley and Ashleigh are my two closest friends. There’s not anything I wouldn’t do for them. So, in other words, don’t tell me. I’d rather go into this not knowing.”

Paxton looked down at me. “All right, you heard her. She doesn’t want to know. Just remind her of that when the time comes for her to pay up.”

Gabriella turned on her heel and marched to the door, opening it wide.

“I have a feeling she won’t forget,” I murmured. “We’ll see you in just a few.”

After we left, Gabriella remained quiet the whole way to our room. It was hard to decipher what was going through her head, but I had a guess. She would figure it all out eventually. All I knew was, I was indebted to her and Paxton.





“I can’t believe I’m wearing this much makeup,” I muttered, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

“Neither can I, but we have to play the part.”

Gabriella laid it on thick and put me in one of her dresses; thankfully, it wasn’t too tight around the stomach. It was red and strapless, falling mid-thigh. I had to admit, I didn’t look like myself. Gabriella didn’t either in her midnight blue halter dress.

My stomach was in knots, probably from the pregnancy and being scared shitless. I forced a couple of peanut butter crackers down my throat and guzzled some water, hoping it would help. Nothing was going to help my nerves.

“I don’t think I know of any female fighters that look and act like you. It’s strange to think that someone so dainty can kick ass.”

Gabriella smoothed on her deep red lipstick and pouted her lips. “It’s part of my charm, and my cover. Everyone underestimates me. I guess that’s why I’m undefeated.” She brushed out her hair and turned in front of the mirror. “All right, let’s go. We need to hurry. Paxton texted and said to meet him in the lobby.”

It didn’t take us long to get ready, but we knew we had to look the part. I had to make sure Scar didn’t recognize me. “Thank you for doing this, Gabby. Paxton is taking a huge risk taking us.”

Grabbing her purse, she opened the door and nodded. “Yes, and I’ll keep my promise and not say a word about it to anyone. I trust you to do the same.”

Once out the door, it slammed shut and we were on our way. “After tonight, I want to forget any of this ever happened. It’ll be like it doesn’t exist.”

“That’s not going to happen, Ash. Sadly, this is a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but you need to keep your feelings in check. If you see Ryley, don’t make a scene. He can’t fight his brother if he’s worried about you.”

We got into the elevators and descended the fourteen floors to the bottom. The Bellagio was one of the best hotels in Las Vegas and I loved staying at it. Just a few weeks ago, I’d been here taking a pregnancy test with Gabriella and Ryley by my side. It was strange to think how so many things had changed in a month.

“What if something happens to him?” I asked as the doors opened. “What if he needs help?”

She stopped in front of me and put her hands on my shoulders. “Then we’ll help him. I have no problem getting up there and facing Camden myself.”

As soon as she turned around, Paxton was up ahead holding what looked to be scarves in his hand. When his face lifted, he looked at us once and then did a complete double take.

“I guess he didn’t recognize us,” she murmured. “It is kind of hard with an inch of makeup on our faces, dressed like whores.”