I answer on the third ring, and Quinn immediately starts in on me. “What’s up with not calling, Hookerbot? How am I supposed to know you’re safe if you don’t check in?”

I furrow my brow. “Hooker-what?”

“It’s my new slang word, but don’t go and try to distract me from being pissed at you. Call me every day—ring a bell?”

I sigh. “I’m sorry. Things were busy last night.”

“Uh-huh. I bet they were. You slept with Mr. Sexy, didn’t you?”

A blush creeps over my face, and I can even feel my ears burn from all the blood rushing to my face. I could deny it and keep it private, but I don’t want to. I want her to know. “Yes.”

She shrieks. “Anna Cortez! You little slut.”

“Quinn!” I scold. “It’s not like that.”

“Oh, I know it’s not. You two are way past random fucking now. You’re moving into the ‘when’s the wedding’ phase.”

I shake my head and roll my eyes. “Trust me, we aren’t anywhere near that.”

“But you screwed his brains out anyway? I’m so proud.” I hear her mock sniff on the other end of the line. “So, how does it feel to be out in the big world all on your own?”

I grin. “It’s so freeing. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

“Do you miss home at all?”

I sigh. “No. There’s nothing in Portland for me anymore.”

“I’m so happy for you, cuz. But I think you need to call Uncle Simon. He’s been hounding Mom to death about you.”

“I texted him this morning.”

“Did you tell him where you are?”

“Not exactly, but I did tell him what city we were in, and that I was working for a wrestler. That’s it. Why?”

She’s quiet for a moment, and my pulse picks up speed as I wonder what’s going on.

Finally she answers, “Uncle Simon has been threatening to come get you and take you back home. He’s convinced that you’re screwing up your life, and he needs to intervene.”

I sit up a little straighter in my seat. “Do you think he’ll come here?”

“I don’t know…maybe? You know how he is.”

I swallow hard and glance down at my forearm, remembering the last time I saw Father, and the bruises he left there when he was trying to force me to stay in Portland.

I don’t want to see him. Not here. I’m not ready.

Liv approaches the table. “Quinn, I’ve got to go. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll call you soon.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

She joins me back at the table holding Kami. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Your mom?”

“Cousin,” I correct as I stuff my phone back in my pocket. “She’s like my sister though.”

She nods and checks the time on her cell phone. “Are you going to watch the match tonight? Brian really enjoys the nights he and X get to go at it.”

“Yes. I’d love to. I’ve never seen Xavier perform yet.”

“Oh, in that case, we have to go out into the arena tonight. There are seats reserved for family near the entry ramp. You’ll be able to get the ‘extreme fan’ experience there.”

“Sounds great,” I say enthusiastically, genuinely excited to watch Xavier do something I know he loves so much.

Liv stands, picks up Kami and gathers her bags. “I’ll find you just before they go on, and we’ll go out on the floor together. They should be the last event. I’ve got to go back to the hotel for a bit and put her down for a nap otherwise she’ll never make it tonight.”

“Okay, see you then.” I wave to her as they leave, and I catch myself smiling.

Liv is the type of person I can imagine being friends with. She took me under her wing—no questions asked. There’s not much kindness like that in the world nowadays.

Sitting alone at the table, I fiddle with my phone. None of the other women in the room approach me, although every now and then I catch one of them staring openly at me, judging me with their eyes, only to quickly turn away once they realize I’ve seen them.

It’s nearly an hour before Xavier returns. He’s dressed in camouflaged cargo pants and a plain black tank top that puts his defined body on display. I swear some of the other women in the room sigh as he approaches me, and I resist sticking my tongue out at them to rub in the fact that he’s mine.

He pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. “Sorry I was gone so long. We always have a meeting with the writers ahead of time to find out what we need to do for the show.”

“Because it’s all scripted, right?”

He nods. “Yeah, but we get to improvise a little too. Brian and I are the best at that.”

I lean my elbow on the table and rest my chin in my hand. “So you already know who’s winning the match between you?”

“Yeah.”

I bat my eyes. “Care to share?”

He smirks. “Really? Like there’s even a chance it wouldn’t be me.”

“My, my. Cocky, aren’t we?”

“It’s not cocky when you’re that damn good.” He winks at me.

I roll my eyes and laugh. “So, what do we do now?”

“The show starts in an hour. I’m going to go do some cardio to get ready, and you’re going to watch.”

“You want me to sit there while you work out?”

He nods. “You don’t want to?”

My eyes trail down his cut biceps and chest, and I allow my mind to wander back to last night when he was doing push-ups. Even though he was in a bad place mentally, while he was doing it, he still looked damn fine.

I could watch that man work up a sweat any day.

“Of course I do.” I smile. “I love watching you.”

He grins and leans in and kisses my lips. “The feeling’s mutual.”

A shiver flutters through my entire body, and if we weren’t in a room full of children, I might be tempted to jump his bones. I’m so ready to go another round with him in bed.

He chuckles. “Come on, beautiful. We’ve got a busy night ahead.”

A little while later I find myself sitting on a metal folding chair in my shorts and t-shirt observing a room full of beefy men working out before it’s time for them to go on. While sitting here I’ve learned the guys who are just getting their foot in the door, so to speak, go on first—as opening acts, if you will—while the more popular superstars go on later in the show.

To each man, their match is serious. It’s scripted and all that, but watching exactly how much physical pain some of them are in when they return backstage alerts me to the fact that the physicality of their job is very real. Someone can really get hurt if control isn’t maintained at all times.

Most of the men are focused on their on pre-game routine. All but one, that is.

Rex “Assassin” Risen has been intently staring at me every time Xavier’s back is turned. Like right now.

Xavier stands in front of me alternating lifts with fifty-pound dumbbells, while Assassin leans against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, watching us with a mixed expression of curiosity and amusement.

It’s almost as if he’s planning something devious, and I don’t like that thought one bit.

I debate whether or not to alert Xavier to the situation, but decide against it so he can remain focused on his match. If his head isn’t on right, he could get hurt out there. I can’t have him out there worried about this guy, who is obviously a jerk. After the match is over—when I know he’ll be able to handle it without getting himself hurt—I’ll tell him.

The short man, wearing a baseball cap and headphones with a mic attached, who has been alerting the men when their match is up pops into the room. “Assassin, you’re on deck, man.”

Assassin pushes himself off the wall and strides past us. Xavier’s body stiffens, as if it takes all of his self-control to allow him to pass without saying a word to him. I know exactly how he feels. It’s the same feeling I get when Deena is around.

The area goes nuts when Assassin’s entrance music plays, and his name is announced. The cheers from the crowd are unmistakable, and I wonder if they would love him as much if they knew that he was a grade-A asshole?

Xavier sets his weights down and begins to stretch. “I’m up next. You can watch from the monitors by the wrestler’s entrance into the arena, if you want.”

I stand. “Actually, I’ve got other plans.”

He tilts his head. “You’re not going to watch me?”

“I am, but Liv is going to take me out on the floor so I get the ‘extreme fan’ experience.”

He laughs and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. “I also plan on giving you a phenomenal experience again, tonight.”

I giggle as he kisses my lips.

“All right, that’s enough, lovebirds,” Brian says as he approaches us with one arm around Liv, holding Kami in the other.

My eyes instantly widen as I take in the shiny, gold belt around Brian’s waist. “You’re the champ?”

Kami pats his chest. “Daddy champ!”

Brian smiles at us. “She really isn’t a fan, is she, X?”

Xavier laughs. “Told you.”

I shrug, feeling embarrassed that I didn’t know.

Liv takes Kami from Brian’s arms and then gives him a quick kiss. “Have a good match, babe.” She turns to me. “Let’s hurry and get our seats.”

Xavier pats my butt after I pull away. “I expect extra loud cheering from your section when I come out.”

I laugh. “You got it.”

Liv leads me down the hall and waves at the security guards, addressing them by name. She turns to me and hands me a laminated pass. “Here, keep this on. You’ll need it until the guys get to know you. The show’s on a commercial break, so outside the door will be packed. Stick with me so I can get us to our seats.”

I nod and do as she instructed while following her through a door leading out into the public concession area. People mill about in every direction, and their chatter is deafening. We head through a tunnel into the arena, and I’m awed by the bright lights and sold-out crowd.