Guilty pleasures

e

ding concrete and grunts of effort echoing off the brick interior. Everywhere I looked, I saw a sea

d sacrificed, that I found my younger brother standing next to the ri

the rise, and I was in awe at what

t have be

idn’t need t

aiting to happen.” It wasn’t my place to give advice to Emmett. I wasn’t a fi

than he was a year ago, by a lot, plus he’s younger and faster than his opponent. The win is practically

t didn’t. The outcome of the fight had already been decided. The on

protect his noggin. You should probably tell him t

en though it was clear that he didn’t want it. It was

ether until high school, when both of our moms had decided

from Dad

a night-night punch. “No. I’ve been too busy working and dealing with my o

had been honorably discharged from the Ar

words, clearly annoyed, which I could de

’s no harm in ne

nal. He put all his energy into fighting inside the ring and then turned to coaching because he refused t

’m fine,

rwise.” He glared at me, and I raised my arm

was the only trait we shared. Both of us inherited it from our old man, but I

temperament, but with matching shitty childhoo

shoulders leaving no doubt that he could and would kick ass if he n

d, I didn’t have the time to worry about him, too. Savannah Rhymer was in th

ghters, and in walked Kat Ashby. She acted as though she was completely unaware of th

oblivious to the stares her fitted black dress caused or the di

walk toward the practice ring where Emmett and Rob spoke in hushed tones, I could admi

ntered as if oblivious to them at the same time. It was quite a talent, one only someone like the Ashby Princ

ve feet from me, her eyes still focused on her

you want a piece all

shoulders, her bare shoulders, sent a thunderbolt of want rig

ev

red heels to a screeching halt. She looked up slowly unt

e coffee with Emme

med a mix of annoyed and enthused. I could never tell if she

a tone that sent a chill up my sp

hing if not nice to everyone. Sure, she gave me shit but it was all

p a lot easier when that Rhyme

l-mouthed little girl she’d pretended to be when we were younger, and s

e in reply before Emmett joined

g?” he said with a smil

the snark and sarcasm—or the bickering. Or maybe I didn’t? Getting Kat rile

brings me to why I’m here,” she said with a sheep

ning me a sapphire-colored glare that widened

ple of Glitz and Vegas love you and your story,” she said with a smile. “A vet and a fighter turned coach, you’re practically a u

give you a few objections first?” His lips twitched in amusement, and I was glad

ike a Stepford, only hotter. Way fucking hotter. She smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles from her