“Darcy, it’s ok.” I got in between them. “I’ll be right back. Please, don’t do anything stupid. I need you safe.”

She hugged me. “Don’t go with him. He’s a dangerous man,” she said in my ear.

“I know,” I whispered. “Please just wait for me here, I promise I’ll be back. I need to go with him to make sure Callum is ok.”

“Jane…” she sounded like she was about to protest.

“I’ll be fine,” I said as they pulled me back, and Darcy growled at the guard who was manhandling me.

“You don’t have to be an asshole. I can walk.” I yanked my arm out of his grip and walked to Lucio, who was watching the exchange with irritation.

“Are you done causing a scene?” He snapped.

“I was just making sure my friend was going to be ok waiting for me. I wanted to ease her worry since you’re forcing me to come, instead of just fucking asking.” I kept eye contact with him, so he didn’t know I was afraid.

He gave me a deranged smile. “I love a woman with sass, Jane.” He grabbed my hand and dragged me behind him. I felt like I was falling deeper into the rabbit hole and Lucio was my guide, like a vicious Mad Hatter. It took everything in me not to shiver and show him weakness.

We walked down a series of hallways and arrived at an enormous room that looked like an MMA fighting ring. The arena looked packed, and a fight was already taking place. I quickly looked for Callum in the cage as Lucio continued to hold my hand as we made our way to our seats.

“Don’t worry, he’s up next,” Lucio said as he sat me down forcefully and said hello to someone behind us.

I looked at the fight happening in front of me, both fighters dancing around the ring, while taking jabs at each other. One of them had a split in his eyebrow and a busted lip. The other looked completely unscathed. I balled my fists in anger that Callum was fighting tonight. I was beyond worried to even see how he was healing and if it was enough for him to fight. I guess that didn’t matter, since Lucio called the shots and Callum had no choice but to obey.

“Ah, Evan,” Lucio said, grabbing my attention.

“Lucio.” He walked up to us looking relaxed and not even looking at me.

“I need you to watch Mrs. Ramos for me, while I go check on an investor.” He gave me a stern look. “No funny business, or I’ll make sure Callum won’t be able to walk out of here.”

I stilled at the threat. “I’ll stay right here.”

He stared at me for a moment before leaving, satisfied with what he saw on my face.