Blame it on the shame Part 2

Chapter 7 (Ricardo)

Over another week has passed and still no sign of Alyssa. I was ready to put it out of my mind completely.

Until today.

Today...Jackson lost his damn mind.

After training, he ran into Luke and went off on him. And by went off? I mean he pretty much beat the crap out of him.

Because of Alyssa.

Of course, Luke threatened to tell DeLuca.

Over three weeks have passed since he last saw her, he shouldn't be so strung out over the girl. Obviously, they have more of a co

I had no choice but to pull him in the locker room and rip into him.

I told him to stay the hell away from Alyssa, all while pretending I didn't know her.

I also told him that what he did to Luke was a stupid move and reminded him it wasn't a good idea to be on DeLuca's radar.

I can only hope he heeds my warning.

After training, I cut through the gym and walk into the fight club.

I head for the ring girl dressing room where I know Lou-Lou's reading while waiting for me to be finished so we can go out for my birthday.

For the past week or so, she's been going to the library every single day. I didn't think much of it...until she started spending the entire day there.

I reminded her that libraries allow people to take books home, but she said she didn't want there to be any record of her being there.

Which was just downright strange. I'm positive DeLuca wouldn't give a flying fuck about her going to the library.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her she was becoming a little too paranoid about DeLuca, but then I realized that I'm the one to blame for that.

Because I still haven't come up with a plan yet.

So, I decided to get her an e-reader. This way, she can relax and read whenever she wants and not have to worry about a thing.

She wouldn't take it at first because she was scared of DeLuca tracking it, but I told her it was fine considering he didn't even know about it in the first place. She finally relented and took it.

I smile as I picture my little bookworm crinkling her nose while reading a book.

Then I enter the dressing room and my smile quickly fades and I feel myself turn into a cold-blooded killer.

Luke's violently shoving her up against a wall, trying to take off her pants.

I don't even think, I just start launching my fists, relishing when blood starts pouring down his face.

When he's balled up on the floor I start kicking the ever living shit out of him.

Lou-Lou's screams and pleads are barely even registering—it isn't until Tyrone pulls a move that I do when Jackson blacks out during a fight and drags Luke's body away that I come to.

Tyrone holds his hands up and protectively stands in front of Lou-Lou who's a trembling, shaking, mess right now.

A strangled sound rips from Luke's throat but to everyone's surprise the fucker hobbles back up and gives Lou-Lou a menacing look.

I lunge for him again, but Tyrone gets in between us and the shit-head uses the opportunity to escape. "What the hell, man?" Tyrone shouts. "You just ripped into Jackson for beating him up earlier and now you're doing the same thing." I open my mouth but close it when he puts a hand on my shoulder and sighs.

"I'm only looking out for you, Ricardo. The same way you were looking out for Jackson. You know Luke is high up in DeLuca's ranks, much higher than you are. Don't be stupid," he says before he leaves.

Guilt snags me, but I can't focus on that because I'm worried about Lou-Lou.

I turn to face her. "Are you okay?"

She nods and takes a step forward. "I've never seen you fight anyone before." She gulps. "It was like you were a different person completely. That was some really scary shit."

I snort. "Yeah well, It's scary when assholes touch what I love and what's mine. Did he hurt you?"

"No." Her brows furrow and her expression turns horrified. "There are no cameras in here, Ricardo. It's your word against his. You know he's going to tell DeLuca you beat him up over me. And you know how close he is to DeLuca."

I open my mouth to respond but when I look down my blood runs cold. I reach for her wrist because I notice that bruises are starting to form.

That's when my blood begins boiling.

He's a dead man. I don't give a fuck about the consequences.

She starts dry heaving and it only makes me firmer in my resolve.

I pull her into my arms. "Let him."