Free Caged by Madison Collins Page B

my skill and training gets put to the ultimate test. That rush of adrenaline I crave is what makes me train so hard every day. 
    “I’ll go with you.” I need to learn to think before I talk. I just want to get that sad look off her face. If I go with her, I can hold her hand to comfort her while she sees her brother. The thought is so cheesy I want to punch myself in the face. Tripp will make fun of me for going soft if he finds out I’m thinking about hand holding instead of tapping that ass.
    “Okay,” Lily says. “I’ve got to grab some stuff first. Be back in a sec.” She walks away, fantastic ass swaying. Plump and round, and just begging to be swatted.
    “Dude.” Tripp whacks me in the back of the head.
    I rub my head and glare. “Nothing’s going on. We’re going to the hospital together.”
    “Uh-huh.” He raises an eyebrow. I’ve heard women call Tripp sweet before, but I think it’s only because they’ve never faced him in the ring.
    “Alright, alright. I’m making a move. I want her.” I’m still worried that Tripp might think I’m ready to doodle bluebirds and hearts, so I lift my chin to look more macho. “I want to fuck her. She’s hot. I’ve wanted it for too long now. Who cares if her dad whoops my ass for it? I can take the old man, and it’ll be worth it.”
    “Right. That’s all this is about.” He rolls his eyes at me.
    I glare. I know how to make him buy it. We’ve shared women from time to time, and if I let him in on this, he’ll believe I’m not interested in more than a good night of fucking. “You in?” I smirk, a wicked gleam in my eyes.
    “Hell yeah, I’m in.” Tripp grins.
    My heart lurches, but I won’t let anyone find out that I want Lily all to myself. I can share her for one night to prove to everyone that Cage Garrett won’t give in to wussy things like feelings.
    The sterile hospital waiting room makes me uncomfortable. I’m used to action, and chaos. This place is too quiet. It’s like everyone here is holding their breath as they wait for bad news. I hate the thought of Lily being here alone.
    Lily keeps wiping off her cheeks, but I can tell from the puffiness of her eyes that she’s been crying. She hates seeing her brother this way. He was one of the best fighters around before he was taken down by a single punch. I know that could be me someday, but I’ve never seen much point to thinking ahead. I prefer living in the moment, responding to each problem as it punches me in the face. I’m tough. I can take a few hits before I strike back.
    Tripp sits on the other side of Lily. He wraps an arm around her shoulder. “Hey. Let’s clear our minds of all this for a little while.”
    Lilly sniffles and nods.
    Red hot fury clouds my vision. He knows I want her, and he’s the one holding her and asking her out? I jump to my feet and storm down the hallway. Tripp catches up to me and grabs my arm.
    “The fuck was that?” I ask him. “What the fuck are you doing asking her out?”
    “It’s called being considerate.” Tripp crosses his arm. “You should try it some time. Let her cry on your shoulder for a little while. Might get you farther than this pushing her away shit.”
    I grit my teeth. “You know I’m interested in her. Back off.”
    “Yeah, well, maybe I’m interested in her, too.”
    I seriously consider punching my brother in the face in the middle of a hospital. “What game are you playing?”
    “Not everything is a game, Cage. I’ve asked her out for drinks and she’s said yes, so we’re all going out for drinks. Is that okay with you?”
    I can tell he’s being more sarcastic than considerate, which proves my point that Tripp’s chivalry doesn’t extend beyond members of the opposite sex.
    “Fine,” I say. “We’ll go out for drinks.”

Chapter 3
    Lily
     
    I’m not sure how my evening went from a living nightmare, to two of the hottest men I know taking me out for drinks, but I’m not about to complain. I need