What if

Part 29: Wrong playgrounds

Iris's POV

When we get to the arena, the familiar scent hits us right away—oil, burnt rubber, and smoke soaked deep into the walls. It's almost comforting, in a weird way. The kind of smell that lets you know where you are before you even open your eyes.

I glance at Ryan. "You think Ross is here?"

He doesn't miss a beat. "Obviously. This place is like his home."

I chuckle softly. "True."

But it's different in the daylight. The arena feels half-asleep. There aren't crowds shouting over each other or music blasting through busted speakers. No fights breaking out. No engines revving in the distance. Just silence. Heavy and stretched thin.

We walk through the corridor slowly, the sound of our footsteps echoing around us. It's weird seeing this place stripped of its chaos. Like the heart's still beating, but everything else is on pause.

After a couple minutes, we reach Ross's office.

Two huge guys are standing out front—same as always. Arms crossed, faces unreadable. The kind of guys you don't want to mess with unless you're trying to wake up in a hospital.

"Password?" one of them asks.

We don't say a word. I tug my shirt slightly off my shoulder to show the ink. Ryan lifts his sleeve. Our Serpent tattoos—small, discreet, but enough.

They nod and step aside.

Inside, Ross is sitting behind his desk. But he's not alone. Three guys are with him, dressed like they mean business—clean cuts, nice watches, the type that don't belong in this part of town unless they're here to make money or trouble.

Ross looks up at us like we've just stepped on something sacred.

"Did I accidentally call you here?" he says, frowning.

Ryan crosses his arms. "Nope."

Ross forces a smile. "Then why the fuck are you in my office?"

Ryan's jaw tightens. "We need to talk."

Ross raises an eyebrow. "Can't you see I'm in a meeting?"

I can see Ryan about to say something he'll regret, so I step in before he explodes.

"Hmm... how about we let you finish your meeting?" I offer, keeping my tone neutral. "We'll just wait for you right outside."

Ross leans back in his chair, smile still fake. "How nice of you."

I nod once, then glance at Ryan. "C'mon."

He rolls his eyes but follows me out without arguing.

As we walk away, he exhales sharply. "Ross pisses me off to a point."

I glance over. "Tell me about it."

He shakes his head. "Remind me why we even joined this bullshit in the first place?"

I give a short laugh. "Because we were stupid. And bored."

He doesn't laugh back.

Ryan sighs and pulls out his phone as we're walking past the row of cars parked around the arena. He types something quickly, then taps a name and holds the phone to his ear.

A few rings. No answer.

He mutters a curse under his breath and lowers the phone, jaw tight.

I glance at him. "So, who's putting you in a mood?"

He hesitates, then says flatly, "Zoe."

I stop mid-step. "Zoe? What's going on between you two?"

He just exhales. "We kissed."