Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Why the fuck couldn’t you tell me that in the first place?” I snarl.
“It was the cops … they’re the ones who jumped him. They’re blackmailing me. They want names, but I just needed time to figure out what to do.
“I need … I need to get him out of this, but I’m not going against you guys. Your father … he was good to my father and Brooklyn and Logan have always been good to me. This is my mess … I need to fix it.”
I nod to Aidan for him to verify this. He returns the nod as he takes his phone out and gets on it. I saunter over to the couch and have a seat. Pulling my phone to check it, I see the time and scowl. I’ve wasted my day here.
I’m closer to my parents’ house, but it would still be a while before I get back to the gym. I think of my talk with Ciara earlier and I remember something I want to give her. I’m not going to make it back anytime soon, so I decide to text Taegan.
“He’s not lying,” Aidan says as he returns. “Strong and Vargus are pressing him. The kid stabbed Detective Baker while they jumped him. They’re threatening him with attempted murder. He’s holding it down, hasn’t said anything, but they’re using him to squeeze Hanson.”
“Shut that shit down. Bring the kid to me when he’s released. Get this motherfucker to a medic,” I command.
“Dylan, what are you going to do to him?”
“I’m just going to talk to him. You worry about healing up. Next time some shit like this happens, you come to us first.
“Don’t make us come to you. If this happens again, I’m cutting out your tongue first and taking two fingers. Am I clear?”
“Yes, yes. This won’t happen again, I promise. Please don’t hurt my brother,” he sobs.
“You were willing to die for him. I’m just going to make sure he was worth it.”
I get up and walk out. My work is finished here. Da and Brooklyn will want to know this.
Clearly, someone on payroll isn’t paying attention. Maybe it’s time their pay was docked. Not my call.
It’s time I go back to my corner. I wonder what my girl will think of my place. I can’t wait to see her again.
Ciara
I walk over to the bleachers and take a seat, then lift my bottle of water to my lips. I’ve been working out and sparring with Halley, the fighter who used to be on Dylan’s team a few years ago.
I like her. She has a good vibe like Taegan. She’s also a good fighter. Smart about the ring. Her MMA IQ is impressive.
“Dylan is right about you. You’d make a great replacement for me. If you want to join the team, I’d be happy to come back on as your trainer,” Halley says.
“Do you mind me asking why you left?”
“Got pregnant, had a kid, then got married. My munchkin just turned three and his father travels a lot for work. I miss this place, but I’m getting old and I’m not the fighter I once was.
“I know I’m not in competition shape. Dylan is extremely competitive. He hates to lose. He’s not going into the next tournament without fighters who can win. Besides, my husband and I have been talking about baby number two.” She shrugs.
“Why did he ask you here to meet me?”
“Dylan wanted me to see you in action because he knows I want to be involved in the gym again somehow, but I’m not training that bitch he already has. That’s a waste of my fucking time,” she adds and rolls her eyes.
I chew on my lip, wanting to ask what the deal is with that. I overheard someone else mention not liking one of the female fighters who trains here. They only have two. One is injured and the other is this woman no one seems to like.
I don’t know that I’ve met her. Taegan ordered lunch and we stayed up in the office while she filled me in on the membership, which I had planned to pay for despite Dylan saying it was on him. That was until Taegan informed me he had handled all of that.
She then gave me a quick tour. I did see a few other women, but I can’t say if any of them are this woman I keep hearing about. I shrug it off and decide not to ask.
“Speaking of the bitch,” Halley mutters under her breath.
I look up from tying my shoe as I sit on the bleachers where we’ve been taking a break. The redhead who bumped me last time I was here makes her way over to where we are with a stink look on her face.
“What are ya doing here?” she snarls at Halley.