“Let’s see how this fight goes, and then we’ll sit down and talk about it. How’s that?” I’m dodging his question, but at least I don’t feel like such a piece of shit.
Rolo shifts on his feet and cracks his knuckles, which sport heavy gold rings. “Yeah. You and me will sit down and talk after this is over. I miss you, man.”
I step in, and we give each other a half hug, slapping backs. I’m covered in sweat, but that’s nothing new for Rolo.
When we release each other, I shake his outstretched hand. “Thanks for understanding. I’m really not trying to fuck you over here. I just don’t have a choice. I have to do this.”
“Yeah, Legend. I’m getting that. I’ll see you again soon. You got my number. Don’t be a stranger.”
Rolo leaves the gym, and a sense of relief washes over me as he disappears from sight.
Everything’s going to work out just fine. Those contracts will be on my desk and signed this week. I’m going to take out Moses, beat Bodhi Black, make Scarlett happy, and save the club.
I got this. Somehow.
Twelve
Scarlett
Gabrieland I are both working on our laptops when there’s a knock on the interior door Monday morning.
“Amy’s here. Crap, I lost track of time.”
He stands up. “I’ll get out of your way then. I’ve got an office of my own, after all.”
I’ve been struggling with the idea of him out there in the world where Moses can get to him, while I stay at Curated with security out front.
Hal’s half brother, Pat, also a former boxer, is alternating shifts with him until this entire thing is over. When I asked Gabriel if I could pay their salaries, we had our first official living-together argument. It ended in my bed, with both of us naked, so I’m calling it a win.
We agreed to split the cost of Pat’s time, since Hal won’t take any money, but only because I told Gabriel it wasn’t fair to expect me to sit back and contribute nothing when his money could be better spent elsewhere, like on the club.
“Stay. Take the bedroom. We won’t be long. Maybe a half hour. It’s usually a super-quick rundown of the week and any employee issues.”
He tucks the laptop under his arm and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be on that fancy little couch of yours then. That is, if it can hold my weight.”
I squint at him, not really offended at his quip. “The settee is solid. I promise.”
“We’ll see about that.”
He heads for the bedroom as I let Amy in. Her eyes expand to the size of dinner plates as she looks over my shoulder and watches him shut the door.
“I thought I heard a man’s voice in here. I’m sorry.” She glances back to my face. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. You didn’t say anything about changing the time of our meeting, but we can reschedule.”
“It’s fine. No need to change anything. Come sit down.”
Her gaze cuts to the closed bedroom door again. “Does this have something to do with the black SUV out front that hasn’t moved since Sunday?”
“How do you know it hasn’t moved since Sunday?”
“I thought it was suspicious, so I went back and checked the security feeds. What’s going on, Scarlett?”
“I needed to increase security. Ryan and Christine were pushing me to do it when the troll first surfaced, but I didn’t want to overreact. Now ... I think it’s time.”
Her eyes grow wide again. “This is because of the troll?”
“Not quite. But it’s important.”
“Before I fully freak out, is there some other threat I need to know about? Are you in danger? Because of him?” Amy’s gaze darts to the bedroom door as it opens.