Page 37 of The Tempo of Truth
I messaged Ky to let him know I was going to pick him up and bring him back to the brownstone for dinner.He sent back a thumbs-up, which made me think I didn’t need to announce my arrival.I was secretly pleased that no one batted an eye when I walked through the gym.Most of Lev’s guys were used to me popping in and out, and the Russian man had even stopped trying to subtly prod me for different ways to give Ky money.
Ky was in the boxing ring with a huge African American man.He was wearing a pair of cut-off sweats and black boxing gloves.He was shirtless, and the sheen of sweat that covered his lean, muscled body made him glisten under the harsh fluorescent lights.He looked so good that I momentarily lost track of what I was doing and bumped into a guy who was chugging down a protein shake.The collision sent the liquid flying all over both of us before Helio could pull me out of the way.I apologized profusely for making such a big mess.Fortunately, the man I nearly ran over was very nice and told me it was easy enough for him to clean up in the locker room.He even had a change of clothes, which made me jealous.
I took my soaked blazer off and contemplated tossing it in the closest garbage can.I wouldn’t actually throw it away because that was wasteful and would prove everyone who thought the worst of me right.Instead, I went into the women’s locker room to wipe it off and left it hanging on one of the metal doors to dry.Before I could exit, the door was thrown open hard enough that it bounced off the wall.I watched Ky storm toward me, the look on his face enough to frighten anyone who didn’t know him as well as I did.
Before I could ask him what he was doing, he gently grabbed my wrist and turned my arm in every direction, looking at the ugly bruise that had developed throughout the day.There were clear fingerprint marks stamped on my fair skin.
“Did Helio tell you what happened?”Despite a rough start, Ky and my head of security now got along like they’d been separated at birth.They constantly gave each other a hard time, but underneath the snark, there was a budding friendship that warmed my heart.It was good for Ky to have someone close by whom he could relate to when being in my world was too overwhelming for him.“It doesn’t hurt.I’m fine.”
Ky rubbed his thumb over the mark, his dark eyes full of fury as he stared at it.“What’s the point of having a security detail if you’re going to get mauled in the safety of your office?Shouldn’t that skyscraper be impenetrable?What if someone wants to kidnap you again?Are they going to walk out the door with you without someone trying to stop them?”
I tried to tug my hand free, but he just tightened his hold.“Today was an oversight.I’ll be more careful in the future.”I cleared my throat and reminded him, “The only reason I was kidnapped the first time was that I got taken advantage of by a family member.I won’t let something like that happen again.”
He let my arm drop and backed me against the sink.He put his hands on either side of my hips and caged me in.His eyes watched me carefully as he quietly asked, “Why haven’t you asked me if I had anything to do with that night again?I never answered you when you asked previously.”
I placed my hands on his bare chest.I felt his heart racing against my palm.I couldn’t tell if it was because he was angry about me being manhandled or the lingering discontentment from the old unanswered questions between us.
“I don’t know.I guess I decided I wanted you more than the truth.”There were lies I could live with.But being without him was unimaginable.
Ky sighed and pulled me into a tight hug.He rested his chin on the top of my head and softly said, “I didn’t help your grandfather.I found you that night purely by luck.I knew where you were because that’s where I would’ve taken you.I never wanted to hurtyou, Winnie.”His arms tightened, and his voice lowered even more.“But don’t forget, I am a man capable of doing awful things if they benefit me.I’ve never been a saint.”
I tilted my head back and offered him a smile that came straight from my soul.“Do you really think any Halliday is living a life that’s leading them toward heaven?Our family has always been in bed with the other side.”
He bent down and bit my lower lip hard enough to make it sting.“Are you cursing our son to deal with demons when he gets older?”
I hummed against his lips and told him my grandmother’s favorite motto, “A known devil is always better than an unknown angel.”
I wanted Lowe to see the good in others and himself, but also to understand that there was a time and place where goodness wasn’t going to get the job done.Sometimes, being bad and doing questionable things was the only option.It was hard to have a rigid moral line when you were a Halliday, even more so when you were a Halliday and a Kent.
All Ky and I could do was prepare him for a life reigning in hell because a Halliday would serve no one, not even if they were in heaven.
Ky
This gym was light-years ahead of Lev’s.
The equipment looked state-of-the-art, and the place even smelled nice, not like sweaty bodies and cheap disinfectant used to wipe down machines.More people were using the treadmills and ellipticals than were members of Lev’s gym.Everyone wandering around the space, looking at themselves in the mirrors on every wall, was attractive and wearing high-end workout gear.The entire place was full of young, fit bodies and cell phones being used to film content for social media.As soon as I stepped in the door, I knew that no one who paid for a membership here had ever been punched in the face hard enough to split an eyebrow open while working out.The day and the difference made me want to laugh.Even when I had money to burn, I’d never been in a gym that seemed more suitable for selfies than for working up a sweat.However, now that I was inside, it seemed like the perfect fit for a guy like Oliver Byrd.
This was the sort of spot where you could stay in respectable shape and also maintain a flawless image.Being able to brag about the ridiculous membership fee was probably more appealing than having access to all the equipment twenty-four hours a day.
Lev would have had a heart attack if he saw so many machines and so few people working out to get stronger.The Russian firmly believed that if you were going to put your body and mind through the paces, the result needed to be something tangible, like being able to fight barehanded or getting strong enough to protect yourself from all the evils one would face.Working out was a necessity in Lev’s world, not a hobby or a ritual done for clicks and views.
It took a while to get myself checked in as a temporary guest on a day pass.I didn’t meet the dress code requirements, and no one believed me when I told them Win Halliday was my sponsor.I had to wait at the front desk while everyone coming and going shot me dirty looks.Eventually, someone got Win on the phone, and once they spoke to him, I was handed a plastic keycard and offered a tour of the opulent space.I turned it down and headed directly to the locker rooms because the man I came to find had gone in there while I was stuck at the desk.
I had to dodge being recorded and the expensive personal trainers who smelled fresh blood and wanted to pitch me on one-on-one sessions.Most of them were twice my size and stacked with muscle, but I knew I could take all of them down in a fight.They were strong but soft, which made me more confident that I could deal with what I came here to handle uninterrupted.I swore I could fight my way out of this prissy gym, regardless of how many members tried to stop me.
The entrance wasn’t a door but a tiny maze of concrete walls I had to wind my way through until I reached my destination.I heard laughter and the sound of a shower running.I didn’t see who I was looking for, but I came across a naked older man who gave me a questioning look as he wrapped a towel around his waist.I spent so much time between my years playing football and working for Lev in different locker rooms that I was immune to seeing other guys’ junk.I ignored the questioning look and made my way up and down the aisles of lockers, coming up empty when it came to locating my target.I shifted my attention to the shower that suddenly stopped.Sure enough, a minute later, Oliver Byrd walked out of the steamy enclosure wearing a gaudy Versace robe and matching slides.He was rubbing his hair with a towel, so he didn’t see me standing in front of him until it was too late.
I punched him in the center of the chest, forcing him to stumble back into the shower he had just exited.Since the floor was wet, he tripped over his feet and slammed into the wall with a bang.The towel on his head fell to the ground as he struggled to regain his balance.He swore loudly and looked shocked and appalled when he finally recognized who was behind the surprise attack.
Oliver raised a hand to rub the spot where I hit him.He narrowed his eyes at me and tried to look tough, which was impossible given his current state.
“How did you get in here?This is a private club.I know you can’t afford the membership.I’m going to have you removed and call the police since you’re trespassing on private property.”
I snorted at his bluster.I pulled out the day pass and threw it at him.It bounced off his chin and landed in the shower basin.
“Since you want me locked up so bad, I’m going to give you an actual reason to call the cops.”Before he could brace himself or get situated, I grabbed a handful of his hair and held him in place while I smashed my fist into his face.His nose made a sickening sound upon the first impact.His bottom lip started bleeding uncontrollably on the second impact.Oliver tried to gain some traction, but the wet tiles made fighting back nearly impossible.
He cupped his hands around his bleeding nose and tried to call for help.I heard movement behind me, but I never took my attention off the man in front of me.
