Page 97 of Dare to Dance
“Detective Rayburn”—she pointed a red nail at him—“filled us in on why you were distracted.”
“Jay, I’ve been a member here a long time,” Detective Rayburn said. “You know I wouldn’t screw you on anything. As I said on the way here, Kross wanted to cancel the fight, but we had a little girl’s life at stake. He was operating on my orders.”
“I’m more pissed that you couldn’t share any of this with me.” Jay glared at me. “You’re practically my son for God’s sake.” Hurt flared in his dark eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I berated myself for being a schmuck. I should’ve come clean with Jay from the very beginning when I’d found out about Ruby and Raven. He was right. He reminded me a lot of my old man. He’d given me advice, not only on boxing and the industry, but on how to be patient in and out of the ring. Boy, had I struck out with Ruby early on when it came to that bit of advice. “I couldn’t risk you canceling the fight.”
“Okay,” Gail interjected. “Most of what I saw in that ring from you, Kross, I didn’t like. I want to sign someone who will give me one hundred and twenty percent. I front a ton of money to back a fight. I can’t sign someone who will throw my money away.”
Jay sat down in his chair behind his desk as though he wasn’t ready to hear the rest of Gail’s speech. Detective Rayburn leaned against the arm of the couch. As for me, I stood facing Gail, ready to take the hit.
She scrutinized me as she angled her head. “With that said, I also didn’t like that Reggie was easily persuaded to jump into Mr. Baker’s corner. Your reasons as to why you did what you did far outweigh the reasons for Reggie aligning with a criminal. I empathize with you, Kross. I have children of my own. If anyone ever kidnapped them, I probably would’ve done the same as you.”
I held my breath.
“I did like how skillful you were in knocking Reggie out. I don’t see footwork like yours, and I certainly haven’t seen the hunger you displayed earlier in quite sometime. Don’t get me wrong. Reggie has a better record than you, but his cocksure attitude is not what I’m looking for. On the other hand, you take responsibility for your actions. You’ve apologized to Jay and me. That says a lot about you as a person. I also want to work with someone who has a quiet intensity about him. Therefore, I would like to sign you to a five-year contract.”
I grabbed onto to the back of my head and recited a quick prayer. Then I blew out a breath. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have the contract sent over early next week,” Gail said to Coach.
He nodded. Me, I couldn’t move.
Gail extended her hand. “Welcome aboard.”
I would have hugged her, but I was sweaty, so I shook her hand.
“We’ll be in touch.” Then she walked out.
I hung my head as the knot in my stomach loosened. To say I was elated would be an understatement. I wanted to run out and find Ruby and tell her the good news. Hell, I wanted to tell everyone, including my dad. I could now comfortably support my family, and that alone would make my dad proud.
Detective Rayburn clapped a hand on my back. “I’m sure you have questions about Baker’s arrest and what we found. I’ll be out there with your family when you’re ready.” He eyed Coach. “Sorry about the fight. I thought I could get to Kross before anything happened.”
“By the way, I didn’t throw it,” I said. “Ruby screamed. Then I went down.”
“I think we were all distracted when we heard her,” Jay added.
“See you out there,” Detective Rayburn said as he left.
“Jay,” I started. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“I get it, Kross. I’m hurt you didn’t confide in me. If we’re going to work together, we have to have open communication. For fuck’s sake, I have a daughter. I would’ve understood.” He plastered on a smile. “You look like shit. Shower before you see your girls.”
I flew out of his office and into the locker room. All I could think about while I showered were my girls. Ruby and Raven were mine. I kept repeating that while the hot water beat down on my tight muscles. I had a family—two beautiful girls that I couldn’t wait to start a life with. But first, I had to get through lawyers, a paternity test, and a judge. Regardless of all that, I dressed then strutted out into the gym with a huge fucking grin on my face.
Alex sat in a chair next to the ring with her hands cuffed behind her back. Detective Rayburn leaned against the ropes across from her, texting on his phone, and Ruby was walking out of the daycare room. When she saw me, she ran and hopped into my arms like an expert Olympic jumper.
Before I could say anything, her tongue was in my mouth. I couldn’t help but return the kiss until Detective Rayburn cleared his throat. She slid down my body, her breasts brushing against me, sending jolts of pleasure to my groin. My dick had a mind of its own.Not now,I shouted in my head.
“Is Raven inside the daycare room?” I asked.
“Your brothers, Norma, and Dillon are playing LEGOs with her,” Ruby said.
“I need to get Alex down to the precinct,” Detective Rayburn said. “Let’s make this quick.”
Alex’s face was pale, and red colored the whites of her dark eyes.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I only have one question. Why? Why would you get involved with kidnapping? Dillon told me that you were looking for answers on who killed your sister. Did taking my daughter get you those answers?” My voice was even.
