Page 43 of Dylan
“No, no. I really don’t have an answer. Tell Brooklyn it won’t happen again. I’m cracking down on my crew. I’ll take care of it.”
“You see, the problem is … I don’t think my brother cares anymore. Your fate is now in my hands. I’m not satisfied with your response,” I say and punch him in the gut.
The sound of his ribs cracking again fills the air. I look around his place at all our family has afforded him to build. He wouldn’t have any of this if it wasn’t for my family and yet he thinks he gets to choose when he delivers our return on our investment.
“Oh God,” he gasps. His face turns bright red, and he looks like he’s about to puke. “My little brother. He … he’s been wanting more responsibility, so I gave him some. He was jumped and they took the money.”
“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 walkover 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 femalefighters 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.
