Page 34 of Blinded By Forever
I watch him as his expression melts with every word she says and for the first time in a long time I don’t see a Capo. I see a father.
I’ve seen Killian and how he acts with Luna a bunch of times. He softens and acts like a person instead of a closed off asshole.
“You’re a good one,” I notice.
“I’m trying to be. For her,” he says while staring down at her.
“I meant what I said Killian. I’m done.” I stand.
He gives me another nod. “Then go home, Hayden. Go to your wife and kids.”
And just like that it was over.
The empire, the job, the rush.
I leave it all in that office, with a little girl drawing snuggle dogs and a man who finally understands that we won’t live in this world forever.
Eighteen
Hayden
The smellof sweat and old leather hits me the second we step into the gym.
It’s not a fancy place, more grit than polish, more history than chrome. But that’s why I brought the boys here. This is where I learned discipline, control, pain, how to throw a punch without losing myself in the heat of it.
It’s been two months since California, since I got shot.
Since I almost lost my life and didn’t come home.
My abdomen still hurts a little bit but I want to get back into the gym and also show the boys what I do.
I have taken Junior to the gym with me in the past but since I’m not involved with Killian’s business anymore, I want to spend more time with my boys, showing them how to properly channel their anger like I did.
I haven’t been to this gym in a few years since I use my gym back in Italy and I fly Freddie out to train me. Whenever I come to Utah, I come to visit family for a few days before leaving so I don’t even have time to go to the gym and train.
Jaclyn is at my parents’ house with River. I decided it was time to show my boys where I first got into fighting, the place that landed me where I am today.
If I never ran into this gym, into Freddie, then I wouldn’t have ended up living with the Nights and I wouldn’t be where I am.
Junior’s eyes light up as he takes it all in. The boxing ring. The weight benches, the heavy bags hanging like ghosts waiting to fight. Easton clings onto my hand at first but eventually lets go, curiosity getting the best of him.
Junior has always liked it when I trained with him.
He thought it was fun and exhilarating.
Easton has always wondered what it’s like training and now it’s finally time I show him.
“You trained here?” Junior asks, craning his neck to look up at the rafters.
“Yea,” I say, tossing my gym bag down. “Back when I was a little older than you, Carter used to drive me here everyday after school to meet with my trainer, Freddie.”
“Uncle Freddie?” Easton asks, looking up at me with curiosity.
I nod my head. “He’s the one who found me and took me to Carter.”
“Was he mean?” Easton asks.
I smile a little. “Strict but he wasn’t mean. Just didn't know how to show that he cared. He was figuring it out, like I am.”
