Page 114 of Knuckles & Knives
“Basement gym,” Kieran and Dom reply simultaneously, their voices carrying fond exasperation.
I find my beautiful wildcard exactly where I expected—shirtless and sweating as he works through a training routine that would challenge professional athletes. But he’s not alone. Three teenagers from the youth center move through forms beside him, their technique improving under his patient instruction.
“No, no,” he’s saying to a gangly fifteen-year-old whose footwork needs refinement. “Feel the ground beneath you. Balance comes from your core, not your shoulders. Like this?—”
He demonstrates the movement with fluid grace, his body moving like poetry despite the raw power beneath his skin. Thekids watch with rapt attention, absorbing not just technique but the kind of confidence that comes from having a mentor who genuinely cares about their development.
“Impressive,” I comment from the doorway. “Both the teaching and the students.”
Axel’s face lights up when he sees me, his wild grin infectious as always. “They’re naturals,” he says proudly. “Better than I was at their age. More disciplined, more focused.”
“They have a better teacher,” I point out, which makes him flush with pleasure.
“All right, that’s enough for today,” he tells the kids. “Same time Thursday. And remember?—”
“Technique first, power second, and always protect yourself and your training partners,” they recite in unison before grabbing their water bottles and heading for the elevator that will take them back to street level.
“Good kids,” Axel says once we’re alone, his breathing still elevated from exertion. “Remind me why we’re doing this. Why it matters.”
“Because you’re giving them what you never had,” I reply, moving to him and placing my palm flat against his chest where his heart beats strong and steady. “Stability. Guidance. Someone who sees their potential instead of their problems.”
He covers my hand with his, his callused fingers gentle against my skin. “We’re giving them that,” he corrects. “All of us. This whole thing we’ve built.”
And he’s right. What started as my personal vendetta has evolved into something none of us could have imagined—a functioning alternative to traditional power structures that actually improves lives instead of destroying them.
“Come on,” I say, tugging him toward the elevator. “Kieran’s made dinner, Dom’s playing daddy to our foster baby, andMarcus is probably running statistical analyses on our success metrics. Time for our monthly family meeting.”
“Family meeting?” he asks with raised eyebrows. “That what we’re calling it now?”
“Among other things,” I reply with a smile that makes his dark eyes heat.
An hour later, we’re gathered around the dining table that’s become the center of our domestic life. The baby sleeps peacefully in her carrier while we consume Kieran’s masterpiece and discuss everything from quarterly projections to upcoming political initiatives to the logistics of expanding our model to other cities.
“Chicago wants a formal consultation,” Marcus reports between bites of perfectly prepared osso buco. “Their mayor’s office is interested in implementing our community development approach citywide.”
“And the federal interest?” I ask, though I already know the answer will be complicated.
“Growing,” Kieran admits. “We’re too successful to ignore, too legitimate to prosecute, and too useful to shut down. But that makes some people nervous.”
“Let them be nervous,” Dom says calmly, not looking up from where he’s checking the baby’s blanket. “We’re not doing anything illegal. Haven’t been for months.”
“No,” I agree. “But we’re demonstrating that criminal organizations can evolve into something better. That threatens people whose careers depend on maintaining the status quo.”
“Which is why we need to be smarter than they are,” Axel adds, his wild energy channeled into strategic thinking. “Stay ahead of any attempts to undermine what we’ve built.”
The conversation continues through dessert—a discussion that seamlessly blends business strategy with domestic concerns, professional planning with personal intimacy. This ishow our relationship has evolved over six months of living and working together: complete integration of every aspect of our lives.
“Bedtime,” I announce once the dishes are cleared and the baby has been fed and settled for the night.
The looks that pass between my four men carry the weight of six months’ worth of shared experience, deepening intimacy, and absolute trust. What we share now goes far beyond the desperate passion of those early days. It’s become something sustainable, nurturing, and infinitely more satisfying.
Our bedroom has been redesigned to accommodate our unconventional arrangement—a massive custom bed that could easily sleep six, multiple seating areas for intimate conversation, and enough space for the kind of activities that five people in love require for complete satisfaction.
“Come here,” Dom says softly, his massive frame relaxed against the headboard as he extends one arm toward me. The other three arrange themselves around the bed with the kind of natural coordination that comes from months of practice.
I settle against Dom’s chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath my cheek while Marcus’s analytical fingers trace patterns along my arm. Kieran sits beside us, his ice-blue eyes soft with contentment as he watches Axel bounce restlessly on the edge of the bed.
My father ruled with shadows and fear. I built something brighter. Something worth protecting.
