She gave a soft smile, but tears filled her eyes.
“I had no idea any of this was going on. I’ll have to go see her. Today.”
“I knew you would feel that way. I’ll pay you same as I did her. You could go over her methods and all. I know it will take some time.”
“Flick, don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to her, and you know she was the one that helped me figure out easier ways to do the bookkeeping. It helped me land several freelance jobs while I was still in college. I have my CPA, but the jobs I’ve been taking on pay so well, and all good people, so of course I can help. I work for Captain though, and he needs me twice a week there, and Mondays and Fridays I have the job with product review company. It’s only from eight to two though.”
“That’s fine if you can do two days here, or whatever time you need. I just feel badly for Celia. She loves working here. It keeps her young, she always says.” She could tell Flick was upset about Celia’s diagnosis.
“Can you start tomorrow?” he asked.
“Sure. I’ll call Barry to see if it’s okay to stop by today to see her. God, I feel so bad for her. I hope she can pull through.”
“Me, too. It’s pretty bad from what Barry said, and we were in the midst of working out this partnership here, but he backed out.”
“Oh no. Well, maybe after everything clears up?”
“He doesn’t think so. He changed his mind and wants to be sure to spend time with Celia, and I’m thinking that eventually she’ll quit, too, even when she gets through this.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see. I appreciate your help with this. I wouldn’t trust just anyone with the information on my money and stuff.”
“I know, and you can trust me, Flick. If you want to draw up a confidentiality contract or whatever, it’s fine with me.”
He squinted.
“Never thought of that. I’m kind of old school with the whole handshake contract or a kiss. Either way.” He winked. She chuckled.
She stood up as he did, and he came around the desk, and she reached out her hand.
“Damn, I was hoping for the kiss.” He shook her hand and pulled her into his arms. She hugged him.
“It will be okay, Flick. She’ll be okay.”
He squeezed her tight and then pulled back. She saw the emotions in his eyes. He was trying to be strong, but he was worried about Celia, and she supposed that he needed a hug. Who wouldn’t when something like this was going on?
“So, tomorrow at eight is good?” she asked as he held the door open and they walked out.
“That would be great. Then maybe I can talk you into doing one of the self-defense classes or kickboxing beforehand or one of the classes afterward.”
She took a deep breath and looked around the place.
“You know I love your place and think it’s cool, but some of the women who come here aren’t really looking to improve their self-defense techniques. Don’t need to be lumped into the groupie category.”
He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Seriously? Is that what women think about this place?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Pretty much, Flick.”
“That needs to change. I want women to come here knowing that they can get trained to help defend themselves and also gain a love of all aspects of training, whether it’s martial arts, boxing, self-defense or just building self-confidence.”
She smiled at him.
“That’s great. Maybe you should come up with a program that draws more regular women here. Not so much the ones out to land a hot boxer or MMA fighter.”
“Maybe,” he said, and she was facing him, her back away from the gym.
“Leaving.”
“Okay. Did you ever meet Merica?” he asked as she turned around and then had to look way up at that guy Hook. He had a red mark on his jaw, probably from the punch he took from Lucky, but otherwise, his expression was unemotional. His eyes were brown in color, yet looked blank and hollow. He eyed her over, and she did her damndest to not look affected or scared by the man.
“This is Hook.” He introduced them, and she waited for Hook to reach his hand out, but instead, he looked her over and nodded his head. She did the same and squinted at him wondering what was wrong with him to be so rude as to not even shake a person’s hand hello. She turned away.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”
“You too and tell Celia I said hello, and Barry, too.”
“Will do.” She had to squeeze by Hook when she passed him. She gazed up at him one more time and don’t you know her nipples hardened against her top, and the tiny hairs on her legs felt as if they stood at attention as she brushed by him. The man was lethal and so damn sexy and attractive that his poor social skills, insane expressions, and physical ability to tear another human being limb from limb didn’t seem to concern her. She walked away and spotted Kerry.
“I’m going to get a ride back with the guys. Are you working at The Ring tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there for a little while. I’m supposed to meet Talia, Avana, Tiana, and Tiana’s friend Marianna there around eight.”
“Okay, I know some of the ladies from my office are supposed to go, too. There’s some band playing and also a martial arts competition on television everyone is psyched up about. Well, a little bit, their real excitement starts in another week when a boxing match in Vegas airs live.”
“Oh yeah, it’s in another week. Captain asked if I could bartend at the center bar.”
“Oh shit, that’s the busiest bar in the place and where all the high rollers chill.”
“I know. He’s afraid that his two regulars won’t be able to handle it. Jennings gambles on these things, so his focus isn’t always on bartending, and Charlie can be a grump when the bar gets overwhelming with customers and orders. Especially the complicated drinks. That’s where I come in.”
“I wouldn’t mind getting caught between those two behind a bar. They are good looking men. Ouch!” Kerry exclaimed, and Merica chuckled as Burrow slapped Kerry’s ass and then wrapped his arm around her waist and asked her who she was referring to.
“Oh, just talking to Merica about bartending.”
“We talked about you bartending, Kerry, and it isn’t going to happen at The Ring.”
She turned around in Burrow’s arms.
“But the money is good, and it can help us to get that place we talked about getting and starting a family in.”
Burrow looked upset.
“It’s going to take time, honey. Brick and I are trying, but we can’t get our feet in the door anywhere reputable to fight. Competition is high. We need an edge, and well, our break hasn’t happened yet.”
Kerry caressed his cheek.
“It will, baby. You’re so good at it. It will happen.” She encouraged him, and Merica smiled softly.
“Well, I need to get going. So I’ll see you at the bar tomorrow night.”
“Wear something sexy. Brick and Burrow have a few cowboy friends in town visiting.”
Merica rolled her eyes.
“Not interested.”
“You haven’t seen them. Pretty hot guys, lots of muscles, and they will surely be interested in you,” Kerry said, and Merica shook her head, but as she turned to leave and glanced past the office, there stood Hook and Flick. Flick was talking, but Hook was in a dead stare at her, and she quickly looked away and hurried out the door. That Hook guy scared her.
* * * *
“Will you think about it some more, Hook?”
“Why? Because Barry pulled out?”
“I offered it to you first, and you wouldn’t commit. Barry was willing and able and has the money, too, but then Celia is taking a turn for the worse with the whole cancer thing, and he wants to be sure to remain with her all the time. He doesn’t think it will work out at all. I could use a partner man, and you would be perfect.”
“Me, perfect? I hate fucki
ng people.”
Flick laughed. “Like I enjoy schmoozing with people? No, but I have to.”
“I don’t have to do shit,” Hook replied.
“I know that. Believe me, I do, but you know your stuff. You’re an awesome trainer, a great judge of character, and the other trainers respect you and respect what you say and do. Together we can turn this into an amazing place. A place that doesn’t foster underground competitions leaving men beaten to near death. It can also be a safe place for women to come and get trained so they are empowered and capable. You know that’s important to me.”
“I know.”
Hook looked at Merica as Kerry called out about men being at the bar or something. Flick caught sight of Hook checking her out, and it surprised him. Hook didn’t date or even bother with the multitude of women who came here to throw themselves at him.
Flick worried about Merica for the simple fact that her mom’s boyfriend was a creep. She was a woman who needed training, and earlier was another reason why she did. Men sought Merica out. She reminded him of his sister, and perhaps that was why he was so protective of her. His sister nearly died at the hands of an abusive man. He didn’t want to see any woman suffer like that.
“We can go over some ideas together and really build the place up. I want to try to get more women to come train here and develop their self-defense skills. When I was talking to Merica, she said she won’t even come here because the women who do are groupies looking to land fighters. Can you believe that? That isn’t the kind of reputation I want here.”
Hook squinted his eyes.
“She said that? Seemed to grab a lot of guys’ attention, didn’t she?”
“She’s a gorgeous, sexy woman, but she also doesn’t have any self-defense training. You saw her. She was in a panic. She needs training.”
“Not my thing.”
“It can be if you’ll consider the partnership, Hook. I could use a person I trust. Will you think about it seriously?”
“I guess so, but no promises.”
“Great. We’ll talk in a few days. When you’re ready.”
Hook nodded his head and walked away.
Chapter One
Greco was still unpacking the truck along with Ricci when the black pickup truck pulled up the driveway right past them. Romano was in the garage storing some of the equipment they’d used into the safety lockers. Greco was surprised that Hook actually gave a nod toward them. He barely ever talked, avoiding hanging out with all of them as much as possible, and because the house was so big, they didn’t bump into him unless Hook wanted them to or didn’t mind seeing them and conversing.
It was a tough situation, and even though they’d been offered a house inside the compound of SoJ, they’d refused it to maintain their home here on the outskirts of the fenced-in community because of the storage it had and they were used to living out here. When they were gone on missions, Hook watched over the place and maintained security.
He put down the bag when he saw Hook talking to his brother, Romano. They gave hugs hello and slaps on the back, but that was it. Hook didn’t ask questions, and Romano didn’t ask either. So when Romano squinted at him and then nodded toward Hook’s face, something was up. Greco walked closer to join them.
“What’s that about?” Romano asked him.
“Nothing.”
Romano raised one eyebrow up at his brother Cardesso, whom everyone called Hook as a nickname, and gave him a sideways expression.
“Had a little spontaneous altercation.” Hook glanced at Greco, who reached his hand out to shake Hook’s hello. They’d been gone for a week.
“All good man?” Greco asked.
“Of course.”
“Am I going to get a visit from Cesar over this?” Romano asked him.
Hook snorted. “It was in the cage.”
Not that any of them would be surprised if Hook got into a fight with someone. Not too long ago that had been a weekly occurrence. Hook needing to let off some steam and deal with his anger and always seemed to find assholes stupid enough to challenge the man. He never hurt them badly because he knew he could kill someone if he used his abilities, but he beat them enough to get his fill and relieve the anger he had boiling inside of him. Or so they’d thought, until he started coming home pretty banged up and ultimately involved with illegal underground fighting. His brother put an end to that along with Flick. Then he started working out with his old friend Flick. That seemed to change Hook for the better, and he got into fights less and less.
“Who the fuck got one in on you?” Rossi asked as him, and Ricci joined them.
“Lucky. Kind of drew him in.”
“You never let anyone get a shot like that in on ya,” Rossi said to him, looking at the redness along Hook’s jaw.
Hook rubbed it. “Felt good though.”
“To get hit?” Ricci asked.
“Needed it, that’s all.”
“And how did Lucky do then?” Romano asked.
“He was still out cold when I left the cage.” He started walking toward the house.
Romano exhaled.
“He’s fine,” Greco told Romano as they started heading back to the truck to unload.
“Don’t want him going backward that’s all,” Romano said and then rubbed his jaw.
“He won’t. He’s in a better place,” Greco said to him, and they grabbed more gear to bring inside.
“Man, I don’t know what I want to do more. Sleep or kick back with a fire and some beers,” Ricci said.
“Dinner first, looks like my brother took out some steaks and made potatoes and vegetable goulash,” Romano said to them as he opened up the refrigerator.
“Fully stocked. He’s the man,” Rossi said.
“You guys get the stuff put away, I’ll make sure the grill is fired up,” Romano said to them.
“I am going to love this break we’re on. We’ve been non-stop for months,” Greco said.
“I know. Thought working in SoJ would mean less work,” Ricci added, and they chuckled.
“Let’s hope we don’t get called out on anything like we did with J.T. and his men for Brazille,” Romano said to them.
“They were out-of-control worried about her. She’s a beautiful woman and strong, too. She’ll come through just fine,” Rossi said to them.
“Speaking about women, I think I’m going to take up the guys’ offer of meeting them at the sports bar for the fight tomorrow night. Tat said he and the crew will be there. Got that band playing that all the ladies go crazy over,” Ricci said, coming back over toward the refrigerator.
“Aw…feeling romantic, Ricci, after our adventure? Maybe wanna hook up with one of those chicks looking to get laid by a fighter?” Greco teased him.
“Not just any woman. I may have my eyes on one or two that could make me throw a little inhibition to the wind. We’ll see.”
They laughed.
“Make sure if you decide to bring one home you use the apartment out back,” Romano reprimanded.
That got them laughing a little louder as they went about cleaning up and preparing for dinner. Romano walked down the hallway to ask his brother if he was joining them.
* * * *
Hook finished up in the shower and looked at his jaw. A red mark. Hadn’t had any marks on his face for over a year. Made Lucky think he was going to have a chance, and it was worth taking the hit to make his cocky confidence come forward, giving Hook the opportunity to punch him square in the face, knocking him out. He was so fired up when he’d started he had hoped Lucky would give him a run for his money. No such luck. That was probably why he felt a little antsy now.
He stared at all the tattoos on his chest. The American flag, the helmets and guns lined up on his arm, and the initials of his fallen brothers-in-arms. Every tattoo had a meaning that was deep, and for eternity. He flexed his muscles. He was in the best shape of his life right now, his focus on training, on eating right, and maintaining his strong mental state.
Nothing affected him or got to him. No distractions, even minor ones.
That thought made an image pop into his head. The brunette with the green eyes. She was fucking gorgeous. Had him stopping in his tracks and he was actually relieved when some dick grabbed her without her consent because it drew her eyes away from him and gave him the opportunity to toss the asshole, who he wished had resisted a little. He was still pumped and ready to fight. Her eyes had been different when she looked at him. There was fear, but also interest. He felt it immediately, and he wanted nothing to do with it. He wondered how she knew Flick and was kind of hoping Flick kissed her or showed signs of ownership or something, but it didn’t happen. They seemed more like friends. He was jealous at the thought and didn’t know why. He was surprised to learn she wasn’t there for the reasons most women showed up at the gym. To check out the men working out training their bodies to be warriors in the ring on the mats or in the cage. Groupies for some of the guys. That thought made his gut clench as if he believed she wasn’t like that, but what did he know? Why did he care?
He moved away from the mirror, dried himself off the rest of the way, and stepped into his boxers. He opened the door and walked into his room, stepped into jeans, and then was putting on a shirt when there was a knock at his door.
He turned to see Romano there.
“Hey, joining us for dinner?”
“Not sure.” He walked over to his desk and glanced at the papers there. Information on the gym and going into partnership with Flick. He’d pulled it out before he showered, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to look at it. It kind of made him feel like he would be locked down to something. Like he wouldn’t have his freedom to come and go as he pleased. Not that he went anywhere too often, but he did like to take off when he felt claustrophobic with life and the town and just the monotony of it all.
“Come on, join us and have a beer and bullshit.”
Sons of Justice 9: Fighting Chance (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 3
