The Fight for Forever
Page 19
Some cash. I almost laugh at how casually he talks about what is definitely the most money someone’s ever given me at one time.
Once Karas’s driver climbs inside and shuts the door, virtually every noise from the city is muted.
“Damn,” I whisper, and Karas’s expression halfway approaches a grin.
“First time in a Rolls?” he asks as we pull away from the curb.
“Yeah. That obvious?”
He gives a small jerk of his chin. “Nah. You should’ve seen Holly.” Only when he mentions his wife does his expression soften to easygoing. “She didn’t know what to think about the money. I grew up surrounded by it, so I barely noticed anything like that anymore. Watching her experience things I took for granted was like getting a second chance to appreciate life. She changed everything for me.”
My mind goes straight to Scarlett, and I realize Karas might be one person who would understand what it was like for her to grow up surrounded by luxury.
“I always thought growing up with money would make everything easy,” I tell him as I wipe my hands on my pants before I dare touch the leather. “Never worrying about where your next meal was coming from. No hearing gunshots outside your door at night. Never having to fight for your life to make a buck.” I give my head a small shake. “But meeting Scarlett has taught me a lot that I didn’t get before.”
“I can imagine. I grew up with a completely different mindset; it was unavoidable. Privilege can also blind a person, and it rots plenty of them.”
“Yeah, and then you get someone like Scarlett who is as fucking true as they come. She’s genuine and honest, and I don’t think she could tell a good lie if she practiced in front of a mirror for a week. She wouldn’t realize if she was being scammed, because she thinks everyone has a good heart, just like her. She’s a fucking miracle.”
Karas chuckles quietly. “She and Holly would get along well then. Holly grew up with more than you, but much less than Scarlett. She personifies grit and grace. She’s smart and stubborn, and will outwork me if I’m not careful. I get what you mean by a miracle.”
He turns toward me as we approach the club. “You’d better take good care of Ms. Priest. A woman like that will make the rest of your life worth living, in a way nothing else can.”
I think of every time Scarlett has made me smile, laugh, or just stare at her in wonder. “That’s the plan.”
“Which is why you won’t lose Saturday.”
“Damn right. Which means the mob better be real fucking sure that they got Moses under control, because I’m not taking a chance that bastard is going to touch a fucking hair on her head. You understand me?”
“Don’t question the mob or me. You’re covered. Moses won’t hurt her. Now, get that shit out of your head and focus on the fight.” He grabs the handle of the briefcase and offers it to me. “Put this in your safe. I’ll see you Saturday. Good luck, Legend.”
“I don’t need luck. But thanks anyway.”
Q stares at the stacks of cash I take out of the case and stow in the top shelf of the safe. “You just rode in a Rolls Royce with Creighton Karas, and he gave you two million dollars—in cash—for the hell of it?”
I reach back to grab another stack and put it inside. “Yep.”
Q wipes his hand across his mouth and shakes his head. “That’s some way to start the day, brother.”
A small smile comes over my face when I think of what Karas said to me. “You’d better take good care of Ms. Priest. A woman like that will make the rest of your life worth living, in a way nothing else can.”
It’s the goddamned truth too, which is why the first thing I’m buying after I win is a ring. One that she deserves. Because I’m going to be the man she’s always needed, even if she didn’t know it.
I still remember what I said to her at the hospital when she came out of surgery. “I’m not what you need, but I’ll learn, ladybug.”
The money I’ll make Saturday night won’t put me on par with what Scarlett’s got in the bank, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll be enough for her without it, and I finally fucking get that. She doesn’t care about what I’ve got. She cares about who I am and how I treat her. And if a cool mil of my own helps me treat her even better . . . no harm, no foul.
“It’s not just gonna be a great fucking day,” I tell Q with a smile. “This is the start of a great new fucking life for all of us, buddy. Just wait.”
“I believe you, Gabe. You haven’t let me down yet.”
Forty-Three
Legend
I head back to the gym, more in the zone than ever before. My focus is turned up to the max, and determination fuels every punch.
I bob and weave, throwing combination after combination.
Chadwick—smack.
Lawrence Priest—slap, slap.
Rolo—bam.
Johnson—feint.
Moses—whack.
Lucy—bob.
The list repeats in my head ad nauseam, and by the time we finish, the grin on Jeb’s face is as wide as the cage I’m going to dominate on Saturday.
“You’re fucking ready, kid. I wouldn’t believe you were the same fighter as when you walked in the door if I hadn’t trained you myself.”
I hold my gloves together and give him a small bow. “I appreciate every minute of the extra time and coaching. Johnson agreeing to jump teams might’ve been one of the best damn things that ever happened to my fighting career.”
“No shit. They’re going to be expecting a totally different fighter than the one who shows up. You’ve gone over Saturday’s schedule?”
I nod. “Yeah. And my office is ready. It looks like a locker room with the mats and equipment. It’ll work.”
“Good. Then let’s wrap it up here.” We head toward the cage where my sparring partners wait, and I shake out my muscles, ready to rock.
On my way out of the gym, my phone buzzes with a text.
I make two stops, and then I head home. It’s not until after I park in front of Curated that I realize home is now wherever Scarlett is.
Forty-Four
Scarlett
Gunter delivers my dress on Thursday morning.
I’m practically giddy about Sunday because it means I’ll stop waking up in bed alone. Those brushes of Gabe’s lips on my forehead in the dark as he leaves make me want to pull him back in bed and find some other way to do his cardio. I promise myself that will come after this is all over.
The garment bag’s zipper hisses, dragging me back to Gunter and the dress.
“Oh my goodness.” I gasp. The dress shimmers like liquid gold.
“You like?”
I turn to Gunter, my mouth open. “You’ve outdone yourself. This is stunning.”
“I hoped you’d think that. It’s elegant and sophisticated without being overdone, and yet daring enough to make every woman in the place jealous.”
The confidence Gunter has in his designs has always awed me. “You’re not wrong.”
“I never am, darling. And you’re going to look radiant in it. Here.” He unhooks the hanger and holds it out for me. “Run along. Try it on.”
I take it from him, marveling at the weight of the dress on the hanger. I expected it to be heavy, but it’s unbelievably light.
“What is this material?” I ask the talented man standing in my apartment.
Gunter winks. “Magic.”
I slip into my bedroom and carefully step into the dress. “Holy shit,” I whisper as the silky fabric glides over my skin, leaving a shiver in its wake.
“I’ll zip you up, darling,” Gunter calls.
I come out of the bedroom, and the only way to describe his expression is beaming.
“Yes. Absolutely, yes. Divine.”
My cheeks hurt from how big I’m smiling. “I know, right?”
“Come, come. Let me do you up.”
I give him my back, and he manages the zipper.
When I turn around to face him again, he s
hakes his head with a lopsided frown. “If only your mother could see you like this. She would have loved what you’ve done, Scarlett. She’d be so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“You think so?”
“Without a doubt. If she’d known it was possible to be as happy as you look, she would have wanted exactly that for you.”
My face shifts and my smile fades. “What do you mean, if she knew it was possible to be this happy?”
Gunter turns around, busying himself with the second garment bag he brought with him. The one I haven’t bothered to ask about yet. “You know what I mean. Your mother had her demons.”
After hearing that, I’d rather know more about the bag. “What’s in the bag, Gunter?”
He glances over his shoulder. “A surprise, darling.”
Goose bumps rise on my skin, and I’m not sure why. I’ve known Gunter most of my life, and he was one of my mother’s best friends for all that time.
“My mom was happy, though. I mean, after she left my dad.”
“Yes, thank God. Lawrence was a terrible choice for her. I tried to talk her out of marrying him, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
Metal clanks against metal, and I brace. Paranoia swims through me because suddenly I’m wondering if Gunter could be . . . if it’s possible he could be the one who has been . . . No. Gunter can’t be the troll.
Still, I hold my breath, waiting to see what he pulls out.
When he turns around, he’s holding a suit on a hanger, and I exhale.
“What is that?” I stare in confusion, slowly relaxing my hands, which had balled into fists.
“I made Gabriel a new suit from the measurements I took for the tux. I thought he deserved to be the most dapperly dressed man in the club, even if it’s not for long. You, of course, would overshadow any man in that dress, so I had to help him out as well.”
I swear, my heart squeezes. How could I ever have suspected my dear old family friend? I need to chill out about this troll business before I start assuming the worst about everyone.
“Gunter, I don’t know what to say. This is incredible. Thank you.”
“Of course, my dear. It’s my pleasure. I have to say, I approve of your choice of man, even if I didn’t expect to.”
“I didn’t know I needed your approval,” I say, raising one brow.
“You don’t, but you have it all the same. I hope you use it in place of your father’s, since he’s a miserable jackass who doesn’t know how lucky he is to have you as a daughter. I wish it had been my privilege instead, darling. Except, you know, your mother didn’t play for my preferred team.”
I step forward, and he lifts the suit to the side with a flourish so I can throw my arms around him. “Thank you, Gunter. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
He pats my back with his free hand. “Of course, darling. Whenever you need fatherly reassurance, you know where to find me.”
I loosen the hug and step back. “You know what? I’ll take you up on that.” Tears burn behind my eyes. “I think . . . I know I’ve got to let it go. Let him go. Lawrence Priest will never be the father I need him to be.” I shake my head as I blink back tears. “But I don’t need him. I’ve got way too many other people who care about me. And besides, him not needing me as a daughter made me into who I am, and since I like me . . . I’m okay with that. It’s his loss.”
“I’ve never been prouder of you than I am, right at this moment,” Gunter says with a soft smile. “And your mother would be too.”
I nod, and the conversation I had with Meryl a few weeks ago flashes through my brain. “I’ve realized she wasn’t a saint either. She was a woman with her own issues who was trying to figure things out for herself too.”
One of Gunter’s dimples flashes. “How enlightened. Yes, I would agree with that, but I also know your mother did her best. What more can you ask from someone than that?”
“That’s true. She did.”
“So, why not remember her that way? After all, the best parts of her live on through you. Her beauty. Her drive. Her kindness.”
My mouth forms a small smile once more. “Thank you.” I meet Gunter’s eyes. “When did you become so wise?”
“I got old, my dear. My body may no longer be young, but I’ll take the perspective I’ve gained throughout the years any day.” Something else flashes in his eyes, and he smirks. “Well, most days.”
“Are you going to tell me what that’s about?” I instantly wonder if Gunter’s got a younger guy on the radar.
“No,” he replies with a secret smile. “Enjoy yourself Saturday. I’ve placed a bet on Legend. I’m confident he won’t let me down. I could use a vacation with my winnings.”
“I’m confident he won’t either,” I tell him. “Gabriel is the most determined person I’ve ever met in my entire life. I believe in him.”
“Then he’s a very lucky man, indeed.” Gunter leans in to unzip the dress and pats me on the shoulder. “Good-bye, my dear.”
Forty-Five
Legend
Metal grates against metal as a crew assembles the cage in the middle of the club on Thursday. I finished my morning training and came in to check on the setup before I go back for my afternoon session. We’ve slowed the pace to let my body rest, but continuing to go through all the moves keeps me sharp.
Q comes down the stairs and stops beside me. His suit and tie are a definite contrast to my sweats and T-shirt. And yet, this is my club. Something about that makes me smile.
“You get any more info from the mob on Moses?” he asks. “Why didn’t they just take him out?”
I look at Q. “The last words from Creighton Karas were that you don’t question the mob. I gotta believe they have it handled, or it’ll fuck with my head thinking Scarlett’s not safe. Karas said he’s adding guys to our security team too.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m asking. I got word from our security firm earlier. They said they’re being invaded, and Karas’s guys are going to be calling the shots.”
My head pulls back. “No shit?”
“I’m not sure if it makes me feel better or worse, Gabe. Why the extra measures if they’re sure they’ve got Moses contained?”
I glare at him. “Are you trying to fuck with my head?”
“No. I’m trying to decide if Scarlett should even come tonight.”
“What if that’s what Moses wants?” I ask, my voice hushed as I remind myself that Moses is even more calculating and devious than he used to be. “What if he knows I’m going to win the fight, and he thinks we’ll keep her locked up somewhere else? What if the safest place for her is here, especially with Karas’s security team running things?”
Q’s gaze drops to the floor for a few beats before he looks at me again. “Hell, you might be right. I don’t know the guy, but if he’s that Machiavellian, maybe it is.” He jams a hand in his hair. “I’ll be glad when this fucking week is over. If I get gray hair from this, I’m blaming you, asshole, and you’re paying for my dye jobs for life.”
“Good to see it’s your vanity calling the shots, brother.”
“Shut the fuck up, Gabe.” He leans over and gives me a rough hug. “Just don’t fuck this up. We’re all counting on you.”
With the weight of the world already on my shoulders, Q’s statement lands heavy. “I know. And I’ve got this.”
Thankfully, I’m not lying.
Forty-Six
Scarlett
When I wake up Saturday morning, I already know Gabriel is gone. He told me what time he had to be at the gym to go over the game plan with Jeb one more time. I won’t see him until later, when he comes home from checking last-minute preparations at the club to shower. Then we’ll ride to the club together.
I told him about the suit from Gunter, and his whole face lit up. “No shit?”
I giggled. “You must’ve made quite the impression when you went to be measured. He likes you. He told me you’ve got his approval.”
Today is just the beginning. What we have is going to grow and change, and become old and wise like Gunter. All we have to do is get through tonight.
When I sit up in bed, I spot a box and a note on my nightstand.
“What is that?” I say to the empty room.
I pick up the note. In Gabriel’s bold handwriting, it reads:
* * *
Ladybug,
We’re sleeping in tomorrow. I love you.
—G
* * *
My heart melts as my smile stretches wide across my cheeks.
I lift the package off the nightstand and carefully open the shiny black paper to find a white box. I open it and pull out something round, wrapped in tissue paper. When I peel back the layers, I release an audible sigh.
“Oh my God.”
It’s a ladybug salt shaker. I reach into the box and unwrap the matching ladybug for pepper. Goddammit, that’s it. I’m going to marry this man.
But, first, I’m going to watch him win this fight, and hopefully see him realize exactly how incredible he is too.
Gabriel Legend, you are a special man. I won’t stop until you see yourself like I do.
Forty-Seven
Legend
I step out of the shower and scrub the towel across my skin. We didn’t do much training at all today, given that I need to save my energy for tonight. But Jeb had me go through his fight-day protocol, which included an hour of film pointing out Bodhi’s weaknesses for the last time, and then visualization exercises.