Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“When’s the last time you updated the logo?” Lucien asked me as he picked up one of our newly made hand towels Ari had displayed on the front desk. “A literal smiley face? What is this, fifth grade?”
“That’s not our official logo,” Ari explained for the third time. Her words fell on deaf ears—again—because Lucien was barely paying attention to her.
Personally, that pleased me. I didn’t want his eyes on my girl.
Professionally? I was two steps away from reading this asshole the riot act.
“If you have any other complaints, take it up with the labor board,” I spat and ripped the towel from his hands. “These were made as a favor from an old friend.”
“Or an enemy playing a prank on you.” Lucien’s lips curled. “You seem to have a lot of those hanging around.”
River’s laugh carried over the entire room. On request, he, Teo, and Bones had a small three-man scrimmage to show off their skills. Nothing like the fight for our application video, but something to tide Lucien over regardless. Now he hung over the top rope of our ring, with an amused smirk.
“Not the only one here with enemies, Lucien. How’s business going? Lose any more bets lately?” He winked, and I swore Lucien’s neck tinted slightly pink.
“Business is going fine, which is none of your concern,” Lucien snapped. He fixed a few loose dirty blond strands back into his swamp of hair. “We’re looking to expand across the West Coast and open a few more stores. Which is why I am willing to pay handsomely to sponsor your gym.”
“So basically we need to kiss your ass?” Bones asked. When I shot him a glare, he grinned apologetically. “Er, I mean, win for you?”
“Either or.” Lucien eyed the towel I held again. “Win and get One, Two, Hook back on the map as Seattle’s top sports goods store, expand across the coast, and get an extra cut of profits. It’s that easy.”
“Sounds pretty easy for someone not in the ring.” Teo took off his gloves and held them to his bare chest. “But what do I know?”
I snorted. Hell must have frozen over if Teo and I agreed on something.
“And if we lose?” Lotto leaned his elbows across the front desk, his chiseled jaw strained so tight, it could probably cut glass. “I’ve been hearing some big names are getting picked up.”
Lucien’s brow furrowed. “Teams haven’t been chosen yet. We’re to turn in contracts by the end of next week.”
“Doesn’t mean teams aren’t getting picked up beneath your nose.” Lotto drifted his gaze over to me. “Ka-yo joined up with Beatbox Fitness. And Firebrand went with Base One Gym, and he’s bringing Meteor with him.”
Fuck, Firebrand and Mitchell “Meteor” Swanson on the same team? Base One Gym was about to be stacked. Their third could be a literal elementary school kid and they’d likely still win. Those two were nightmares in the ring. They only pulled back because it got “boring” to continuously be on top. Good for me, because a beating from Firebrand had left me dazed for days, even before my injuries.
But the Circuit was offering a new kind of crown, and people like Firebrand and Meteor weren’t simply going to sit around with glory on the line.
River whistled. “Like I said. Absolutely fucked. We might as well call it now.”
“That’s one team out of tens of them in the Circuit,” Ari argued. “Even if we lose a handful, if we’re on top—”
“It better not be a handful,” Lucien sneered.
Ari’s face darkened but she didn’t continue. I stepped to her side and grabbed her elbow, squeezing. Mostly to be comforting. But also because if I didn’t do something with my hands, I was going to slap this rich bitch silly.
“Even Muhammad Ali lost five times in his career. Shit happens. If you’re expecting perfection, you better call up your plastic surgeon again and tell him your nose job is slipping. That’s the only way you’re going to find any,” I growled.
Lucien glared at me, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He looked like a schoolyard bully rather than any big, scary businessman.
“I’m not expecting perfection. I’m expecting hard work and loyalty.”
“And we’re expecting respect, which you clearly have none of, or you wouldn’t be talking down to the owner of this damn place.”
“Frankie, it’s fine.” Ari sighed.
“Definitely not,” River yelled from the ring and raised one of his gloves. “If you want to see hard work, Lucien, step into the ring with me. I’ll show you what ‘talk shit, get hit’ means.”
“Or me.” Bones grinned and swung his arm over River’s shoulder. “How about it? Want to make us earn our money?”
“Not with you two, but I think I can take on that one.” Lucien pointed to Teo, his rings glinting in the light.