Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“That they are. It’s good to see you, too.”
He holds my gaze like it’s a weapon and he’s trying to end me on the spot.
“We better get downstairs and see Lombarto,” Robert says to Jessica.
“Why don’t you go with them?” I say to Audrey.
Her eyes are huge. “I can stay with you. Or let’s both go.”
“I actually have something I need to go over with Andrew.” I smile at Robert before sliding my attention to his son. “It’ll just take a moment.”
“Come on, Aud,” Robert says as he and Jessica head for the elevator. “I want to speak with you about something, anyway.”
Audrey kisses my cheek. “Are you sure?” she whispers.
I nod. “I’ll catch up with you in a second.”
She glares at Andrew before joining her parents. As soon as the elevator doors close, Andrew lets loose.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he booms.
I keep my right hand back but stay calm and collected.
“I’m here with an ultimatum,” I say, repeating the words he spewed to me not that long ago.
“The fuck are you talking about. Get out!”
“I guess you haven’t heard the news.”
He seethes. “What fucking news?”
“I retired today.”
It takes a minute for this information to fully sink in.
“So, this is how it’s going to work,” I say, unflinching. “You’re going to be nice to your sister. No games, no talking shit, no meddling—nothing. You do that, and I’ll keep every shred of evidence my investigator found that proves beyond doubt that you’ve been involved with fight fixing, test tampering, and a few other unscrupulous behaviors that put the sport in disrepute.”
His face turns a shade of red that I’ve never seen on someone who isn’t ready to pass out.
“And if you don’t,” I say, smiling at him. “I’ll plaster that shit on every fucking social media page, send letters to every fighter, agent, commissioner, manager, and fight fan that I can find.”
“What are you talking about?”
I shrug. “You can think I’m blowing smoke up your ass, or you can believe me. I don’t give a shit. Because here’s the thing—I love your sister and I’m going to be with her until she says otherwise. And what I really want to do—fuck, how badly I want to do it—is ruin your entire life like you’ve tried to do mine. I mean, I get off on that at night sometimes.” I look him dead in the eye. “Give me a reason.”
He runs his hands down his face and takes a step back. “Why would you give me the option? If you really had all this shit about me, why would you keep it to yourself?”
I glance at the spot where Audrey just stood and smile. “Because that would hurt her. And probably your parents, who are great, by the way.” How did he turn out to be such an absolute asshole … and effectively hid his true self from his family? Mind-blowing. “And as much as your pain would give me great joy, making Audrey happy is really all I care about. I imagine that seeing your name in the headlines and being disgraced everywhere sports are discussed—maybe even a mugshot—would send her spiraling. Your mother, too. And I just … I’m not that kind of guy.”
He takes the glass his father left behind and downs it.
“I will tell Audrey about our call,” I say. “And I’ll tell her that you made it clear that if I didn’t leave her alone, that you’d make my life hard. But I’ll keep the rest to myself to spare her the pain of it because she doesn’t need that. It won’t help anything. If you decide to play this differently, let me know.”
He takes his hand and swipes it across an ice bucket, sending glasses and debris across the room. “Fuck you!”
I chuckle to myself and watch him storm away down a back stairwell. I shouldn’t find as much pleasure in this as I do, but … whatever.
The elevator is open, and I take it back downstairs, finding Audrey beside her mother. She collapses in my arms, relief evident in her sigh.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, searching my eyes.
“Everything is fine.” I kiss her nose. “Are you having fun?”
“No.” She frowns. “Want me to fake illness so we can leave?”
Jessica moves around her daughter, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but you’ve made an appearance. If you two want to leave, don’t feel obligated to stay.”
“Are you sure, Mom?” Audrey asks, confused.
She brushes a strand of hair off Audrey’s shoulder. “Darling girl, I just want you to be happy.” Jessica lifts her gaze to mine. “And I think you finally are. Enjoy your night.”
She drifts off into the crowd of people that’s growing by the minute. Audrey watches her in amazement.
“So …” I say.
My voice seems to ground her to the present because she looks at me and giggles. “Why are we still here?” She takes my hand and pulls me to the exit. “Let’s go.”