The Fight for Forever: The Legend Trilogy, Book 3 (Legend Trilogy #3)(10)

I shake my head. “We just said Moses wouldn’t come after me. I believe that.”

“That’s not what I mean. You need to start training. This fight is supposed to happen in a month. That’s not a lot of time to get back in shape to go three rounds.”

Hal is right. I’ve kept up training, but not at the level I should have in order to be ready to step into the cage.

“The fight’s not even a sure thing yet,” Q says. “We haven’t heard from the guys. No contracts have been signed. What if . . . it doesn’t happen?”

“It has to happen,” Big Mike whispers, and I nod, thinking about what Jimmy Jones, Harlow’s husband, told me.

“Last night, a high-profile sports agent told me it’s happening. He heard through the grapevine that they chose us for the venue too. I’m just waiting for the final word and the paperwork.”

“And Bodhi Black?” Q asks. “Are we sure he’s going to take it?”

Hal jumps in to answer that question. “Black would never walk away from this opportunity. He wants your head, man.”

“Dangerous to fight a man who’s got nothing to lose and has been training hard for months,” Big Mike says quietly as he meets my gaze. “You sure this is a good idea? You could pull the plug on it before the thing is even on the books. Tell them the venue won’t work.”

Q glares at his dad. “You’re trying to talk him out of it? Really?”

Big Mike’s expression hardens, and the crease between his bushy brows deepens. “This isn’t a walk in the fucking park, son, and you’re not the one getting in that ring—”

“I would.”

“I’m doing it,” I say to stop them from getting into the argument that’s coming. “I have no choice.”

Big Mike winces at me. “But you can’t win.”

“I have to win.”

“And what are we going to do about Moses?” Q asks.

I meet my best friend’s gaze. “I’ve gotta take him out before he has a chance to hurt another goddamn person I love.”





Seven





Scarlett





I wake up with my shoulder blades pressing into the hard floor beneath the air mattress. A wet nose nudges my arm. I open my eyes and smile at a waiting Roux.

“You need to go out, girl?”

She nudges me again. Scanning the room, I spot Bump’s feet sticking out of his couch-cushion cave. Soft snores tell me he’s still out, but there’s no sign of Gabriel.

Roux whines, so I roll off the air mattress, glad I borrowed one of Gabriel’s T-shirts and a pair of sweats last night, and yawn as I pad toward the door and down the stairs. A minute later, she’s bounding outside, across the driveway, to her dad.

As soon as Roux nudges his hand, Gabriel whips around to see me.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I was coming back up.”

Q stands near a man who I assume is Big Mike, his father, because he looks like Q’s clone, only about twenty-five years older and barrel-chested. Hal leans against the SUV blocking the driveway. The grave expressions on the men’s faces tell me that they’ve been discussing what happened last night. I have some things to say about it too, so I move to Gabriel.

“What’d you decide?”

He takes my hand and pulls me into his side. “Nothing much. Just getting everyone up to speed and making sure you and Bump are safe.”

I study his stubbled jaw and shadowed eyes, knowing I have to speak up now. “What about keeping you safe? Because that’s also a major priority.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

I nod. “Yes, because you’re moving in with me, and Hal can babysit us both. You’ll be closer to the club, there are great gyms in the city, and we’ll be easier to protect.”

Big Mike wipes powdered sugar off his chin as his eyebrows rise to his hairline. Apparently, people aren’t used to Gabriel being bossed around. Good thing I don’t care.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Q says, one brow quirked. “Actually, it’s a damn good one.”

Gabriel’s grip tightens on me. “I don’t want this to touch you. Me staying with you means—”

“That I’ll be able to sleep at night knowing you’re safe. Besides, Ryan and Christine have been after me for months to increase my security measures around the building. Now I have an even better reason. It’s the right move, Gabe. I already told you last night that I’m not letting you push me away. We’re a team. Now, pack your bags, because you’re moving to the city.”

Big Mike bursts into laughter. “Damn, I like this one. She knows exactly what she’s about.” He slaps Q in the stomach with the back of his hand. “You need to find yourself a CEO to date next time.”

Q glares but ignores his dad. “I agree with Scarlett. It’s the smartest move we’ve got. Now, let’s get the fuck out of this driveway because it’s making me nervous as hell to stand out in the open like this.”





Gabriel and I climb the stairs back up to his apartment, with Roux snaking between us to reach the entryway first.

Before he opens it, he pauses. “Are you sure you want to bring this right to your door? You know I wouldn’t blame you if you packed up and left town until this all blows over.”