Wrong (A Bad Boy Romance)(27)

After Spada’s done, I give a wave to my own guys. I’ve got a small group running my own part of the organization, including the guys who help me sort out the complications of our stable of MMA fighters. Based on what I just heard from Spada and a few rumors that have been floating over the last few weeks, I need to shift some priorities.

We head for a back corner of the room where I can hold my own meeting. I haven’t gotten started yet when one of the guys—David—starts asking questions.

“Why no fights next month? What was it, two? That’s not enough to keep the schedule rolling.”

“More than enough,” I answer. “We need to lie low the next several weeks. There’s rumors floating one of the fighters is about to turn state’s evidence. So we need to be ready for that.”

“Ah, shit,” one of the other guys says. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Just a rumor right now.” I’m not sure that alleviates any concerns, but it’s the best I can do. “I’ll let you know as soon as I have more information.”

There are some sullen nods, but among the faces I also see a few odd looks. I don’t like that. I’d rather somebody ask me questions straight to my face than stand around looking like they think they know something.

As I’m taking this in, one of the guys in the back of the group leans over and mutters something to the guy next to him. Okay, that’s enough.

“You got something you want to share with the class, Mick?”

Mick jumps a little. I’m pretty sure he thought I wasn’t going to see that. Surprise, Mick. I see everything.

“Um… Nothing, sir.”

“No, it’s not nothing. Look. I see you guys giving me the fish-eye and I don’t like it. Somebody tell me what the fuck’s up.”

Mick clears his throat, looking at his feet. After a second or two, David shakes his head. “There’s rumors. Just rumors, you know…about you.”

Well, at least one of them’s got some balls. “What kind of rumors?”

“You and, you know, Sarah.”

I act surprised. I actually am, just a little bit. Not much, though. “Sarah Corelli? Sal’s girl?”

“Yeah. I mean…” David shifts his weight back and forth. It’s annoying. “Some of us saw you dancing with her the other night at the party, and then yesterday… Well, she disappeared and you disappeared, and some people are saying…” He trails off. So much for balls.

“Some people are saying what?” I snap. “Tell me, David. Don’t just throw shit out there and not back it up.”

Mick grows a pair just then. “Some people are saying you took her home. You know. Spent the night with her.”

I nod slowly. “I see.” I let my gaze drift across the group. I wonder if any of the guys outside my group are listening in, but I’m not about to lose focus to scope them out. “Well, Mick, David…and all the rest of you, for that matter. You really think I’m the kind of guy who would run off with another guy’s woman right after they got engaged?”

Of course I’m exactly that kind of guy. I don’t think there’s a man in the room who isn’t exactly that kind of guy. But they gradually start shaking their heads, mumbling, “No, of course not,” and other similar comments. Because of course they do. I’d probably slam one of them into the wall if I got any other kind of response.

“All right then,” I tell them. “No more rumors, then. Just forget about that shit. We’ve got work to do.”

“Yes, sir,” David says, and that’s the last I hear about it.





Chapter Five



Sarah



One thing I’ll say about Nick, he’s got a nice place. He’s bat-shit insane, I’m pretty sure, but he lives in style. Left alone in his apartment, I’ve got plenty of opportunity to figure out that much about him.

I still can’t figure out what came over him. I thought we were having some kind of a fling. At least I think that’s what I thought. When it comes down to it, I’m not sure why I was flirting with disaster by responding to Nick’s advances. As far back as the party where we danced together, I’ve been playing fast and loose with the rules I know apply to me. I’ve been basically asking for Sal to come down on me hard. And in Sal’s world, that means a severe beating or maybe even a bullet between the eyes.

How in the world have I managed to get myself into this position? I feel like I’ve lost control of everything in my life. All because I tried to take the initiative and pursue my own dreams instead of the dreams my family tried to force on me. And now Sal’s trying to force one life on me, and Nick’s trying to manipulate me into another.