At least, not if I can take out Moses first.
It’ll happen. That’s the way it has to be.
In the meantime, I need to be ready for anything.
I jog up the stairs with my bag slung over my shoulder and open the sleek glass door at the top. Inside is the sweetest training setup I’ve ever seen. It must take up the entire floor of the building.
Two different cages are set up at opposite ends of the space. One quarter is all weight lifting and cardio equipment. The last section is dedicated to heavy bags, speed bags, mats for grappling, and everything else you could possibly need to train.
A man with salt-and-pepper hair walks away from the two guys currently sparring in one of the cages and meets me where I stand near the door.
“Gabriel Legend in the flesh. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He holds out his hand to me. “I’m Jeb Goodwin.”
I shake his proffered hand. “Nice to meet you. Thanks for doing this.”
“For Bo, we’d do damn near anything, but when we heard the favor he wanted, we jumped in with both feet. I’ve been watching you for a long damn time. You’ve got skills, but with our program, you’re going to be a monster in the cage. Our gym will probably be at capacity after word gets out you trained here.”
It’s always surreal to hear when people have watched my fighting career through all those YouTube videos, but that’s the magic of the internet. It makes the world a hell of a lot smaller place.
“I appreciate it more than you know. Bodhi Black is training with my old coach. I’m definitely working from a disadvantage, because Johnson knows how I move and think.”
Jeb shakes his head. “That’s some real shady shit on the part of your former coach, but smart if you’re Black. Don’t worry, you’re gonna look like a completely different fighter when we’re done with you. Even your old coach won’t recognize the new and improved Legend.”
“That’s a big promise with less than four weeks to go until fight night.”
Jeb grins. “Just wait. You’ll see. I’m damn good at what I do. Don’t start thinking this is for pansies because I train movie stars. They’re just the only ones who can afford me on the regular. I know my worth.”
I don’t even want to think about how much this costs, but I know one thing—I’m not going to waste a goddamned minute of the time I have here.
“Then let’s get to it. I’m ready to warm up.”
“Perfect. Let me introduce you to your new sparring partners. You’re gonna be best fucking friends by the time that fight rolls around.”
Fourteen
Scarlett
I’ve plowed through a ton of work in the few hours Gabriel has been gone when my phone chimes from a text. At the same time, it buzzes with a notification from the security app connected to the camera and intercom at the front door. Given everything that’s going on right now, I don’t ignore either of them.
The text is from Hal.
Hal: Guy with brown hair at the front door. Older man with him. Sending a photo for ID. I’ll take care of them if you want them gone. You won’t even have to open the door.
The picture comes through a few seconds later. Chadwick and my father.
I drop my head into my hands and release a long sigh. Chadwick is the last person I want to deal with today, and I have absolutely no idea why he’s here with my father. I was sure that after I saw my dad at the gala, I wouldn’t be hearing from him again for a long, long time.
Apparently, I was wrong.
What could they possibly want?
I tap out a reply to Hal.
Scarlett: That’s my ex-boyfriend and my father. I’ll deal with them.
Hal: You sure? Because I’m happy to take care of this, Ms. Priest.
Scarlett: Thank you, but I’ve got it.
Hal: Okay. I’m notifying Legend. He’ll want to know.
I hope like hell that Hal’s text won’t disturb Gabriel, but I’m glad he’s keeping him in the loop. It makes me feel safer. Regardless, my goal is to get them out of here as fast as humanly possible.
I pick up my phone and tap the app that allows me to see who is at the door and talk to the person. “Hi, Chadwick. Dad. Is there something you two need?”
Down at the front door, Chadwick glares at the unit where he knows the camera is located, blocking my view of everything but my father’s shoulder behind him.
“This is bullshit,” Chadwick shouts. “I don’t know what the fuck you told the cops, but this is complete and total bullshit.”
“Scarlett.” My name sounds like a curse on my father’s lips as he steps around Chadwick and comes into full view of the lens. “This is unacceptable. Whatever you told the police, you need to retract it.”
They can only be talking about one thing—the information I gave the detective last week about the online stalker. The police must have finally questioned Chadwick. However, I’m not retracting anything. It’s illegal to give authorities false information, and I did no such thing. They’re only looking into possible leads, and where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head. My father didn’t even ask me if what I said was the truth. He doesn’t care that I’m being harassed and potentially stalked. He just wants me to make it go away.
“Good to see you too, Dad. So glad you could stop by in the middle of the day. I know you’re incredibly busy, so I’ll keep this short. I told the police what happened, and they’re handling the investigation as they see fit.”
My father’s face pinches with annoyance. “I am not having this discussion with you while we’re standing on your damn doorstep. Let us in, Scarlett.”
The camera angle is wide enough that I can see Hal walking up the sidewalk behind them.
“If Ms. Priest wants you to go, gentlemen, then go. Now.”
Both my father and Chadwick turn around to face him.
“I don’t know who you are, but if you’re another one of my daughter’s men, then I suggest you leave immediately. This is a family matter, and you are not involved,” my father says to Hal, who stands in the middle of the sidewalk with his arms crossed over his barrel-shaped chest.
“If by men, you mean one of Ms. Priest’s security guards, then that’s correct. I’m one of her men. And unfortunately for you, you’re on private property, sir. If she wants you gone, you’re gone.” From the tone of Hal’s voice, it’s clear that he means business if they resist. “I’m more than happy to remove you myself, or we can call the police. I’m sure they’ll be interested to hear of your visit.”
Shit. A scuffle right in front of Curated is the last thing I want to happen. Plenty of paps cruise by the building on the regular, hoping to get a shot of me or my celebrity clients coming or going. If they catch a fight going down, that publicity is not going to be ideal.
“I’m coming down,” I say into my phone before rising from the kitchen table.
A few minutes later, I unlock the dead bolts on the front door and stand face-to-face with my father and Chadwick.