I’m not selfish enough to walk away from Louis because this man is threatening to hurt my feelings. Right now, in this moment in his life, Louis needs me and I’m going to be there for him, at his side, for as long as he’ll have me.
Maybe I really am the selfish one to stay, when it could potentially ruin him like this man has declared. Perhaps the smarter thing would be to run as far as I can. Leaving him while he’s training, when this fight is as emotionally draining as it is, when he’s scared to step into that ring is not what he needs.
Shaking my head as I sink into the driver’s seat of my car. No. Walking away from him a second time is not the answer and I know that he needs me right now. He needs an anchor and for this moment in his life, that is what I am for him.
Lifting my gaze to the front porch, I start the engine of my car. The man is watching me, his eyes narrowed into slits. Shrugging a shoulder, I shift the car into drive and I leave him standing on that front porch, bathed in his obvious misery.
This could be the biggest mistake of my entire life. No matter what happens or what is said about me, I have to remind myself that this is all for Louis. He needs me at his side, even if his team doesn’t think so, I know that he does and that is where I’ll be until I’m released from my duty.
Chapter Twenty
LOUIS
Walking into the living room, I frown at the sight of Gary sitting at my kitchen counter. He’s got a glass of water in front of him along with his laptop open and he’s clicking on the keyboard. My fucking publicist has just made himself completely at home, without my permission.
Clearing my throat, I cross my arms over my chest. “What are you doing here, Gary?”
He lifts his gaze, his eyes finding mine and he shakes his head a couple of times as if he’s disappointed in me or some shit. Not that I give a fuck, I truly don’t. He’s one of the driving forces of this fight and I’m still pissed the fuck off about that.
“Just came by to check on things, talk about scheduling some photoshoots soon for the merchandise.”
“You could have texted me for that, not sit at my kitchen counter for who knows how long without my knowledge.”
He clears his throat slightly and it’s then that I know he’s about to tell me the real reason he’s here. I hope he spits it out soon, I’m fucking hungry and I have shit to do.
“She’s pretty. Very small hometown girl vibe. If I hadn’t looked into her then I would have never guessed.”
“Guessed?”
He arches a brow and I know that he has discovered that Tulip strips on the side. It’s not his business, hell, it’s not anyone’s business. If it doesn’t send me into a screaming rage, if I can handle it, then that’s all that matters.
Granted, I don’t care for it, but it doesn’t bother me as much as I thought that it would. It’s a job, and that’s all. It doesn’t make me view her any differently, she’s still my Tullie. She’s the person that I fell for, her personality is the exact same and I honestly forget that’s what she does at night.
“I know she’s a stripper, Louis. You can’t have her on your arm in public. As soon as someone finds out what she does, it’ll be a goddamn circus.”
Tilting my head to the side, I wonder how they’d find out and judging by the small smirk playing on his lips, I know that he would be the one to spill the beans. I’m supposed to have a solid team at my back and here this man is ready to sell my story for a few bucks.
“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want. She’s mine, she lives here with me and I could give a fuck what anyone else says about that. What did you say to her?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “Just told her the truth.”
Shaking my head, I lift my hand and wrap my fingers around the back of my neck. Lifting my gaze to meet his, I narrow my eyes on him. I don’t know what truths he told, but I’ll be damned if he fucks this up with me and her. She’s mine and I just got her back, I’m not losing her again.
“She doesn’t exist to you, Gary. If you ever talk to her again, you’re fired. If you leak anything about our personal lives, or about her occupation in any way, shape, or form, you’re fired. You tell a friend to tell the media, you’re fired. Get it?”
I hear a low growl deep in his throat and that’s when I know that he was going to do just that. Turning my back on him, I wrench open the fridge and find today’s prepped lunch container.
Popping the top, I don’t bother heating it up. I honestly don’t even taste it at this point, I’m pissed off and want nothing more than to go back into my gym and get this aggression out.
I hear Gary pack up his shit and leave, thank fuck, then I shove my hand into my pocket and wrench out my phone. Finding Tulip’s number, I close my eyes and finish chewing the food in my mouth as I wait for her to answer.
“Is everything okay?” she asks immediately.
Grinning, I take in her soft, concerned voice. “Yeah, baby, it’s all good. I was calling to ask you the same thing.”
“Oh shoot, I didn’t leave you a note,” she hisses.
Chuckling, I clear my throat. “Nah, I figured you were at the apartment getting stuff ready. But I ran into my publicist, Gary, and apparently he had some fucked up shit to say to you.”
There’s a moment of silence and I wonder if she’s hung up, but then she speaks. “Is that what the man’s name was? I didn’t ask. He made some threats, but nothing that I couldn’t handle.”
I hate that. She shouldn’t have to handle anything. “Never again, Tullie. You don’t have to worry about that shit ever again, yeah?”
She waits another long moment, then clears her throat before she whispers. “Okay, Louis.”
“When will you be home?” I practically demand.
“By dinner.”
“Okay, baby.”
“I love you,” she says softly.
I can only grunt, my eyes automatically closing and the only thing I want to do right now, and every time she says those words, is to slide inside of her warm body.
After dinner, we’re taking our bath and then I’m going to do just that until we’re both so fucking exhausted that we fall asleep in one another’s arms without hesitation.
Ending the call, I finish my bland lunch, then down some water and make my way back toward my home gym.
Aaron is sitting on the small sofa in the corner of the room and he is watching television with a look of disgust on his face.
“What?” I ask as I turn my head.
“Don’t even look at it,” he demands.
It’s too late though. There’s a picture of Antoni on the screen, a family picture with his wife and children. They’re talking about him and I know that it has to do with me, with my upcoming fight. Then a picture flashes on the screen of me and Tulip walking hand-in-hand in the grocery store parking lot.
“Turn it up,” I demand.
Aaron does without arguing. “Just mere months after ending Antoni Byers’ life, Louis Kingston is not only going to fight again, but it appears as though the heavy-hitter has found love. We don’t know the mystery woman’s name, but they look pretty cozy. Will she be ringside at his fight? Will the outcome of this next fight be the same as the last? All eyes are on Louis Kingston.”