Chapter 10
New York
Ciara
“Oh, look over there, there she is,” Daliah says excitedly.
I look in the direction she’s pointing and furrow my brows. I’m looking for another white girl, but what I see is a girl with deep chocolate-brown skin and a pretty face. Her hair is brushed back into a full curly puff, and she has neat baby hairs around her edges.
When she smiles, it lights up her pretty face. Daliah rushes over to her and the two huge men surrounding her and pulls her into a tight hug. I’m five two even, this chick has to be about five five. She’s taller than me for sure.
One of the first things I note is her sharp eyes and her build. She looks as much like a fighter as I do. It’s just something I know when I see it. Although there’s something else about her. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something else in her eyes.
“Ariel, this is my cousin Vega. Vega, this is Ariel and her brother Chris,” Daliah says.
“Nice to meet you guys,” Vega says with a thick New York accent.
She then nods at the two men for them to grab our bags. As they take our things to the SUV and load them, Daliah gushes and rambles on. Ciarán looks around with a twinkle in his eyes.
“You all right?” I say to him as I wrap my arm around his shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m excited, but I thought her cousin would be white,” he whispers. “I also thought we’d get to go back to our real names here.”
I give his shoulder a squeeze and give him a pointed look. I assumed the same thing about Vega, but this isn’t the time to express that. I purse my lips and turn my attention back to Daliah and Vega.
“I had time today. I decided to come get you guys myself. Come on, these cops be on one.
“They’ll try to give us a ticket in a heartbeat. Dimitri can be impatient. Let’s go.
“Climb in and we’ll get something to eat and talk about what you guys need. Welcome to my city. You’ll want for nothing here.”
“Yes, food,” Ciarán croons.
I laugh and shake my head. This kid is always ready to eat. We follow Vega and the other two men to climb into the SUV. I can feel the excitement coming off Ciarán as he stares out of the window as we ride through the city.
“You guys have a taste for anything in particular?’
“Yeah, I want to try a chop cheese,” Ciarán says before I can stop him.
Vega chuckles. “Sure, shortie. I got you. Harlem is the home of the real chop cheese. You’re in good hands with me.”
“Cool, are we in Harlem now?”
“Nah, we’re in midtown, but the good news is you guys will live right next to the original spot. I own the new developments around there.”
“Wow. This is so cool.”
“Thanks. I appreciate everything you’re doing for us,” I speak up.
“True story, you’re good. I’m happy I can help, especially with your situation.
“You’re with family now. Daliah has been one of the best things to come from my father’s marriage. If you’re a friend of hers, you’re a friend of mine,” Vega says.
I swallow hard as I realize Daliah has shared more about me than I thought. My heart races and I wonder once again if coming here was the right thing to do. Daliah reaches to squeeze my hand from the seat next to me in the third row.
I turn to her and give her a weak smile. She knows how much my little brother means to me. I know she wouldn’t tell anyone my truth, knowing I could lose him if we’re found.
I give her a nod and relax. We’re here, we’re in New York and I’m going to get on a team and win that tournament.
Breathe, Cee. Breathe.
I sit silently as Ciarán excitedly asks a million and one questions. Vega answers him good-naturedly. I tune in to the conversation when Ciarán begins to ask her about the gyms here.
“Ah, yes, Daliah said your big sister is looking to join a gym. The fight scene here is huge. There’s something for everyone.
“Underground or the legit stuff. We have it all. I’d love to see what you’ve got, Ariel. I’ll be able to point you in the right direction once I see you in action,” Vega says.
“But what about the Irish gym? Are we far from there? I have a good feeling about them,” Ciarán says.
“Ciarán, be polite. I’ll be lucky to find a gym to take me in. Vega knows the scene. Be patient.”
Vega snickers. “Nah, he’s cool, ma. Shortie has good taste. He’s talking about the O’Brien’s gym.
“Roaring Irish gym is fire. If you’re going to go big, they’re neck and neck with what I have to offer. You better be able to fight though.
“Other than that one chick who has to be fucking someone or related to them or something, all their fighters are A1. There have been some changes around their operation, but the gym and its team are still solid. Excuse my language, kid,” she says.
“They’re Irish?” I ask as my thoughts go to my dad.
“As Irish as it gets. Fine as fuck too. I never mind when I have to deal with the O’Briens. We’re actually on good terms. I coordinate events with their uncle’s underground fights.”
“Underground fights?” I lick my lips as I think of my options here.
Vega turns in her seat to look back at me. She gives a laugh. “Yeah, I thought so. I know that look. We’ll talk more when there are fewer ears,” she says, looking pointedly at Ciarán.
Yes, I’ve become desperate enough to fight underground. However, more than anything, I want to fight. I think I should shake the rust off before I head to Roaring Irish.
“Hey, handsome. Let’s get you that chop cheese,” Vega sings as the SUV comes to a stop.
Ciarán nearly climbs right over me to get out. I shake my head and allow him to get out first. Daliah hangs back and places a hand on my arm as I try to follow the others out. I note the driver remains in the car.
I’m assuming he’s Dimitri. I heard Vega call the other two Nashawn and Ross. All three look scary and like they could snap someone in two.
I look to Daliah. “I told her the truth because of who my family here is. I couldn’t tell you much before we left San Diego. You are safe here.
“My stepuncle is a wealthy man, but his brother … Vega’s uncle and mentor, he’s something else. No one is going to fuck with us—at least they’re not going to live to talk about it. You have a ton of options here.
“I knew if I got you here, I could get you and Ciarán everything you need. I would never put either of you in danger. You’re my family now,” she says with a smile on her lips.
I tug her into a hug. She has no idea how much I needed those words or her friendship. She’s the closest thing to family I can remember ever having.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t you dare. You don’t have to thank me. I’m right here with you. We’re going to raise our little guy and find our happy while we’re at it.”
“What did I do to deserve you?”
“I don’t know, but you’ve got me for life.”
Dylan
“Hey, Dylan. I was thinking we could spar and run some drills. I want to show ya what I’ve been working on,” Cadhla says as she runs up on me.
Cadhla is a redhead like Taegan, but she’s much taller.
She’s five eight to Taegan’s five one. Where Taegan is short and curvy, Cadhla is tall and lean.
However, where Taegan brings her own light with her, Cadhla leaves you annoyed when she walks away, making you dread the next time she enters your presence.
“I’m actually heading up to the office to do some paperwork. Maybe some other time.”
What I don’t tell her is that I plan to find her replacement soon. I don’t need to see what she’s learned because I’m going to have a new female fighter, even if it kills me.
Cadhla doesn’t have the speed or technique needed to move through the competition in the tournaments. Granted, we can make up for her lack of scoring, but if I had a stronger fighter in her category, we could easily take it all.
She’s the weakest link and I can’t afford that this time around. Instead of getting into a conversation that will go nowhere, I keep moving upstairs, ignoring Cadhla’s spattering as she tries to get my attention.
Once upstairs, I enter my office to find Taegan at my desk. I close the door behind me and go to flop down on the couch. My thoughts go to Logan and Brooklyn. This is where they usually sit when they stop by to check on me.
It feels like it’s been forever since Logan has been here. So much has changed in the last year. I can’t help but feel like this is only the beginning.
“What’s on yer mind, Irish?” Taegan asks as I sit lost in my thoughts.
I smile at the nickname she uses for me. I once asked why and she told me it’s so I remember who I am, so I never allow what happened all those years ago to happen again.
“Nothing. What’s going on with you? What are you doing up here?”
Taegan has not only become my closest friend, but she’s also become like a part of the family—another big sister. When I took over this place, she became my personal assistant. She has stepped in a lot with Logan gone.
We all trust her. However, she understands Kate and Connie wouldn’t hesitate to make her disappear if she ever crossed us—my best friend or not.
“I finished the spreadsheets and sent them over to Jamie. Connie called looking for ya. She mentioned ya helping with the clubs. I offered to help out where I could. I’m on party-girl duty,” she says and wiggles her brows.
I groan. Connie took off this morning to join Kate. I’ll be stepping in to help cover for her and give my brothers a hand where they need me. I’m grateful for any help I can get. Once again, Taegan is a lifesaver.
“Grand. I hate doing that shit.”
Taegan laughs. She already knows how much I hate it when I’m asked to handle the task. It’s annoying.
Connie and Brooklyn like to hire fresh-faced girls to attend the clubs. Not the bottle-service girls, but girls who party with the patrons and keep them all happy and partying.
“I don’t know why ya hate it so much. Maybe ya’ll find a nice girl yer willing to date. Then ya won’t be so grumpy.”
“You’re my best friend, not my matchmaker. Mind your business.”
“Ya don’t have to be mean. I worry about ya. What are ya going to do if ya go back home and she’s not there? All this time ya’ve been wasting—”
“Don’t.” I cut her off. “I’m going to find her. That’s the only option.”
She sighs. “Fine. Yer love life is none of my business. How was Cali?”
I furrow my brows as the girl from that bar comes to mind. I haven’t been able to shake her from my mind. A part of me wishes I had followed her out or tried harder to find her after the fight.
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I then blow out a long breath. That wasn’t Ciara and I would have only been disappointed. My focus needs to be on the tournaments so I can head home, where she can find me.
“It didn’t work out for Felix like he wanted,” I reply.
“She said no?” Taegan asks with a look of confusion on her face.
She knows Kaye. We all saw how much she’s in love with Felix. If she had said no, that would have been a shock to us all.
“No, it’s a long story. He never got to ask.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. How was our little buddy?”
“Dae-Dae is good.”
A knock comes at the office door and Taegan groans and rolls her eyes. We both already know who it is. I should have known Cadhla wasn’t going to catch a hint.
“Just toss the bitch already,” Taegan mutters under her breath.
“I’ll be focused on making that happen soon.”
“Grand. I don’t do stupid well and she’s a fucking melter if I ever saw one. Pure eejit.”
I stifle a laugh and shake my head. “You want to order us some lunch? It’s my treat.”
“Ya know the answer to that. When do I turn down food? Especially when I don’t have to pay.”