16. Theias
16
THEIAS
F or a brief moment, I had doubted if Ella would keep the baby after the revelations of the day. I would have supported her, no matter her choice. Her strength and resilience have been inspiring after everything she’s been through in her short life.
We spent over an hour with Dr. Edwards, and I think I witnessed Ella fall even more in love with the life growing inside her once we heard the heartbeat. I can’t lie, even I was moved to an emotional state. I never imagined I would experience such a moment. I hadn’t even thought about it in the past.
Upon leaving, Ella was quiet as she read through a few pamphlets, writing down names of baby books she wanted to purchase and reading up on the prenatal vitamins. She was given a wealth of information and began to absorb it like a sponge.
“Could we go to a bookstore tomorrow?” Her eagerness, it’s exhilarating. The brilliant smile I’m gifted with when I agree makes me want to lay the world at her dainty little feet.
“I would also like to introduce you to the designer and foreman for the restaurant remodeling.” I twirl one of her red locks around my finger and tug lightly until she scoots closer to me. “I have meetings in the morning that I can’t miss, but I’ll meet you after the bookstore in the afternoon. Owen and Lucas will bring you to me. Caleb will stick around with Oliver, make sure he’s settled in, and get him acquainted with the gym.”
She pouts, still not liking the idea of her little brother learning to defend himself. “Are you certain that’s necessary?” Her hand drops to my thigh, draining the blood from north to south, and I must clear my throat before I can answer.
“Yeah, doll, it’s necessary. Even if not for Blake, I would suggest it. The boy should know how to defend himself from anything and anyone.”
Brushing my fingers along the fluttering pulse in her throat, I circle my hand around the elegant column and caress up and down. I tilt her chin with my thumb so I can see into her eyes. They are glazed over and filled with need, and I pull her into me for a gentle kiss. A teasing touch of our mouths. Licking the seam of her lips, I tickle her tongue with my own, letting her follow me as I pull away.
“There’s another fight soon; I’d like you to escort me again.” Licking her taste off my lips makes me crave the treat between her thighs.
“Could I choose my own dress this time?” There’s a gleam in her eyes that tells me I’ll regret allowing her to.
“If it matches your eyes.” She nods eagerly, cuddling into my chest for the remainder of the drive home.
Closing my eyes, I wonder how a week ago, I went from a constant state of anger, ready to take on anyone who looked at me sideways, to a doting boyfriend, willing to accept the role of father to another man's child. If someone had suggested this was how my week would go, I’d have laughed in their faces and slit their throats.
My request to Nick and Rue Gambino over a year ago had turned into a pipe dream after long months of failed attempts. I’d given up on finding someone to share my life with, destined for solitude among the men I surround myself with.
“Boss.” Caleb’s voice draws me out of my head. “We have a situation at the arena.”
“What kind?”
“The kind she shouldn’t be present for.” I understand his implication.
“Take her home, then we’ll deal with it.” He nods and continues, speaking quietly into his phone for a moment before hanging up. He’s clearly frustrated as he tosses it onto the seat beside him.
As soon as we arrive at the estate, I have Caleb bring around the car; I don’t want to waste time with the bigger limo.
“You sure you have to leave?” Ella asks as I get her settled in the kitchen with Lucas, who has been cooking an enormous meal. He’s going to kick my ass for leaving without eating.
“I’ll be back before you know it.” Kissing her briefly, I head out to find Caleb standing next to the Maserati’s passenger door. “Have you heard from Owen yet?” He should be arriving with the boy soon.
“Another hour or so.”
I nod, get behind the wheel of my favorite car, and we take off for the arena.
“What’s going on?” I focus my eyes on the road, maintaining my speed to avoid any speed traps.
“Tank decided to use Hanger as a punching bag. An ambulance has been called. Police aren’t being allowed into the building.” Caleb sounds amused.
“How bad is Hanger?” I’ll deal with everything else after.
“Unconscious. Broken jaw and nose. Likely broken ribs. You know Hanger, he’ll never back down from any of the fighters, and after what Tank did to you, he’s not about to take his shit, either.” Shaking my head at the man’s bravery, I admire him, too.
Hanger has been around since I first opened Lorde Arena–almost ten years now. He used to be a junkie living on the streets. I warned him that if he wanted into the fold, he needed to be clean, or I’d kick his ass out.
Two months later, he was back, clean as a whistle and looking every bit the part he wanted. It’s how he got his nickname, Hanger. He hung on like a dying horse. Since then, he’s proven his loyalty repeatedly, never once betraying me or what happens in the most exclusive building in the state. He’s earned his place in our lives, and it’s time we pay him back tenfold.
“I want Tank,” I tell Caleb, who stops typing on his phone to glance up at me.
“Boss.” I cut a savage glare towards him at the warning tone in his voice. “I’m just saying…Tank is well…Tank. You haven’t fought in a long fucking time, man.”
“You think I can’t take him?” I burst into hysterics as I stare at my friend. “You haven’t been paying attention, then, Caleb.”
I’m in better shape than every fighter in my employ for a reason. When they step out of line, it’s my duty to set them straight. Tank, however, won’t be set straight. He’ll concede to me, or he’ll stop breathing.
“I’m just thinking of the girl. Let me fight him.”
The mention of Ella does give me pause, but not for long. It’s because of her and the baby that I now must do this.
“Next fight, we’re the headline. Your only job is to protect Ella.”
Caleb nods and goes back to typing, likely filling Owen and Lucas in on my decision, hoping they’ll help him talk me out of it. Nothing and no one will convince me to let this go. Not when there’s so much on the line.
Turning onto the street where the arena is located, the flashing red and blue lights from an ambulance and multiple police cars don’t look promising until I recognize a sergeant I’ve dealt with in the past.
“Check on Hanger; I’ll be there in a minute.” Caleb does as I ask while I walk over to Sargeant Chris Fox. He’s been one of my LVPD contacts for almost two decades now. “I’m not letting your men in,” I inform him. Anticipating my response, he concedes.
“I need the guy who assaulted your man, Theias.” The poor guy looks exhausted.
“I’ll give him to you after I speak to Hanger.” I walk away before he can protest.
As I approach the ambulance, Caleb just shakes his head. “It’s not good, boss.”
“Hanger?” The man groans as he turns his head, attempting to look at me.
“Sorry, boss. Tank is just bigger.” He slurs his words from his inability to move his jaw freely.
“Get some rest, old friend. We’ll see you soon,” I say as the paramedics prepare to depart the scene.
“Bring that pretty girl of yours.”
Christ , I shake my head while the doors close. Of course, the asshole would still try to rile me up while he’s beaten to shit.
“Let’s go see Tank,” I tell Caleb.
Walking past the irritated officers being denied access, the door opens, and bright lights nearly blind me as I walk down the hallway to a locker room where Tank is being detained.