Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rage
Monday morning staff meetings are usually casual but today’s is a lot more intense.
The entire staff is here, including Luna and Courtney, because we’re getting into our busy season.
A large amount of the business Daniil has been lining up is starting now or will begin soon, and this is the first time assignments are being officially doled out.
I’m also going to announce that I’ve decided to start training for the charity fight.
Luna said she would support whatever decision I make, even though I suspect she’s a little nervous about me getting hurt, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.
But she’s actually getting involved too.
She and Candy have been talking about ways she can help, and I think she’s going to bring Allora and Courtney on board as well.
“We have a full agenda this morning,” Daniil says.
“A few announcements before we get to the nitty-gritty of the schedule. First, we’ve just hired a full-time nanny.
Her name is Estelle Machado. She’s been an early education teacher for twenty years and was looking for a change.
Obviously, I’ve run the full background check, everything is good.
She’ll be starting next week, taking care of Celeste and Micah for us during business hours so Courtney and I have more time to devote to the company.
Eventually, that will morph into her running the daycare here at the office, and we’ll find someone else to be a full-time nanny for when we travel and such. ”
“Next is that Eric is taking a week’s vacation to handle a personal matter. He can tell you about it, or not, when he returns. Try not to be too nosy.”
Everyone chuckles.
“Okay, the schedule.” He has his laptop open and we’ve all received a printout.
“This is a big one—we scored the contract to handle security on the set of the Dusty Peaks television show. The downside is that most of the filming is being done in Atlanta, which means you’ll all have to cycle in and out of there.
Darryl Carruthers, who used to own Westfield & Carruthers Security, is living there now, so he’s going to liaison for us and we’ll pay him a consulting fee to take on building the framework of the security plan.
I’m going down there next week to finalize some details.
“Eric and Chaos are taking on the bulk of the project. Chaos will be there full-time to manage the project and act as Lacy Fontaine’s personal bodyguard.
” She’s one of the stars of the show, as well as a friend of Allora’s.
“Also, since Allora has a connection to both the show and to Lacy, she and Grim will be down there a good part of the time as well. Beyond that, we’ll have a rotating staff going to Atlanta for two weeks at a time.
“I believe there are also going to be a few weeks on location in New York City, so if anyone feels strongly about being there for that, or not being there as the case may be, let me know now.”
“I’ll do it,” Grim offers. “Allora has a lot of work in New York so it would be a good opportunity for both of us.”
Daniil nods, types something into his laptop and continues.
Usually, I don’t pay a lot of attention, but I’m on the schedule next. Once Mark comes back in two weeks, I’m the next one to go.
Two weeks away from Luna at such an early stage of our relationship isn’t the best timing.
On one hand, it might be good because I can focus on work, training, and what I have to eat to get into shape. I’m not going crazy since the fight is for charity, but I always want to do my best.
On the other hand, Luna can do most of her job from anywhere.
Maybe she can come with me for part of the time.
Not that it would be much fun for her, because that kind of security can be all-encompassing.
They don’t work a set nine to five schedule, which means sometimes they’ll go until late at night.
Other times it’ll be over by lunch. There are a ton of variables, including the script, whether the scenes are indoors or outdoors, the weather, and more.
I’m so lost in thought I miss that Daniil is talking to me.
“What?” I ask, frowning.
“What kind of adjustments do we need to make that won’t interfere with this upcoming charity event you’ve signed on for?”
I skim the schedule and almost everything revolves around Dusty Peaks. The rest is pretty standard.
“I need to be local the first week of September,” I say. “The charity gala is that weekend and I’m fighting Saturday night.”
Everyone freezes. “You’re fighting?” Mark asks, frowning.
“You decided to do it?” Grim asks at the same time.
I nod. “It’s for cervical cancer, which is a good cause, and I love to fight. It seems like it’s win-win.”
There’s some chatter as everyone starts making plans to attend and Daniil finally has to shut everyone up.
“Okay, guys, we can talk about the fight after the briefing.”
The group starts to boo and Courtney throws a balled-up napkin at him. He just rolls his eyes and keeps talking.
My phone immediately buzzes.
GRIM: You sure about this? You need me to help you train?
RAGE: Yes and yes.
GRIM: You got it.
Luna’s texts come next.
LUNA: The gang is a little TOO excited about you fighting again…
RAGE: Not you?
LUNA: I just don’t want you to get hurt. But I’m excited for you because I know how much you enjoy it. Plus, I’ve only ever seen you fight in videos. Seeing it live will be both interesting and terrifying.
RAGE: I won’t be mad if you don’t want to watch. I understand that it might be a little…brutal.
LUNA: Even if I have to cover my eyes, there’s no way I won’t be there for you! What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t support you in the things you want to do?
RAGE: The kind who doesn’t enjoy violence.
LUNA: That’s true but short of an emergency, there is no universe where I don’t show up.
RAGE: You don’t know how much I appreciate it.
LUNA: Maybe you can show me tonight.
RAGE: I could show you many things…did you have any one thing in particular?
LUNA: I don’t know. Didn’t you say something about handcuffs once…
RAGE: You sure you know what you’re asking for, princess?
LUNA: Oh, I’m fairly certain.
RAGE: Buckle up, buttercup. You better eat some extra protein today.
LUNA: You might want to take the same advice, big guy.
I chuckle to myself.
We’re totally ignoring the meeting, but I can read the damn schedule. I don’t know why we have to go over it in detail.
“Rage.” Mark’s voice brings me out of my lusty haze. “You think you could switch the job on October fourteenth for any other day? That’s my wife’s birthday.”
“Yeah, sure. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.
There are a few more change requests, Daniil makes them, and then we’re free for the rest of the day.
Well, I am. Luna apparently has things to do because she bustles off to her office before I have a chance to talk to her, but that’s okay.
We’re going back to my place tonight, so I need a little time to prepare anyway.
I joked about handcuffs but I honestly have no idea where they are.
I may even have to buy a new pair because I haven’t had a woman over since I moved into my current apartment.
“Hey.” Grim comes up behind me as I head for the exit.
“Hey. What are you up to the rest of today?”
“Allora and I have some errands to run.” He pauses, eyeing me.
“What?” I ask.
“You sure about this fight?”
“You already asked me that.”
“You’ve been out of the game a long time.”
“You think I can’t handle myself?” I ask in surprise.
“No, you can totally handle yourself. It just seems like you have other things to think about than fighting. Back in the day, you used to be a little…intense. Training. Eating. Sleep. And you and Luna are new.”
He has a point.
But I’m not the same guy I was ten years ago.
“I was intense because at the time I thought that was going to be my life. My career. I had to be intense if I wanted to win and keep getting sponsorships. This is just for fun.”
“Okay.”
“I do want you at my side, though,” I say. “Through training, and definitely the night of the fight. My cornerman.”
He scowls. “Like there was ever any doubt about that.”
I chuckle. “Just checking. We don’t see much of each other these days.”
“I’m not the only one who’s been busy,” he points out.
“I know. I’m just saying.”
“You don’t have to say shit. No matter how busy we are, I will always have your back. I have since the first day of practice in college—and I will until we’re both six feet under.”
I hold out my fist and he smacks his against it.
“I’ll see you later,” he says. “Let me know when you’re going to start training.”
“I have to drive up to L.A. next week to meet with Garth and the other fighters. Some kind of meet and greet bullshit. There’s going to be some media there to get some buzz going for the event.”
“I can come up with you.”
“Why don’t you bring Allora and the four of us can go? Luna’s planning to volunteer, and Allora was interested too.”
“I’ll mention it tonight.”
“Great.”
We both head out to the parking lot and go to our respective vehicles.
I have a bunch of shit to do.
And tonight is date night.