Chapter 33 #2
Daniel hands him a large, thick envelope. “You can’t leave without your winnings. Inside is today’s and last fight’s. I need you here for the next fight, which is next week.”
“I can’t have these fights back-to-back. You need to spread them out. I need to train, and they can’t see me fucked up every time. If WBA finds out, I’ll be kicked out.” Max’s voice is thick with anger.
Daniel gives a nonchalant shoulder shrug. “Not my problem. We have a deal.”
Max tightens his hold on my hand, his jaw flexing. “And I have been compliant. You can at least do that for me.”
Drake steps in front of us. “I’ll take his fights. Release him from the fucking hold you have on him. I know how to box. I’m damn good at it. I can make you money.”
Max shoves him out of the way. “What the fuck are you talking about? No, these are my fights. You don’t need to drag yourself into this. I started this shit from the beginning, and I’ll finish it.”
It’s the first time I’ve seen Drake give Max the eyes that could cut through glass.
Like a big brother scolding his younger brother.
Drake’s gaze drags back to Daniel. “This is not his life anymore. He has a baby on the way. Give me his fights and leave him alone. My brother deserves to have a life of happiness.” Drake points around him.
“He needs to move on from all this. Max doesn’t need to have his family around this lifestyle.
” Max tightens his grip on Drake’s shoulder.
He ignores him and keeps talking. “Like I said, I’m a skilled fighter. Hell, I’m probably better than Max.”
Daniel watches Drake, then snaps at one of his men. “Bring Paco.”
A big guy comes out of nowhere. The man has some muscle, but I wouldn’t consider him a buff fit guy.
“Fight him,” Daniel says to Drake. “Show me what you got.”
In a flash, Drake tosses his shirt off, and it lands on Max’s face. All I can hear is a growl coming from Max.
They don’t even bother to get in the ring.
Drake goes for a punch to the jaw, and the guy fumbles back.
It’s not a weak punch, that’s for sure. It’s powerful enough to cut the skin.
The other man throws a couple of strong punches, but they’re not even close to Drake’s.
His stance and moves are all there. He knows how to fight.
Now, would I consider him better than Max? Probably not.
Drake’s fist connects with the underside of the man’s jaw, dropping him to the ground. The guy, Paco, groans on the floor, and one of Daniel’s men drags him out.
“Impressive. I think we have a deal.”
“No, we don’t have a deal,” Max seethes.
“We do,” Drake cuts in. “You have to make a deal with me that you will never seek Max and Sol.”
Daniel peers at Max for a little too long. Then to my baby bump. “We have a deal.” He extends his hand.
They shake.
Quiet settles over us as we sink into our seats in the car.
Max roars the engine back to life, then twists to peer at Drake.
“What the hell were you thinking? I took on these fights for Leo. It wasn’t your responsibility.
You didn’t need to get yourself involved with these men. Now they will have you by the balls.”
“Sure, I did. Who’s going to look out for you, huh?”
“I will take care of myself like I always have. You were there for us when we needed you. It’s my turn to take care of everyone.”
Max grips the steering wheel. Nobody speaks for a moment.
“That’s where you are wrong, little brother.
Have you heard the saying ‘blood is thicker than water’?
I find it to be false. We may not be blood-related, but years ago, I vowed that when I found my brother again, I would do everything and anything to protect him.
The night I ran away, the look on your pleading face haunted me.
I should have taken you with me. I’ve lived with so many foster siblings, but you…
you’re the only one I’ve ever loved as a brother.
So don’t take that from me. I’m here now.
Let me take that burden off your shoulder.
You have a family to care for now.” He shrugs.
“It’s not like I have anything to do, anyway.
I could use it as a way to release pent-up anger. ”
I gaze out the window so they don’t see the tears ready to flow.
Max sighs. “I appreciate it. I do. I didn’t want you to burden yourself with my messes. And for the record, I never resented you for leaving.”
“The deal is done. I’m happy to be the one to do it.”
Max backs out of the parking lot. “Thank you for doing this for us.”
“Of course,” Drake says.
Max idles. Then looks over his shoulder with a smirk. “For the record, I’m a better fighter.”
Drake laughs. “I knew you wouldn’t let that go. We’ll have to have a match, kiddo.” Drake glances over at Hector. “Pops, who do you think is a better fighter?”
Hector groans. “You both are excellent.”
“I saw that wink, Pops. I knew you would think I’m better than Max.”
“I didn’t do such a thing.” Hector laughs, defending himself.
Slowly and quietly, I exhale. As much as I hate that Drake is now in Daniel’s chaos, I’m happy Max is now done with this shit. Now to worry about Carlos.
Drake lays a hand on my shoulder as Max drives away. “Sunny?”
“Yes.”
“You’re like a sister to me, ya know? I wasn’t trying to leave you out.”
I laugh. “I know. I feel the same way.”
“Do you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask Drake, turning around to face him fully.
“Well, you came on to me.”
I roll my eyes.
“That’s not what happened,” I declare.
“Don’t worry, brother. I let her down gently when she asked if I was single.”
“I was only asking to get to know you. Sheesh. I was being friendly.”
“Too friendly,” Drake says, throwing fire into the pit, grinning like an idiot.
“Jeez, Sol, I can’t believe you,” Max’s voice is dry as a bone.
I gasp at him.
His body shakes with laughter.
I swat Max. “You ass.”
Something has shifted during the ride back home.
They aren’t blood, but the silence between them now feels like the comfortable quiet between brothers who’ve weathered storms together.
And maybe, in the way his father’s eyes occasionally find him in the rearview mirror—steady, approving—there’s the beginning of what he’s always needed but never had.
It’s no surprise when Max’s phone rings. Carlos. He always has to ruin the moment.
Max cancels the call. I peer at him. He’s never declined, which is strange. I can’t decipher the confused look on Max’s face.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I thought I saw Carlos climbing stairs in the warehouse.”
“Like the bleachers?”
“No, baby, where Daniel and his men go. I’ve never been up there. I only saw his backside. I thought it was him.” He laughs. “But I doubt it because he was holding a hooker’s hand up there…I just thought it was him. I’m mistaken. I couldn’t be him. Why would he be around the mafia?”
I glance over my shoulder at Hector, and he’s looking out the window, lost in thought. He must be wondering the same thing. Why would Carlos be in the Underground hanging with them?
I’m about to open my mouth to tell Max about Carlos when he says, “It must be someone who has the same body type.”
Not now. Not tonight. A lot has happened today. Tomorrow. I’ll tell him tomorrow.