I stepped forward, just shy of getting directly in his face. “Thanks for the bullshit compliment, but let’s get to the point. Eli Gatlin. What do you know about him?”
Leon held out his hands. “What, no lube first? Just push right in?”
“Dammit,” Preston growled behind me.
I had to stop him from charging Leon.
“Enough of the bullshit.”
Leon chuckled but held up his hand. “That’s enough. Like you two, I have work to get back to.”
“Then let’s make this quick,” I insisted. “What do you know about Gatlin?”
“I know about that underground fight you went to a few weeks ago with your girlfriend. The one where you took his place.”
“What, girlfriend?” Preston demanded. “Fuck, do not tell me you tookherwith you to that shit.”
I spun around and glared at Preston. I didn’t like the tone in his voice. “Lena was with me, and I had no choice but to bring her.” The only reason I explained myself to him was that he was like a brother to me. Anyone else would’ve gotten a big fuck off if they dared to question me about my shit.
“I can’t fucking believe you brought her there. She saw what happened? So now she knows Eli fought illegally?”
“What’s the problem?” I balled my fists at my sides.
“The problem is if she goes and tells.”
“She’s not.” My voice came out low and tight.
“How do you know? You saw that video, right? What she did to her last boyfriend.”
In two strides, I was in Preston’s face. “Watch your mouth about her.”
He shook his head. “Eli told me you got in his face when she came here to visit, too. What the hell are you doing? Have you now forgotten what happens when you open up to a woman who can’t be trusted?” His voice was low, so only I could hear him.
He didn’t need to name names. I knew he referred to Vanessa and her betrayal. A woman I trusted, opened up to, and who used my vulnerability to take me down.
“Last time, it cost you a national championship. This time the shit could cost you our business.” He held his arms out wide and circled the entirety of my office with his gaze.
“That won’t happen.”
“What the hell makes her so different?” Preston demanded.
My fists tightened at my sides, and for the first time, I envisioned putting them through Preston’s face.
“Fuck you, Pres.” I poked his chest with my finger, pushing him back a few feet. “Don’t ever bring that shit up again.”
Leon cleared his throat from somewhere behind us.
“If you two are done, I can get back to telling you what I know. Unless, of course, you don’t need my help any longer.”
“Get to it,” Preston demanded, a sour expression on his face. “Is Eli part of your underground ring?”
Leon gave us both a look before shaking his head. “No, and he never was.” He shrugged. “Though, I wouldn't mind having that kind of talent fight for me.”
“Whose payroll is he on then?” I asked.
“He was on his former coach’s bankroll.”
“Wolcott,” I said.
