I spiral for a few minutes thinking she had another panic attack or worse—her deadbeat brother came back looking for her.
I couldn’t leave and check to see if she’s still in my apartment ‘cause I’m knee-deep in fighters all getting ready for the big upcoming fight on Saturday night. I haven’t even had a chance to ask Maxie, ‘cause she’s eyeballs-deep in training the women.
Once a month, we put on a mega event featuring the men and women fighters—newbies who are just starting out and ending with the best fighters amongst the men and women.It brings in huge revenue for the club, so I do my best to keep my head in the game, but, come closing time, my ass would be out the door.
I dip my head and duck under the ropes after a sparring session with one of our contenders. Blood’s waiting for me when I jump to the gym floor.
“How are we set for the weekend?” Blood’s usual question before a fight weekend.
“We got some strong brawlers and counter-fighters. They’re gonna be tough to beat.”
Blood cranes his neck to the other side of the gym. “Where’s Martina? I thought Maxie was setting her up for her first bout Saturday.”
“I don’t know.”
“I thought you had eyes on her.”
“I did, I mean, I do, but after what happened to her last night, she was still sleeping when I left earlier, and I didn’t wanna wake her. I guess she needed some extra downtime.”
“If she’s not ready for Saturday, I’m not putting her in the cage. Last thing we need is somebody getting hurt ‘cause they weren’t prepared.”
I nod because Blood has the last word on who fights, and he’s right, but it still doesn’t answer where the fuck Martina is right now.
“Hey.” Maxie storms toward us, waving her phone in the air. “Do either of you know anything about this?”
She shoves the screen in Blood’s face. He reads it, and she shows it to me.
MARTINA: I couldn’t leave without thanking you and Marisol for your kindness, but I think it’s best for everyone if I move on.
I read it twice. “What the fuck is this?”
“You tell me,” Maxie demands. “Which one of you scared her off?”
Blood and I exchange a look, and Maxie continues to glare. She’s savage in the sparring ring, and I’m quickly getting how she wins every bout.
I motion to the phone. “When did she send you this?”
“About five minutes ago. I just checked my messages, and there it was.”
“I’ve been watching the door all day. She never came in.”
“Did you forget about the back entrance that leads to the apartments? She never would’ve had to come in the gym.”
“Shit!”
“What did you do to her last night?” Maxie demands.
“Nothing.” Fuck, this couldn’t get any worse. Martina gone and Maxie interrogating me.
“Oh, so you were a gentleman and slept on the couch last night.” She rolls her eyes. “If you expect me to believe that, you’re crazy.”
“I never said that, but all I know is when I left her this morning, she was sleeping. Peacefully.” I snatch up Maxie’s phone and read the message again like it’s gonna give me some clue. “Did you check her room upstairs?”
“Not yet. I wanted to show you this first.”
The three of us troop up the back stairs. Maxie knocks, and when no one answers, she unlocks the door. We enter the vacant apartment, and Maxie heads for the bedroom, but I already know what she’s gonna say when she storms back into the living room.
“The little she had is gone.” Maxie holds up the dress Martina wore last night. “The only thing she left is Marisol’s dress, along with some other things I bought her.” She huffs. “That girl needed our help, and now she’s gone.”
