“Dad, do you think I can do this?” I ask nervously.
“You know I do. You were born to be a boxer,” he grumbles.
“Then let’s do this. Trust me, I can do this. I wouldn’t agree if my body wasn’t ready, and there will still be some time. Accept the invitation.” For all my bravado, I’m filled with nerves. I knew this day would come, but knowing it and accepting it are different. If I lose, I’ll lose my chance. I can always try again, but everyone will forget about me and all that I’ve worked for will be for nothing. I’ll let everyone who has helped me train, including my dad, down.
No, I can’t lose, which means I need to win.
“Alright, I’ll accept. I’ll let you know the date, but until then, we are doubling your schedule. Sorry, Nikko, but we are going to fast-track it. Move back here until then so you’re closer.” I wince, and my dad sighs. “Bring Zia with you. I’m sure he won’t mind. If you want to be a champion, then you need to train like one.”
“Yes, sir.” I stand. “I better get back to it.”
With renewed determination, I head back to the ring.
I haven’t had a moment to look at my phone, so when I collapse into my bed upstairs, I check my texts to see Zia replied. I don’t tell him about the challenge. I want to do it in person. I’m hoping my dad is right and Zia will move here for a while. I don’t think I can sleep without him anymore, but I need to be here for now.
Zia: I’ll be back really late tonight. Don’t wait for me.
I hit call, and he answers. There’s the sound of an engine in the background and mumbling, but then it goes quiet. “Hey, baby,” I greet.
“Tired?” he asks with a laugh.
“A little. Dad has me working overtime. I’ll tell you later. Where are you?” I whine.
“Something came up for work,” he replies, but there’s something in his voice that catches my attention, and I sit up. “Why don’t you stay at your place tonight, and when I’m done, I’ll come there?”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” He covers the phone as I hear a voice, and I swear it sounds like Mr. Landry’s. “Sorry, Nikko, I have to go.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later?” I hate the question at the end of my sentence.
“Of course. Bye, baby.” He hangs up, and as I stare at my phone, I have a horrible feeling. I open my social media, ignoring all the tags of Zia and me. I’ve already reposted and saved them. Instead, I navigateto his. It’s his personal one that he keeps private, not his business one, and on his first post is a picture of him and Faiz.
They are leaning into each other with a club name behind them.
I’m on my feet before I realize it, staring at the photo as I try to figure out what is happening. He wouldn’t cheat on me, and especially not with Faiz. There’s an explanation, but none seem to fit, and my worry only grows.
I should go to bed, wait for him to come back and explain, but this irrational jealousy and worry won’t go away, so I grab my bike keys and jacket then head out.
I refuse to sit idly by. He’s mine.
Whatever is happening, it’s my business too.
FORTY-FOUR
It was Faiz’s idea, and despite how much I hate it, I know it will work. It’s the perfect place to attack us with the four sons together. Two birds, one stone.
If they want our downfall, this would be the place to do it. I just hate that I have to work with Faiz. I want this to be over so I can crawl into Nikko’s arms.
We’ve posted everywhere in hopes of gaining their attention, and now all we can do is wait.
“It’s nice having us all together,” Chan comments casually. “Drinking and murder? My two favorite things.”
I grin and toast him as Faiz leans in, draping his arm along the back of my seat. I shift forward to avoid it. “He’s right. It’s been too long.”
“Don’t push it,” I warn him as I sip my drink, scanning the club’s inhabitants. I wonder if any of them are working for whoever is determined to dethrone and kill me.
I have much more important things to focus on, like Nikko and our future.
