“Mr. Xander, Mr. Landry is still in a meeting.” The overly bright secretary smiles, blushing slightly. He’s a big guy, and he’s wearing a cheap but well-fitting suit. His eyes run over me with appreciation, like they do every time I come here, which admittedly isn’t very often. Julies and I usually meet at a bar or one of his clubs, but he’s been expanding his father’s business and even has an HQ now. He’s doing well, and I’m proud of my friend, but he is always fucking late for dinner plans and I’m hungry.
Maybe that’s why I do what I do next rather than just wait—that and I can.
I haven’t spoken to Faiz much since we broke up. It was awkward between the four sons for a while, no one knowing how to act. Chan and Julies thought they had to pick sides before I reassured them. I spend a lot of time with Julies, but we still hang out as a group of four sometimes.
I’ve been focusing on growing my business and settling into a new life, where I do what makes me happy, but that doesn’t leave much time for anything else. I have had a few . . . one-night flings, but I’m starting to realize it’s not my style. I prefer relationships. I want aconnection. Sex is all well and good to blow off steam, but I crave more.
I yearn for a partner, but it doesn’t stop me from flirting when it’s to my advantage.
Sliding my hand over the secretary’s shoulder, I flutter my lashes and smile secretively. “Is he? I didn’t know. Could you see when it will be done?”
He blinks rapidly and stands taller. “Of course, Mr. Xander,” he stutters and hurries around his desk to his computer.
Rolling my eyes, I walk to the closed office door while he’s distracted, open it, and step in, ignoring his gasp behind me.
“You know, it’s rude to keep a friend waiting when they are hungry,” I drawl as I prowl into his office, not even glancing at the meeting he is having. “Although, I hear you were grounded by your father, so I guess I can let you off.” I scoff at that. He’s a grown man, yet he’s grounded like a kid. “I heard you got caught stealing a cop car,” I finish as I walk to the mini bar and grab a bottle of water.
I hear Julies chuckle behind me. “Like you don’t get into trouble.”
“There’s a difference.” I smirk as I open the bottle and turn. “I didn’t get caught.”
My words trail off when I see the two people sitting at the conference table with Julies. One is a stranger, but the other is staring right back at me like he’s seen a ghost. I know I must have the same expression, but Julies doesn’t notice.
“Only because you used to leave me behind to take the blame for you,” he mutters, but I hear the teasing note in his tone.
“It’s not my fault you aren’t fast enough,” I respond softly before I blink and drag my gaze away to look at Julies.
He’s in a suit for once.
Nikko sits tall, watching me in silent shock. His hair and face are the same, though he’s in a white shirt and some slacks. There’s an older man at his side, maybe in his early forties, dressed in a cheap but nice suit, with a folder before him.
This is who Julies is meeting? My interest is piqued.
I never told anyone about Nikko. He’s my little secret, but I kepttabs on him through Yuki. I watch his fights, and I check on him and his gym to make sure he’s okay. I wanted to approach him, but I was healing from Faiz and trying to figure out my life—one that is dangerous and no place for a good man like him.
But here he is, sitting at Julies Landry’s table, a man even more dangerous than I am, so there is no ignoring it now. “Am I interrupting?”
“Always,” Julies retorts. “Nexus Gym is looking for sponsorship to get their main boxer here, Nikko West, to the championship. Nikko, Charlie, this is my friend Zia Xander, the owner of Xander Enterprises.”
I incline my head out of habit as he focuses on them.
“As I was saying, we don’t usually expand into sports, so I’m not sure I can be of much help. Zia knows more about boxing than I do.”
Only because I recently got into it during the last four months due to a certain boxer who saved me.
Nikko is still looking at me, and I can’t help but meet his gaze until Julies’s words settle in. I can’t offer Nikko the sponsorship, since I doubt he would take it out of pride, but I might be able to help.
“I do.” I smirk as I stride over and sit, eyeing both Charlie and Nikko like I’m curious. “What’s the deal?”
Julies hands it over, and I read it, feeling their gazes on me. “You should accept.” I smirk at Julies.
He groans as he leans back. “I don’t know shit about boxing, and I can’t afford a bad investment right now while we are cleaning house.”
I shrug as I slide the paper over, winking at Nikko. “I don’t think he’s a bad investment. I think he’ll win the championship. Like you said, I know more . . . but how about a bet?”
That gets Julies’s attention. He sits up straight, his usual smirk curling his lips. He can’t resist getting into trouble. “A bet, huh?”
“If I’m wrong and you lose money, I’ll give you that land over on the southside your father has had his eyes on for ten years. If he wins and you gain money, I want that protected building on Slaughterhouse Road.”
