“What are you talking about?”
He smirks. “Remember Victor, the one who was the reason for breaking your engagement?”
“What about him?”
“He’s in town and currently visiting Boris at the gym.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, I was racing out of his warehouse.
The rage buried deep inside of me, rage that has no business showing up again, emerges to the surface, and all I can see is red. My knuckles turn white from clenching the wheel, unsure how many red lights I have passed on my way to the gym. I need to calm myself before I exit my car, but there is a pent-up rage I’ve carried deep inside me for years, and they are begging me to let go.
Begging me to act on my emotions.
I take a deep breath before entering the gym. Chatter and pounding echo in my ears, my eyes searching for them. Just like that time before. I inhale, and the scent of the gym breaks the spell. But then I see her in the ring, fighting with another girl. No, a woman, who looks familiar, like a long-lost dream, one I feel nothing toward anymore.
She slams her shoulder into Valentina’s ribs, and I take a step forward, watching as Valentina twists her body and forces back uppercuts with her elbow.
“That’s enough.” Boris steps between the two of them. Victor appears from the other side of the ring. I glare at him and the woman who was fighting Valentina, still not understanding the reason behind his appearance in this gym, in this town, and near my wife.
“Well, is this the great Gabriel? I didn’t expect to see you here. Since you retired and all.”
I don’t miss the sarcasm in his voice at the wordgreat. He hated that I was better than him, hence the last fight we fought . He never hid how much he wanted all the things I had. Valentina hops out of the ring, and I don’t take my eyes off Victor as I wrap my hand around her waist.
“Nothing to say? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. After all, I got what I came for.”
I grit my teeth. I hate how he’s baiting me, and I feel the need to break his teeth. What is he here for? My heart clenches, and I glance at Valentina. This is the first time I’ve focused on her face since I arrived, and what I see sets my blood on fire. Her cheek is red and has a cut. I place my fingers on her chin gently and tilt her head to the side to inspect her wound. This will scar. I assume, three stitches. And someone will pay for it. If not now, eventually.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you here? I thought I made it clear the last time I saw you not to cross my path ever again.”
He smirks. “I’m not here because of you. You remember Naomi, right?” His eyes taunt me with the knowledge of what that name once meant to me. “She's getting ready for her biggest tournament. Boris was helpful in letting her fight with Valentina here since we’re in town.” His eyes narrow at Valentina, and they darken as he glances at my hand wrapped around Valentina’s. “So, I heard you got married.”
I move on a whim, loosening my grip on Valentina, and step forward into his face. I point a finger at him. “I will say this once and only once. STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE.”
I ignore his laugh and take Valentina by the hand. “Get your things. We’re leaving.”
“What’s going on, Gabriel?” I sense irritation in her voice, but I can’t talk about this here.
“Not now. Just grab your things, Valentina.”
She stops in her tracks. “No, Gabriel! I’ve had enough of secrets. We had a deal.”
I shake my head slowly. “I’m not doing this here. Either you walk, or I will make you.”
She crosses her arms in front of her, disbelief written all across her face. “I’m not leaving. I still have to…”
I crouch down and scoop her over my shoulder. She says things about how she isn’t done yet, which means more training, fighting, bag punching. And I need her at home with me. I need her away from those two. I hold her tightly as I walk toward my car.
“Get her stuff,” I tell Renzo as I pass him. “Let me down!” Valentina hits my back. “What’s wrong with you?”
“There are lots of things, and you don’t want to test me, Valentina.”
She stops hitting me, and her hands wander under my jacket. I grind my teeth and decide she needs to learn a lesson. I slap her ass as hard as I can, and she lets out a shriek. “Hands down. I know what you're searching for. My gun is in my holster, and you can’t reach it.”
I open the passenger door of my car and place her in the seat before reaching over and buckling her in. “You’d better behave if you don’t want to be punished more than I have planned for you.”
She crosses her arms. “You're not punishing me.”
I smirk. “Oh, I am, and I will enjoy every second of it.” I close the door, locking her in, and meet Renzo, who gives me her stuff.
