Now, about this hack squat.
It’s time I show my sassy friend Skeet that when it comes to strong quads and powerful glutes, I’m the only trainer in town.
* * *
After my fun early morning workout with Skeet, I have a pretty sweet time with my clients throughout the morning. Everyone works hard and seems to have a good session, plus one of my favorite clients even brings me a new brand of protein bar to try.
Call it one of the perks of being a personal trainer, but if there’s a new protein-filled snack on the market, then Mr. Jameson will without fail bring one in for me to sample. Mr. Jameson might be in his late sixties, but he sure knows how to push himself hard in the gym and it’s an honor of mine to have such a committed client. Age is totally just a number, and I’m all there for it.
But right now, my mind is about as far away from acting as it possibly could be.
It’s seven thirty in the evening and I’m over in the downtown loft where my scene work class is in full flow.
“Good work, Teddy,” my tutor says, eyeing me up as I walk off the stage with my scene partner Casey. “I really believed it that time. Keep it up. And remember to bring that kind of raw energy to your audition next week. I’ll put a word in with the casting director, but after that it will all be on you.”
“Thanks, Dermott,” I say, genuinely appreciative.
Dermott McFadden is from the old school of acting coaches. He’s worked in Hollywood, Broadway, and even spent some time in experimental Russian theater back in the 1980s. He doesn’t pull his punches when it comes to critiquing the work of his students, but he’s always honest and never makes it personal. I admire him a lot, in truth.
“Fancy coming for some drinks after?” Casey asks as we both taker our seats and get ready for the next pair to work through their scene. “We’re going to go and hit that bar over on Cornelius. The new one?”
“I’d love to,” I say, smiling shyly. “I know I always say this, but?—"
“Yeah, yeah, you need to be up early tomorrow,” Casey answers, a resigned look on his face. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you didn’t like me!”
“Come on, you know it’s not that,” I say, shaking my head. “But… I have to get up early. That’s just where I’m at right now. But one day, I promise.”
“That’s cool, I’m only fooling around,” Casey says, putting his hand on my knee. “It’ll happen, one day!”
“Silence behind me,” Dermott says, more than a hint of firmness in his voice. “The players are ready to perform.”
And with that, I settle back into my chair and watch as two of my fellow acting students make a start on their scene.
I guess this has been a typical day in my life here in the big city.
I might not have much when it comes to material wealth, but I lead a full and busy life and I’ve always got goals and dreams to chase.
So Daddy or not, my life is looking pretty great.
And when I wake up tomorrow morning, I’ll be doing it all again…
Chapter 2
Kirill
“It is agreed,” I say, casting my eyes across the dining table. “Our organizations work independently. Buttogether. No conflict. Total respect. Together we will create something new. Something better.”
I don’t show any emotion in my face.
My voice is low, calm, and controlled.
I’ve known Viktor for a long time. His ruthlessness as a street soldier transferred into his ascension to pakhan. To be honest, I had often assumed that we would one day be headed for a clash where only one of us would walk away alive.
But now things are different.
The city’s Russian families need to work together if we are to keep the law at bay. Not to mention the rival Italian families or the Mexican cartels that seem intent on sticking their bloodthirsty noses into our business.
“It is agreed,” Viktor applies. “We’re stronger like this. We don’t need to be best friends. We don’t even need to like one another. This is respect. This is a shared goal. And it will work, you havemy word on that. But your side must hold true to the pact also. Can you control your father’s men?”
