Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“His connections from prison. He didn’t say who, but he said to be careful of gang violence.”
“Racist ass prick,” Bones said. He gripped his knees so hard I thought he might break them. “I should beat his fucking face in.”
“You should have told us this, Ari,” Frankie pressed. “We could have figured it out together.”
“But you guys were so happy,” she whispered. She wiped away the tears on her cheeks, but wet tear trails remained. “You kept winning and talking about making it to the top four. How could I ruin that?”
“The only person ruining things is that fucking bastard,” I spat. “We need to go to the Circuit.”
“No, we need to go to Mexico City.” Bones pushed from his chair. The loud scraping of the wood on the floor grated on my nerves. “Check on Dad.”
“We don’t know where the gym is, Bones.”
“Then we’ll ask around when we get there. Someone is bound to know where it is.”
“Mexico City is huge. It’ll take us weeks.”
“And?”
“And what about the Circuit?” Frankie asked.
Bones threw up his hands. “What about the fucking Circuit? I’ve had it up to my fucking neck with those assholes!”
“But we’re so close to the finish line,” Ari added.
“And this is my dad’s life we’re talking about here! That’s so much more important than some tournament in Vegas.” Bones pointed an accusatory finger in my direction. “And you, of all people, should agree with me, Lotto.”
“I do,” I murmured. “I know how you feel, Bones, but—”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He threw up his arms. “So, you’ll just let Dad die to stay in some useless tournament that is barely tolerating us?”
“No, I’ll stay in the tournament to let Pops die with some fucking dignity!” I shouted.
Frankie, Ari, and Bones all reeled back. I almost never lost my cool. But months of being on edge, on losing control, on losing one of my father figures—it was all too much. Anger pounded against the wall keeping my mouth shut and my words spilled over like a waterfall.
“I love Pops just as much as you. Just as much as any of us. But he went to Mexico City for a reason, Bones. He wants to go out on his own terms. He wants to see you win.” I grabbed the collar of his shirt and shook him with the same anger wracking my body. “That’s all he ever talks about in our calls. You in the ring. You back to winning. You making him proud.”
“Really…?” Bones sighed.
“He loves you. So fucking much. Do you know what he said to me after I called about his package? ‘I don’t want you guys to see me like this. I want you to remember me in my glory days.’ To the last damn second, Pops only thought of you. Of us. For fuck’s sake, Bones, let him have his dying wish.”
Tears shone in Bones’ eyes. His body went limp, and he folded back into his chair. I ran a hand over my chin to contain my anger. Ari exchanged a look with Frankie and sighed.
“I’m so sorry. This is my fault. I should have mentioned it earlier.”
“It’s not,” Bones said weakly.
“But it is. Your dad left you in my care. I didn’t want to break your heart. I wanted you to keep fighting.”
“Our hearts are going to be broken either way.” I glanced down at Bones. “Tell them about the package.”
He shook his head.
Frankie crossed his arms. “What package?”
Bones sighed. “Dad sent me a package from an estate lawyer. Had a bunch of stuff inside. I think… he’s ready to go.”
A blanket of cold settled over us. Now that my anger had subsided, all that was left was a hollowness in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m really sorry, Bones. You, too, Lotto.”
“Frankie apologizing. Now I’ve seen everything.” I snorted.
“Why don’t we ask your dad to sponsor our gym?”
Bones sat up a little straighter. “He mentioned winning at the casinos, but I don’t know if he has that kind of cash. And we’re gonna need a lot of it to convince the Circuit.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to ask.” I set a hand on his shoulder. “He wants to support you in any way he can.”
“Sure. We’re planning a call at the end of the week.”
Ari sighed and scrubbed at her face. “That would make this whole Scotty mess so much easier.”
I scratched at my scalp. “We should probably call River back in.”
“If he hasn’t left us.”
“I’m pretty sure he hasn’t. This place is still standing. It’s not burnt down yet.” Bones shook his head.
“Yet,” Frankie added.
“I’d still let him cool off. He knows how to get his way. Trust me, when he—”
Ari paused. Her cheeks colored. Frankie’s eyes narrowed and he set his hands on his hips.
“When he did what, Ari?”
I stared at her. What other secrets was she keeping from us?