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Without waiting for an answer, he calls out, telling everyone he sent away a few minutes ago that they can come back.
Johnny sits next to me on the couch, putting his hand on my thigh. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?” His question starts out as a remark but turns into a question. He doesn’t relax until I smile in reassurance.
The more I see out of Johnny, the more I think he actually does care about me. Except, he only has so much capacity for caring.
Once everyone is settled, Big Daddy K says, “Reynolds is right about one thing. We’ve been having this territory fight with Fonz for too long. We’re each undercutting the other. It’s time we settle this for good.”
Johnny smirks. He’s excited about the prospect. Obviously.
It’s Oscar who asks, “How do you propose we do that? We try to get her shit shut down and then she retaliates.”
Big Daddy K’s gaze lands on me. He licks his lips, and an unsettling feeling falls on my shoulders. “I’m wondering if Fonz will settle this with a good old-fashioned fight. If she wins, we give up the fight ring in the Heights.”
“What?” Johnny explodes. “We built that business.”
Big Daddy K holds up a hand. “If we win, we keep the rights to the Heights’ ring, and she has to move to another city.”
Johnny swallows. Indecision marking his face. “It’s a lot to lose. We built the Crew on that fight ring.”
“We have other ventures that can sustain us if we lose it,” Big Daddy K says. “But the point is to win, too. If we win, she’s out of our hair for good.”
“So, a fight?” Oscar says, musing. “Our best against her best?”
Big Daddy K nods, crossing his legs. There’s an air of mischief underneath all his actions though, making me feel like this is bigger than what he’s just said. Also, he keeps staring at me which is unnerving as fuck.
“Who will fight for us? Brawler?” Johnny asks. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s already two steps ahead. He may be Big Daddy K’s son, but he’s earned the spot he has. He shakes his head. “He’s not even a part of the Crew though.”
“I had someone else in mind,” Big Daddy K says. He turns his gaze to me and understanding punctures the brief oblivious bubble I was living in. Of course. This is his way of vetting me.
“I’ll do it,” I say automatically.
“What? Fuck no,” Johnny says.
At the same time, Oscar says, “That’s not a good idea.”
I can’t see Magnum, but Big Daddy K glances over my head, lips thinning. “I was actually thinking exactly that. Kyla up against whoever Fonz chooses.”
Johnny gets to his feet. “Fuck no. Have you seen her fighters? They’re huge. They’ll fucking destroy her. Dad…” he begs.
I gaze at him, eyebrows pulling in.Jeez. Thanks for the fucking vote of confidence.
“I’m with Johnny,” Oscar says.
I turn to glare at him. “Fuck you.”
Big Daddy K smirks.
Johnny turns away from him and addresses me. “Hey. I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Didn’t you tell me she was the best fighter you’d ever seen?” Big Daddy K interjects, a small smile over his lips. He’s enjoying this.
“She is.”
“So, what’s the problem? In the Crew, we use everyone and everything at our disposal.”
“The problem is, she’s mine!” Johnny growls.
Big Daddy K’s eyes narrow. “If she’s yours, she’s a part of the Crew which means she can be used for Crew business. This is Crew business. She has a chance to do something for us we’ve wanted desperately for a long time.”