Page 7

A s they came through the door, Chipper watched Baylor’s shoulders relax—like coming home. He recognized how much Baylor needed someone to simply take over his life. Otherwise, he would go right back to working himself to death. Chipper dragged Baylor’s suitcases straight to the bedroom and set to unpacking them. Baylor sat on the bed and watched as Chipper found drawers for him and hung clothes in the closet.

“Is this everything you own, or should I hire a moving company?”

Baylor twisted his fingers, but he didn’t argue. “I keep clothes at Bandit’s place, but they stay there for a reason. It’s easier when I’m working in that area. Otherwise, everything I own is in storage.” Baylor visibly swallowed. “I haven’t opened that storage unit in three years and I’m not sure I’ll ever find the strength to…” Baylor swallowed again and looked away. “I can’t look at Micah’s things. His toys.” Baylor blew out a breath. He swiped at his eyes and met Chipper’s gaze. He chuckled. “Why do you want this?”

Even though Chipper knew he was just trying to lighten the mood with the question, he sat next to him and did his best to answer. “You know how I talked to you about losing my title? I’ve never told anyone that.” He looked Baylor’s way and held his stare. “You’re under my skin in a way no one else has ever been.” He shrugged. “If you need me to tell you that every day, I will.”

Baylor leaned his way and leaned his head on Chipper’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Chipper was legit confused by his gratitude. His motives were purely selfish. He couldn’t let Baylor go.

“For being uniquely you. I wish I had known we would end up here. There’s no way I can get tickets to watch your match on this short of notice. I checked,” he added with a laugh.

“Actually, you couldn’t get tickets two minutes after they went on sale. Lucky for you, though, I can bring guests.”

Baylor’s sexy eyes focused on him. “Yay.” The soft cheer didn’t even penetrate Chipper’s brain. Baylor shifted positions. He moved to his knees and straddled Chipper’s lap. Chipper immediately grabbed Baylor’s ass to hold him in place. Baylor wrapped his arms around Chipper’s neck. Chipper’s heart sped. His breathing shallowed. Baylor bumped noses with him before kissing the corner of his mouth. Chipper waited with bated breath. It was worth it. Baylor’s tongue swept over his bottom lip before he nibbled. Chipper’s lips parted. Baylor slipped inside. That was when Chipper took control.

Trusting in their newfound strength after their talk, Chipper rolled. With Baylor beneath him, he took the kiss he wanted. He licked the roof of Baylor’s mouth, teasing him. His cock knocked at the zipper of his jeans, begging to be set free. Chipper ignored it while memorizing every move Baylor’s tongue made.

His phone buzzed. It took Chipper a second to feel it with the way Baylor had his body tingling. With a growl, Chipper sat back on his knees and dug out the device. He planned to turn it off and toss it aside until he saw the name on the face.

“Oh shit. Oh no.”

“What?” Baylor sounded breathless, and he still touched Chipper everywhere he could, but he looked concerned.

“I forgot I have a training session with Maverick today.”

Baylor motioned him away. “Go. This is important.”

His gaze locked on Baylor. He wasn’t ready to let him out of his sight yet. An idea struck. “Come with me.” His hopes immediately died. “It’ll probably be boring, though.”

“No. I’m not worried about that. Let’s go. Just text Maverick and let him know we’re running late. You can blame me, if you want. Tell him I’ve been sick, and you’re scared to let me out of your sight. I held you up by moving slower than usual.”

Chipper shook his head, but he couldn’t stop smiling. Baylor was a dream come true. “Thankfully, he doesn’t live far.” He climbed from the bed and helped Baylor to his feet. Baylor looked beautifully mussed. Chipper fought the urge to blow off Maverick. Baylor had him headed to the door before he could change his mind. They would be great together.

As much as Baylor wanted to jump Chipper and beg him to turn around so they could pick up where they left off, Chipper had made that career admission to him. Baylor couldn’t unlearn that. He cared about Chipper. That meant Chipper’s match mattered to him. He looked forward to seeing Chipper in action.

As Maverick’s house came into view, Baylor sat forward. He had worked with countless wealthy clients, but this was next level. The place was an estate. A compound. It was massive and beautiful. The place overlooked the water and had security out the ass.

“Um, is this champion money?”

Chipper’s laughing gaze swung his way. “I wish. No. Maverick’s husband owns hotel casinos all over the country. He’s the owner of Luna.”

Baylor’s eyebrows rose. Everyone knew who ran those businesses. The mafia. He didn’t know how to feel. Chipper didn’t give him time to think about it too much.

“You know, the Lunas are beautiful. I bet they have some amazing spots for wedding things—like pictures and receptions. Maybe even ceremonies. This is a great way for you to make a powerful connection.”

In a house this huge, Baylor couldn’t imagine running into Maverick’s husband. If so, he didn’t want to hijack Chipper’s practice. “Maybe.”

Chipper kissed his hand. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Of course.” Baylor didn’t even hesitate. “This is important to you. That makes it important to me.”

Chipper cast a loving look Baylor’s way that swelled his throat. He was everything Baylor’s heart couldn’t withstand. Or he wouldn’t be exactly the healing balm Baylor hadn’t wanted. It remained to be seen if there was any hope of fixing Baylor.

Humongous guards, in suits that cost as much as a car, opened their doors. They looked oddly friendly. Each smiled as they headed inside. Chipper held his hand the entire way. Even as accustomed to wealth as he was, Baylor couldn’t stop looking in every direction. The place was gorgeous, but also so much more like a real home than it appeared to be from the outside. He swore he felt the way love lived there.

There was no one around as they came through the door. Chipper made his way through the house like he lived there. Finally, they reached an area that looked exactly like a professional ring. There were mats and even a cage. Workout equipment could be seen through a doorway. A glass case lined one wall. Awards gleamed on the other side. A huge guy greeted them.

He was all smiles as he pulled Chipper into a hug. “There he is. You’re behind on shit. It’s almost like you don’t have an upcoming match.” Despite the lecture, the man’s honey-colored eyes looked much like a loving father’s would. He cared about Chipper.

Baylor spoke up, hoping to take the heat in Chipper’s stead. “That’s my fault. I’ve been sick. He’s been making sure I don’t die.”

Those gorgeous eyes turned his way. Maverick’s smile didn’t waver. “I heard.” He held his hand out to Baylor. “Maverick.”

Baylor accepted the handshake. “Baylor. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Same.” Maverick focused on Chipper. “Get your ass in the ring and warm up. There’re only so many hours in the day.”

Chipper kissed Baylor’s cheek, set his bag aside, and did as told.

Maverick made a sweeping gesture. “There’s a chair over there, if you’d like to watch. If you get bored, feel free to explore.” He chuckled. “If you get lost, you’ll eventually run into someone.”

Baylor’s smile never dimmed. “Thanks, and thank you for understanding. Now, make sure he wins.”

Maverick’s smile grew. “Yes, sir.”

Baylor liked his southern accent. He could listen to it all day, but he wanted Chipper to keep that title even more. He moved to a chair so they could get started. For the first few minutes, Baylor waffled between horrified by the powerful violence and impressed by Chipper’s speed. He had seen Chipper work a bag, but this was different. Maverick was just as fast at blocking, but wow. He would not want to be on the receiving end of it. After the first ten minutes of repeated moves for training purposes, Baylor got a little bored. He had sat still more in the last few weeks than he ever had in his life. Baylor wasn’t used to being still.

Despite Maverick saying he could explore, he hated to be too nosey. He moved to the nearby trophy case. He walked the line, inspecting various awards and belts. A new move caught Baylor’s eye, pulling his gaze back to the cage. Almost too fast for the eye to see, Chipper landed a kick to the head, followed by a back kick on the opposite side. If Maverick hadn’t been one of the best, the move definitely would have taken his head off.

“It’s the trick move they’ve been perfecting for this upcoming fight. If Chipper can land it, he’ll have the match in the bag.”

Baylor turned his head and tried to hide the way the man’s sudden appearance had startled him. He had been too engrossed to hear his approach. “I imagine so. That was impressive, yet terrifying.”

A stoic nod met his words. “This is a brutal sport, but most people don’t realize how much speed, power, and pure talent these men need. Like my husband, Chipper has all those things.” He held his hand out. “I’m Zander.”

Lord. He was beautiful. He was a zaddy. Goddamn. It was obvious Zander was much older than Baylor—likely in his fifties, but wow. Baylor accepted his handshake. “Baylor.”

Zander dipped his chin. His light blue eyes were mesmerizing. His long blond hair tinged with gray caught the light and reflected it. He was expensive and polished. Yet he was also at home. He possessed a relaxed confidence Baylor wished he could achieve.

Baylor forced his gaze away and focused on the trophy case. He needed to find something else for his eyes to do. Thankfully, he spotted a gold medal. “Holy shit. Is that an Olympic medal?” He moved closer.

Zander moved with him. “Yes. Chipper has one too. I’m surprised you haven’t seen it.”

Baylor cocked his head and took a mental tour of Chipper’s home. “You know, I don’t think he has a single thing on display. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t noticed that before.”

“Walk with me.” Zander’s hand landed on the small of Baylor’s back. He allowed Zander to steer him from the room. As they left the workout equipment behind, exiting from a different door than where they entered, Baylor found himself surrounded by a jungle retreat. A waterfall gushed down a rock formation surrounded by lush greenery. It took Baylor a moment to spot the handholds and footholds. It was an obstacle course.

Before he embarrassed himself by exclaiming his shock, Zander snagged his whole attention. “I doubt Chipper’s lack of displays has anything to do with him being humble. He simply has no one to see them.”

Baylor looked his way. He fought the urge to point out that Chipper had him. Baylor understood Zander tried to lend his insight. “He knows absolutely everyone. It’s a little crazy, actually. I’ve never seen anyone be friends with so many people around the country.”

Zander flashed a sad smile. “Knowing people isn’t the same as having people. He meets so many people because he never stops moving. If he stops, then he’ll be forced to face an empty home. That’s a feeling I understand. Silence can be…”

“Soul crushing,” Baylor finished for him. “I know.”

Zander held his stare. He was an odd mixture of scary, deep, and yet soothing. “I know you do. No one steps in my home I don’t know. Since I knew it would only be a matter of time before Chipper brought you here, I had you investigated. Apologies for the intrusiveness, but I don’t have the luxury of being any other way.”

Baylor liked him. He was straightforward. Too few people were. “I’m unbothered. In my profession, as involved as I’ve been with dignitaries and celebrities, I imagine I’ve been investigated so many times, they have a file at the ready somewhere.”

A huge grin lit Zander’s face. “I did receive the information oddly fast.”

Baylor laughed. “Ha. I knew it.” His smile slipped. They had veered off topic and Baylor wanted whatever information Zander had about Chipper. “Chipper is exactly that: a chipper facade. He doesn’t really show what’s behind the mask. I’ve caught glimpses, but I get the feeling he has to hold tightly to that visage. Otherwise.” Baylor shrugged.

Zander nodded. “He’d crack to pieces,” Zander finished for him. He resumed walking and Baylor stayed in step. “You’re the first person he’s ever brought around. It’s obvious you’re special to him.”

Baylor couldn’t help the bright smile. “He’s special to me too. That’s something I never thought I’d say again.”

“That’s good to hear. He needs someone who actually sees him. Like you said, there’s a real person behind the life of the party persona. For all his confidence in the cage, it’s an act outside of it. People gravitate toward him, but only because he’s a giver and people are users. When I learned about you, I hoped—for once—he’d found something and someone real. I see now, he has. He deserves to have someone give him back as much as he’ll put in.” He fell silent for a moment, leaving Baylor with his thoughts. Baylor had to find a way to be better for Chipper. Zander was right. Chipper deserved the world. “I heard you’ve been sick.”

“Yeah.” Even Baylor heard the defeat in his voice. “I’ve never been down this bad. They’re saying something about my GFR and I have to see a nephrologist tomorrow. No matter how much rest I get, I don’t feel any better. It’s been a nightmare.”

“Stay tonight. We have several private quarters. Chipper and you can relax, and I’d love for you to meet with my private physician. He’s one of the best in the world. I feel certain he can put you at ease.”

He didn’t know what to say. Baylor got the feeling he couldn’t say no. He also wasn’t sure he wanted to decline. Someone like Zander would employ only the best of the best. “If Chipper doesn’t mind, then that sounds fantastic. I really appreciate any insight other than the married doctor who tried to pick up Chipper the minute his wife turned her back.”

Zander looked his way, obviously amused. “Don’t stop there. This sounds like a story I need to hear.”

Baylor laughed. He truly enjoyed himself way more than he expected. Without any hesitation, Baylor fell into the story of their disastrous appointment while they toured the house. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon and a stark reminder not to judge. He never expected to meet the head of the Russian mafia. Yet here he was, and the guy was awesome.