Page 6

Chapter

Six

FRANKIE

I didn’t know what was worse: the realization that River was right or the urge to punch Lucien Fritz so hard, he went crying back to daddy.

This was supposed to be a preliminary meeting, and he was already walking around Smiley’s like he owned the place. Slick suit, even slicker Cartier on his wrist, hair so slick I could go surfing on it. He was like a mini-Troy Godwin, if Troy was four inches shorter and missing half his dick. Lucien didn’t have Troy’s swagger either—all of his comments and jabs were like sucker punches to the face, rather than a honey-coated jab to the stomach.

“When’s the last time you updated the logo?” Lucien asked me as he picked up one of our newly made hand towels Ari had displayed on the front desk. “A literal smiley face? What is this, fifth grade?”

“That’s not our official logo,” Ari explained for the third time. Her words fell on deaf ears—again—because Lucien was barely paying attention to her.

Personally, that pleased me. I didn’t want his eyes on my girl.

Professionally? I was two steps away from reading this asshole the riot act.

“If you have any other complaints, take it up with the labor board,” I spat and ripped the towel from his hands. “These were made as a favor from an old friend.”

“Or an enemy playing a prank on you.” Lucien’s lips curled. “You seem to have a lot of those hanging around.”

River’s laugh carried over the entire room. On request, he, Teo, and Bones had a small three-man scrimmage to show off their skills. Nothing like the fight for our application video, but something to tide Lucien over regardless. Now he hung over the top rope of our ring, with an amused smirk.

“Not the only one here with enemies, Lucien. How’s business going? Lose any more bets lately?” He winked, and I swore Lucien’s neck tinted slightly pink.

“Business is going fine, which is none of your concern,” Lucien snapped. He fixed a few loose dirty blond strands back into his swamp of hair. “We’re looking to expand across the West Coast and open a few more stores. Which is why I am willing to pay handsomely to sponsor your gym.”

“So basically we need to kiss your ass?” Bones asked. When I shot him a glare, he grinned apologetically. “Er, I mean, win for you?”

“Either or.” Lucien eyed the towel I held again. “Win and get One, Two, Hook back on the map as Seattle’s top sports goods store, expand across the coast, and get an extra cut of profits. It’s that easy.”

“Sounds pretty easy for someone not in the ring.” Teo took off his gloves and held them to his bare chest. “But what do I know?”

I snorted. Hell must have frozen over if Teo and I agreed on something.

“And if we lose?” Lotto leaned his elbows across the front desk, his chiseled jaw strained so tight, it could probably cut glass. “I’ve been hearing some big names are getting picked up.”

Lucien’s brow furrowed. “Teams haven’t been chosen yet. We’re to turn in contracts by the end of next week.”

“Doesn’t mean teams aren’t getting picked up beneath your nose.” Lotto drifted his gaze over to me. “Ka-yo joined up with Beatbox Fitness. And Firebrand went with Base One Gym, and he’s bringing Meteor with him.”

Fuck, Firebrand and Mitchell “Meteor” Swanson on the same team? Base One Gym was about to be stacked. Their third could be a literal elementary school kid and they’d likely still win. Those two were nightmares in the ring. They only pulled back because it got “boring” to continuously be on top. Good for me, because a beating from Firebrand had left me dazed for days, even before my injuries.

But the Circuit was offering a new kind of crown, and people like Firebrand and Meteor weren’t simply going to sit around with glory on the line.

River whistled. “Like I said. Absolutely fucked. We might as well call it now.”

“That’s one team out of tens of them in the Circuit,” Ari argued. “Even if we lose a handful, if we’re on top?—”

“It better not be a handful,” Lucien sneered.

Ari’s face darkened but she didn’t continue. I stepped to her side and grabbed her elbow, squeezing. Mostly to be comforting. But also because if I didn’t do something with my hands, I was going to slap this rich bitch silly.

“Even Muhammad Ali lost five times in his career. Shit happens. If you’re expecting perfection, you better call up your plastic surgeon again and tell him your nose job is slipping. That’s the only way you’re going to find any,” I growled.

Lucien glared at me, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He looked like a schoolyard bully rather than any big, scary businessman.

“I’m not expecting perfection. I’m expecting hard work and loyalty.”

“And we’re expecting respect, which you clearly have none of, or you wouldn’t be talking down to the owner of this damn place.”

“Frankie, it’s fine.” Ari sighed.

“Definitely not,” River yelled from the ring and raised one of his gloves. “If you want to see hard work, Lucien, step into the ring with me. I’ll show you what ‘talk shit, get hit’ means.”

“Or me.” Bones grinned and swung his arm over River’s shoulder. “How about it? Want to make us earn our money?”

“Not with you two, but I think I can take on that one.” Lucien pointed to Teo, his rings glinting in the light.

“Then step in and try, shortstuff,” Teo mocked. “I’ve taken shits that are longer and bigger than you.”

“Can you guys knock it off?” Ari yelled. When she frowned, she looked more like me than I did. “We’re not here for a dick-measuring contest. We’re here for business.”

“I’m glad one of you understands how it works.” Lucien sneered at the rest of us. “I have half a mind to find someone else to support.”

“Then go ahead.”

“I think you might need us more than we need you.” Lotto wasn’t even looking at Lucien but clicking around on his phone. “Have a second sponsor asking for a meeting.”

Something flashed across Lucien’s face as quick as a KO punch. He took out his phone and shot off a quick text before stuffing it back into his pocket.

“No, you don’t. Or at least you won’t.” Lucien’s smirk grew when his eyes landed on Lotto. “Expect a call canceling that meeting.”

“Are you threatening us?” I was no stranger to threats in and out of the ring, but this took the cake. What was his end game? Why did he have such a hard-on for Smiley’s?

“Would I really threaten my meal ticket?”

“Yeah,” Bones called from the ring.

Ari shushed him. “Not threaten. Just make it so no one else decides to sponsor us.” She narrowed her eyes, mirroring my expression. It was almost uncanny how alike we looked. “The question is why.”

“I already told you.” Lucien shifted on his feet, the first sign of a shittily-hidden lie. The second was his nervous smile. “Expansion across the coast. I have big dreams and need a big team to fill those shoes.”

“Beatbox Fitness is down the way.” I shrugged. “Could ask them.”

“I have no idea who they are. I want proven champions.”

“So you did see us at Heathens Hollow.” Lotto hummed, his lips pulling into a frown. Even he looked like me today. What, was this ‘look like Frankie’ day or something? “That’s probably why you want us so badly.”

“You can take it or leave it. Though you won’t want to leave it. If I walk out of this door without the promise of a contract, you won’t be picked for the Circuit at all.”

“Sounds like a threat to me,” River hollered, shrugging when Lucien glared at him. “Don’t take out your small dick energy on me, Lucien.”

“I’ll cry into my money about it—the same money I’ll save by sponsoring someone else. Choose.”

Ari looked like she would rather dig her own grave than be subject to Lucien Fritz’s whims for the next few months. I was right there with her. This one meeting was already a damn headache.

But if his threats were true, and he blocked us from getting any other sponsor, we wouldn’t be able to join the Circuit. We’d be stuck relying on Troy Godwin and also be without River. There was no way he would stay with us if we went back to Heathens Hollow—the clause in his contract stipulating “fair” and “legal” means spelled that out pretty clearly.

Basically, we were on the ropes and relying on a little weasel to bail us out.

Fuck me.

“Can we—” Ari blew out air from her nose and glanced at Lotto, who shook his head slightly, his sign of shit being no good. She sighed and turned to our three fighters in the ring. “What do you think?”

“I think our opponent isn’t in the Circuit at all, but standing there in an ill-fitted suit.” River shrugged. He pushed off the ropes. “But you’re the boss.”

“We’ll do whatever you choose, Ari.” Bones glared at Lucien when he added, “Since you’re the owner and the one we answer to.”

“I’m always outvoted anyway, so why are you even asking me.” Teo smacked Bones’ arm with one of his gloves. “I just follow whatever this big lug says so he doesn’t kick my ass.”

Even with the team’s agreement, Ari didn’t look convinced. She had the weight of more than six people’s livelihoods on her shoulders, and not just that but her father’s legacy, too. It was a big burden to carry and one she couldn’t carry on her own.

I set my hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Let me.”

She visibly relaxed, shoulders sagging and tension evaporating. Her nod was choppy yet grateful. If shit went south, I could take the blame for this one. It was my way of protecting her and the Smiley’s crew. I’d learned my lesson last time not to put my body on the line to keep us safe. But my wallet, my reputation, my ass? Those were fair game.

“I turned to Lucien and snapped my fingers. “You got a contract ready?”

“Sure do. Ready to sign back at my office.”

“Lotto, let’s go.” If anyone knew fair contracts, it was Lotto. He nodded and rounded the front desk to join me. I glanced back at Bones, River, and Teo. “Keep practicing. Ari, watch over them. We’ll be back soon.”

“You better be,” Ari mumbled and held out her hand to Lucien. “Nice doing business with you.”

Lucien looked down at her hand but didn’t take it. “Pleasure.”

I grabbed Lucien’s elbow and jerked his arm forward. “Shake her damn hand, you prick, or you’ll be walking out of here without them.”

“Ow, ow, what the fuck? Is this how you treat your benefactor?”

“You should do what he says.” River laughed so loudly it echoed in the ceiling. “He might not be in the ring anymore, but he could snap you like a twig, shortcake.”

Lucien mumbled something I didn’t catch but shook Ari’s hand. I immediately let go of his arm. Touching him felt gross, like running my hand over a poisonous frog. He was probably as sticky and slimy as one, too. Maybe our next logo could include a dead frog or two.

He straightened up his suit jacket by the lapels. “Then follow me.”

I had to force myself to follow him out Smiley’s front door, repeating to myself that this was all for Smiley’s.

For the Circuit.

For our family.

But that didn’t mean I didn’t imagine Lucien Fritz getting T-boned on the way to his office and somehow getting us out of this.

Guess I still had a little underground mayhem in me after all.