“Been talking to Dad about a side hustle. I need the time to research shit and make sure it’s a move I want to make,” I reply.
His expression almost looks hurt. “You’re thinking about leaving?”
“No.” I snort. “What the fuck would you assholes do without me? I’m exploring ways to challenge myself. That’s all.”
He’s silent for a moment. It’s not a lie. I’ve been thinking of starting something of my own. Not that Black and Lock doesn’t pay well, and it keeps me busy enough, but I can’t help wanting something to call my own. Something I might want to share with my sons like Dad has done with us.
When Brax looks like he’s in his feelings, I try to find the words to explain. “Wyatt’s married now. Hell, I think Noah will be next. There are seven of us. If we all have kids do you really see them all peeling into this place to work for dad?” I say.
“Well, yeah. Fuck yeah. Do you know how badass that would be to have our sons all work here? Little fuckers would run the world. Wyatt’s kids are going to be geniuses between him and Nellie.”
“We’d be buying a new office building, cause we’d need a hell of lot more space.”
“I didn’t even know you wanted kids.”
I freeze. To be honest, I don’t know when I started to think about my future and having a family of my own. I mean, it’s been a fleeting thought for some time, but I’ve been planning in my head lately. Thinking about what I want for my future.
It’s her. You know you’ve found her.
I shake the thought away and shrug. “We’re all going to grow up someday, right? Mom and Dad are happy. They have a great life. We’re a part of that.”
“Someone order some fucking lunch. I’m starving,” Ryan calls through the office, cutting off what Brax is about to say.
“Are your mouth and hands broken?” Heather snaps.
“No, but I’ve bought you ingrates lunch every day so far this week. My wallet is closed for the month,” Ry grumbles.
I chuckle. “Order what you want. I’ll pay,” I say.
“In that case, I want two of everything you get, Ry,” Braxton croons and jumps up from my desk to head over to Ryan’s.
I shake my head and go to place my order but my phone rings, drawing my attention. When I see the New York area code I pick up quickly. Roni hasn’t run off since Seattle, but you never know with her.
“Hello.”
“Hey, John. This is Rita,” a familiar voice comes through the line.
Rita Briggs is one of Roni’s trainers. She’s been one of the staff members that have been concerned with whether the program is right for Roni. From the sound of her voice, I’m sure this isn’t a social call. This is about Roni.
“What’s up, Rita? How’s everything?”
She’s silent for a moment. I sit up straighter, tuning out my brothers as they banter and laugh a few feet away. I’m already in the app to get our pilot ready to fly me out.
“I wish I could say great. It’s Roni. Her aggression has gotten worse and now she has shut down on everyone. Including the therapists. She’s not talking. She… she broke one of the other trainee’s arms.”
“Fuck, I’ll be there tonight.”
“Thanks, John. I think she needs a friendly face she trusts. Um… just a heads up. I think she knows you’ve been here without letting her know. Nate thinks that’s one of her triggers.”
I furrow my brows. “How does she know that?”
She releases a heavy breath. “The guy who’s arm she broke. He’s one of the Greek trainees from my uncle. He’s an ass. He was taunting her in the ring. He mentioned you and she snapped.”
I can’t help the smile that comes to my lips. I shouldn’t be smiling but the thought of Roni getting pissed and breaking someone’s arm reminds me of the fire that draws me to her. Enough of this watching from the shadows, it’s time I pay my girl a visit.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Roni
It’s like a storm is building inside me and I don’t know what to do with it. The dreams of my father are haunting me. The cold man and his distant demeanor are constant reminders that I don’t have anyone that cares where I am.
I can’t help wondering if he sold me like many of the others here whose parents traded them for a dollar. Yet my dreams reveal a