Page 63 of Last Round

“I’ll dip into my savings, float us another year. Even you mentioned how Luke is gaining momentum. We don’t need Tony.”

Sean runs his fingers through his hair. “Killian, I can’t let you do that. You’ve put enough of your money into starting the gym and keeping it going. Even though I knew you didn’t want to.” He’s not wrong. I was happy with just the bar. “It needs to thrive on its own.”

“I agree, but I’d rather dip into my personal accounts than train that asshole. Send him back.”

Sean stops me as I’m about to storm out of the office. “His contract, there’s a fee—”

I turn around, glaring at my idiotic best friend. “What fee?”

“Unless the kid drops us, we’ll not only have to pay back the money Gideon has paid upfront, including relocation costs, but an additional fifteen percent.”

“Let me guess: the wholehe fired his trainer and wants youstory was a line of bullshit.”

“I’m sorry, Killian. I didn’t know until I got there and the money… it’s too good. I figured we could handle it.”

“No, you figured thatIcould handle it. Stop sayingwewhen you expect me to be the one to deal with his ass.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It was just everything with the wedding, Jessica, fear over losing the gym… I made a gamble.”

I collapse into the office chair, rubbing my temples. “It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Look, I’ll call Gideon, work something out. I got us into this mess. I’ll figure a way out of—”

“How long is the contract?”

“Just twelve weeks, to help him train for his match. After that, everything will need to be renegotiated. This is a trial period.”

“And the money? How much?”

“Enough that if we don’t renew, we can skate by for at least a year.”

“Fine.”

“Fine?” Sean smiles.

“I’ll put up with the kid.”

“Thank you, Killian. Again, I’m so sorry. When the time is up, it’ll be your call if we renew. I promise. Hey, how about tonight, instead of dinner at my place, we go out? On me?”

“I appreciate the offer, but a home-cooked meal sounds good.” While I’d like to go to the most expensive steakhouse I can find in the cities and leave Sean with the bill, breaking the news about Molly and me is a discussion we need to have in private.

“Okay, rain check.”

“Well, I’m going to get out there, show this kid what it means to be trained at Full KOntact.”

To my surprise, when he returns, Tony’s not only dressed more appropriately but already warming up. We talk for a while about his current regimen, habits, diet. Thankfully whatever chip was on his shoulder is gone. I might not like him personally, but this isn’t about making friends. If he’s receptive to my training and we can work together, that’s all that matters in the long run.

Time flies as we warm up. The front door opens as he’s hitting the bag and the room grows brighter as she enters. Molly smiles when she notices me across the gym, and she gives me a small finger wave. She doesn’t linger and goes straight to her office. As much as I enjoyed all the skimpy clothes, I’m glad she’s toned it down—especially since I know that it wasn’t her style. Each outfit had Bex written all over it, except for the few cruel ones Dani had a hand in. Not that I give a fuck about what she wears; it’s her choice. I just warned her to be prepared for the number of eyes I’d have to gouge out. Now that she’s mine, I won’t let any of those asshole’s eye-fuck her again.

Tony and I take a water break as Sean approaches.

“Tony,” Sean greets. “I’d like you to meet Molly, my sister. She’s also leading our public relations and marketing.” Tony’s gaze darkens as he looks her over and licks his lips. “Molly, this is the new fighter I was telling you about.”

Molly's face turns a shade of white I didn’t think was possible when she looks up from her phone; even her freckles fade away.

“Hello, gorgeous.” Tony takes a hand she didn’t offer him and presses a kiss to the top.

She yanks it back and wipes it on the side of her leggings. Sean frowns but doesn’t say anything,surprising the fuck out of me, because I know my best friend. If any of the other guys pulled that shit, he’d kick their asses. Which confirms this contract he’s buried us with is larger than he’s letting on.

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