Page 49 of Resisting Royal

CHAPTER 24

ROYAL

After leaving Bianca at lunch, I stewed on my annoyance all afternoon. The nerve of her coworker giving her flirty eyes while dismissing my existence. Not that he knew I existed at the time, but that wasn’t even the point. The fact remained he was checking out what belonged to me.

Unacceptable.

The only choice she gave me was to break my vow and show her just how much she was mine. She played into it like she was meant for the damn role. Her body melted to mine in an instant, the soft sounds she made in her throat only confirming that although she might fight me in spirit, she would always belong to me.

It was really that simple.

What I wanted, I always got. Bianca was no exception. Sure, I only marginally wanted her when her smart, sassy mouth was talking down to me while I was in the dentist's chair. But, the very moment when I realized I could have her, the moment I saw that sweet girl from the old photo was, in fact, the very woman who had my blood boiling and my annoyance rising . . . well, there was no other option. She. Was. Mine.

Troy cleared his throat, reminding me that my thoughts should be on business, not foolish daydreams about the woman worming her way into my life. I turned my head back to him. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

He gave me a fuck off stare, but he was too polite to voice it, at least to me anyway. “I said, the buy-in for tonight’s fight is huge. The newest fighter really hit it big with his impressions.”

I bit my lower lip, thinking about it. “Do you think we should keep Ruben on permanently?”

“I don’t know about permanently, but definitely give him a few more tries in the ring before we decide.” Troy crossed his arms and leaned back.

I nodded my head. “Fair enough. Have him sign for . . .” I paused, thinking about it. “Have him sign for three more fights with the possible option to extend the contract if we see fit. Give him temporary access to the gym as well, pending the extended contract.”

Troy looked down at his phone and typed out a few lines. “Done. Bianca’s father’s situation?”

I internally cringed. “I talked it over with her and she does not want the money lent.”

Troy flinched. “Should we offer him a job? I don’t want to imagine the consequences if he does owe someone that much cash.”

“Offered and denied,” I informed him. I shook my head, unable to process how someone as perfect as Bianca had come into this world and been raised by such a low life as Frank. Maybe he wasn’t always this bad. Perhaps it was always there and just got progressively worse, but the fact remained, Bianca was too good for her parentage.

Troy clicked something then moved down his list. “Yeah, that was a fucking awful decision. The rental agency sent a message to inform you that Bianca’s property has renters lined up.”

“Good. That was surprisingly fast.” But, then again, when you’re the boss, people listen and things get done.

“They are usually proficient.” He looked down at his list again. “I got a call from Shaw this morning asking if you still plan to drop in at the ranch this weekend. I told him I would get back to him this evening. I can’t make it, but I assume you can do fine with the boys yourself.”

I chuckled, remembering the last time Roman invited me to their compound and all the havoc the two of us got into. Just like when we were children, Shaw had to intervene and cut us off from the alcohol. Good times, always good times. “You have some alcohol-induced fun one time, and you never live it down.”

“Some? If I recall a whole building was burnt to the ground, a dog got stuck in a tree, and somehow . . . you still managed to wake up with not one. . . but two ladies in a barn.”

To be fair, it wasn’t all my fault. Roman had said they planned to destroy the building anyway, so the fire was his idea. As for a dog, well . . . that’s a whole different story. “I’ll be there.”

“I didn’t think you would miss it. Remember, this is business-related. Don’t get too sidetracked.” I felt like a child being scowled by a parent.

“Me, sidetracked?” His look told me he wasn’t convinced. “Plus, Bianca will be there to babysit me.”

“Someone has to.” He typed something on his phone. “I confirmed with Shaw.” His phone buzzed. “He said he is hiding the matches.”

Fuckers. Always such a buzzkill. His eyes narrowed as if he could read my thoughts. “Lastly, there is a debt slightly overdue from McAllister. What do you want to do?”

I blew out a breath while I thought about it. “Send him a two-week extension.”

“You’re going soft,” he accused.

“I’ve had a long day,” I defended.

He made a note and put away his device. “Use whatever excuse you want; the truth is you’re tired.”

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