Page 123 of Cruel Legacy

“You shouldn’t be jumping into my fights, Coach. It could be dangerous.”

“I’m not jumping in.” He releases me and moves in front of me. “I’m preventing them, and you shouldn’t be fighting on campus, LaReaux.”

“Yeah, but something tells me I’ll never get her in the ring, so I have to bring the ring to her.”

He stares down at me, and I straighten to make myself taller. His lips twitch like he’s amused. Fuck him. I know I’m intimidating.

“Which brings me to the next point. You’re done fighting for Syl.”

I laugh at the absurdity. I’m gonna take on more fights so I can replace the shit those pink sparkling bitches destroyed.

He tips my chin up to look at him. “Wipe that look off your face.”

“What look?” I blink innocently up at him.

“The one that says you’re planning to break my rules again.”

“I’m not…” He gives me a look that makes me wanna punch him in his stupidly handsome face. Why are all the assholes so fucking panty meltingly hot, and off limits?

He’s still gripping my chin when he asks, “The rules, Thea. What are they?”

“Those bullshit rules only apply in class.”

“For you, they apply,always.”

I’m not going for that shit. He’s not gonna control my life in and out of class. “Sorry, Wolfie. I don’t agree to those terms and you can’t enforce that shit.”

“Thea, if you’re fighting for Syl on one of the later fights, I already know what you’re capable of. To let you fight a student on campus would be irresponsible of me.”

“You don’t know shit. You have me doing catfights and slap boxes in class.” I demonstrate a move by slapping at his hand. It doesn’t phase him.

“I know Syl, and I know how she operates her business.”

I shrug. Maybe he does. He was there the night the cops raided Club Dredd. They didn’t stop anything. Syl just moved locations, and I’m still on the roster. I’m done with this conversation and after my run in with Eloise, going to The Rock has lost its appeal. Maybe I’ll go to the boardwalk and eat at the diner.

“You will not be fighting on campus, or for Syl. It’s done Thea.”

Now he’s pissing me off. “Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can’t do? Fuck you, Deacon.”

Instead of getting mad, he smiles at me. “You’re gonna do exactly what I say. You know why?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Because it’s whatIwant and you doing what I want, gets you whatyouwant.”

What is it with all the men thinking they can boss me around and make me comply with their idea of who I should be and what I should do?

“What is it that youthinkI want?”

“A trainer.”

Okay, now he’s got my attention. “You’ll sign my recommendation so I can train at a gym off campus?”

“No, LaReaux. I’ll train you myself.”

I did my research. His is the best gym in town. He turns out top-notch athletes. Winners. The best.

I have to give up fighting for Syl, and lose out on all that cash, but I get to train and maybe he’ll set up some legitimate bouts for me. At a minimum, I’ll get to scrimmage against some amazing fighters. Shit, he’s got me.

The look in his eyes says he knows I’m about to cave. No self-respecting woman caves this fast. I’m gonna hold out, maybe get him to sweeten the deal.

“Don’t fight it, sweetness. You know you want to get all hot and sweaty with me. I’ll give you everything you want, and all you have to do is promise no more fights.”

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