Page 41 of Dirty Little Sins

Anthony rolled his eyes. "You get paid no matter what happens. Besides, you didn't really believe you achieved that stellar record all on your own, did you?" Anthony leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Nothing important in this town happens without our stamp of approval and whether you knew it or not, your career has progressed as it has due to our involvement. Now, it's time for you to transition and on your way out we need you to set up your replacement. It's how this shit works after all. I also shouldn't have to warn you what happens to soldiers who choose to defy me." He started to walk away and stopped, turning back. "Oh and that last fight that you barely won? You're welcome," he rasped.

With that, Anthony brushed past me and disappeared from the gym along with his two foot soldiers while leaving me stunned and angry beyond words. The gall of that bastard. To say I needed to punch something was a massive understatement. I wanted to go after that fucker and pulverize him.

"What the hell was that all about? Those guys looked like bad news. Did you get yourself in some kind of trouble while you were away?"

I took a deep breath and exhaled before I answered. I had certainly stepped into something. Although it wasn't me who was going to be learning any lesson. However, I had to get nosy Bennie out of this and fast. It was one thing to take risks with my life, and another to risk others.

"I may end up regretting going to find my father. But whatever he thinks is going to happen between us, he's wrong. I'm washing my hands of him as of now." That probably wasn't technically true, but I sure as fuck wouldn't be throwing my fight no matter what bullshit they pulled. It was time I reminded "my father" exactly who was in charge of my life.

"I knew you going off halfcocked around the world was a bullshit idea. When are you ever going to start listening to me?"

I shook my head. "I listen all the time. When I agree with what you say."

"Excuse me, Mr. Cabrini. Sorry to interrupt, but I need a word with you."

I turned around to find yet another outsider standing in my gym. "Jesus, what is this Grand Central today? Whoever the hell you are I don't have time. I'm in the middle of something. What the hell, Bennie? We need to up the security around here."

The new face smirked and reached into his blazer pocket to pull out his wallet or maybe a gun I presumed. That was kind of how this day was going so far. He flipped it open and my day went from bad to worse when I saw his badge.

Shit.

What the hell was going on?

"No security necessary. I just have a few questions for you if you don't mind."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "About what? I'm about to step into the ring and I need to get my head into it before I do."

"I won't take long. Definitely don't want to mess with your upcoming fight. I'm looking forward to it, in fact." He stepped forward and held out his hand. "Rockford Reed by the way. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

A stabbing pain struck behind my right eye as I took in this new complication. I had no idea what the hell had brought the FBI to my doorstep, but I could guarantee I wasn't going to like it.

Fuck.

Chapter Seventeen

ZIA

The morning after spending the night with Vincent, I'd awoken to an empty bed and a note telling me that he'd had to leave before dawn for the gym and that his house and driver were at my disposal.

I don't know what I'd expected from him after falling asleep on him like I had. But I couldn't help feeling both disappointed and kind of grateful that I could avoid any awkward morning after moments.

Spending the night at his house curled up at his side felt far too intimate in the light of day. Something I'd drag out and dwell on when I had more time.

Unfortunately, as much as I'd wanted to explore this incredible house I had too much on my plate to linger. I returned to the hotel to find both my assistant Julie and Nina waiting for me. Both women gave me that knowing look as I walked into my suite with the same clothes I'd worn the day before.

"Don't say a word." I rushed past both of them and disappeared into my closet to find something more appropriate before the camera crew arrived. I didn't need to advertise my walk of shame to everyone.

"They're going to be here any second," Julie offered from the doorway. She then proceeded to run down my schedule for the day that was going to keep me running like a madwoman until well into the night.

"What's Nina doing here this morning? I could have used a heads up on that."

"I can hear you, you know." She called from just outside the door. "Your director asked me to be here this morning so he can go over the show notes with all of us. Since filming is going to take place all over the hotel, I've been asked to be here each morning for the meeting. That way I can help coordinate whatever is needed in the way of access, I guess without making too much of an impact on our guests."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude." I poked my head out of the closet to face her. "I might be a little bit of a control freak when it comes to my work. I like to plan in advance for everything."

I heard Julie choke from inside of the closet, which I promptly ignored. She'd been around long enough to be used to me and my preferences by now. And it wasn't like her not to give me a heads up.

"No worries. I get it—" Before she could finish, the doorbell to the suite rang and I groaned knowing I was out of time.

---