Page 26 of Everest

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I say, clutching my chest when I see Tony’s angry face through my window.

“You two get your asses to the club now,” he orders, then walks away before we can argue.

Journey slumps in her seat. “Shit.”

The ride to Pink Paradise remains silent because we know we are in for an ass-chewing from Tony. That is precisely what Journey and I get when we walk into his office. We sit across from his desk and listen as he lectures us.

“Did I or did I not tell you two to let me handle this situation with Amara?”

I go to open my mouth when he points a finger at me. “Zip it. You’re lucky those men didn’t spot you. Damn lucky because I clocked your asses the second you turned onto the street.”

“Really?” Journey scrunches her nose. “We didn’t see you.”

“That’s because I know hownotto get caught.” Tony grinds his jaw. Then he turns his attention toward me and continues, “I brought you in on this because I trusted your judgment. Was I wrong about you?”

I sit up straighter in my chair and narrow my eyes. “No. But Amara is our friend. If she’s in trouble, I will do whatever I can to help. And if I’m to be her legal counsel, I need to be involved.”

Tony’s demeanor diminishes slightly at my declaration. “I understand, but you and I both know what you did tonight was not smart. If something happened to you, that would be on me.”

I blow out a breath and rub my temple. “I can admit that what Journey and I did was reckless. It’s just… what if something terrible has happened to Amara?”

“I’m on it, London.” Tony holds my stare. “I have a guy following a lead as we speak. We will find her.” There is no mistake in Tony's tone. “Now, I want you two to go home and stay there,” Tony finishes.

9

EVEREST

After making a quick trip to my apartment, I return to today’s event, the grand opening of the youth center’s boxing gym.

The hum of laughter and music rolls down the block. It feels like the whole damn neighborhood showed up. The place is packed with vendors and families. A bounce house sits in the back corner, already leaning like it’s taken a few too many roundhouse kicks from sugared-up kids.

It's a hell of a sight.

The club and our community showed up in full force today. It’s good to have people willing to protect, build, and give back. This gym will become a good foundation, a shot at something better for this community and kids who often don’t get second chances or even first ones.

The new sign on the building now reads Hope Youth Center & Boxing Gym in bold letters. Seeing it sends a swell of pride through my chest. This is what all those long nights were for, and it feels damn good to see it finally come to life.

The women are in full force today, too. Luna and Tequila are set up inside the gym with their little ones, selling raffle tickets to win family fun packs to the Audubon Nature Museum and Zoo,as well as a family movie night fun pack. Across the parking lot, near the bounce house, Piper is helping a local animal shelter with adoptable dogs, while nearby, Jo and her daughter, Sawyer, are busy face painting with Payton and Josie helping. My gaze drifts to where Promise, Sadie, and Ruby are stationed, serving up all the grilled food being cooked by Riggs, Nova, and their old man.

My gaze drifts, searching for one particular person. Then I catch a glimpse of her and fight back a smile that she is here. My eyes stay locked on London as she smiles warmly at an elderly man waiting for a food tray.

I tear my eyes off London and glance down just in time to see a wild-eyed kid sprinting past, shrieking joyfully.

“Watch where ya goin’, Jacob, and keep the water wars in the field,” Charlie bellows across the lot at the kid, towing a wagon full of ready-to-use water balloons.

“Sorry,” a kid shouts as he bolts, his hands wrapped around a couple of water balloons.

I chuckle as Charlie trudges past me while Kiwi approaches.

“You’re fightin’ a losin’ battle, mate,” Kiwi says, then takes a bite of the mustard-smothered hot dog in his hand.

“What are you goin’ on about?”

Kiwi points across the parking lot. “London.”

I grunt, saying nothing but not denying it either. It’s not like I can argue because he’s right. And the battle has amplified since discovering London’s little secret.

Nova strides over, holding out a couple of cold beers. “The place looks damn good, brother.”

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