Page 28 of Mean Machine

Anger surged, despite the workout and the training, but Brooklyn managed to only stare at his coach.

“Be careful with that man. He’s very good at getting what he wants.”

“So what are you not telling me? Yesterday the guy was nothing but a paycheque, now he’s what, the fucking mafia don?” And wasn’t that a ridiculous idea. Soft, slightly camp Nathaniel, who used words likeaflutter. “He’s a barrister, Les. Of course he’s good at getting what he wants.”He might even get me my freedom.God, what a thought.

“Fine. But leave me out of it. I can’t afford to make an enemy like Bishop.”

And neither can you, the tone said.

“PACK YOURstuff, convict.”

Brooklyn blinked and sat up. Being woken by Curtis was freaky as hell. “What’s up?”

“Pack your shit. You’re travelling.” Curtis stood on the balls of his feet, rolling back and then forward, the tonfa ready as if he was expecting to have to use it.

With a curse, Brooklyn staggered to his feet. It was early, before six. The other boxers weren’t moving—even if they were no longer asleep. Still almost sleep-blind, he filled the bag with what he owned. Training clothes, some jeans, a couple hoodies, T-shirts, trainers. That was it. He only owned clothes, nothing else. How on earth had he needed half of a two-bedroom flat for his stuff?

He got dressed, moving as quickly as he could because Curtis just oozed malice. Had his contract been sold? Where was Les?

“Move it, convict!” Curtis shouted, and Brooklyn almost jumped. Holy hell, how did this low-rent bully get so under his skin?

“Where?”

“Outside, bitch.” Curtis moved as if to push, but Brooklyn swerved and rushed outside.

There was light at the entrance of the gym. Shadows of men. One of them was Les. Another was Nathaniel.What the fuck?

“Move your arse,” Curtis hissed and thrust him between the men, then stopped himself and smartly snapped to what would have been “attention” in the military. Neanderthal on parade.

“Thank you, Mr Miller,” Nathaniel said, voice frosty.

“Mr Bishop,” Les said, his voice hitching when Nathaniel turned to him rather curtly. “I should come with him. I understand the arrangement, but….”

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. “But you’re irreplaceable?”

“I’ve trained Brook for three years. I got him this far. I—”

“As far as I am concerned, Mr Flackett, you are not irreplaceable. I am grateful for what you’ve achieved, but Brooklyn is no longer a small-timer. He’s about to enter the big leagues. His main shareholders feel they need to furnish him with more support than he’s previously received.”

“Brook, you have to….” Les glanced to Brooklyn as if asking for help. But Brooklyn was stunned. The man who stood there was clearly Nathaniel, but right now, he was a fair bit scarier than Curtis would have been on a drunken rampage.

Brooklyn stared at him and shook his head. He wasn’t getting involved. He didn’t have a fucking clue what was going on. Only that Nathaniel knew “the main shareholders” and right now seemed to speak on their behalf.

“Of course, Mr Bishop. I’m sorry. Curtis, you’ll—”

“He won’t. I have my own guards.” Nathaniel nodded over his shoulder to two bulky men. “Thank you. And apologies for the rude interruption so early in the morning. We have a plane to catch.”

Nathaniel motioned Brooklyn to follow the big guys, one of whom watched him carefully until he’d settled in the black Jag parked outside. The other took Brooklyn’s bag and tossed it in the boot and then opened the door when Nathaniel came to the car. “To the airport, Eric,” he ordered and sat back in the leather seat. He breathed deeply a few times, unbuttoned his jacket, and smiled at Brooklyn. “Sorry for the scene. That wasn’t a very attractive sight.”

“You got rid of Curtis.” Brooklyn stared, turned in his seat, but only Les stood outside the gym, looking after them in the sickly yellow London streetlight.

“Eric is going to be your new guard for the time being.”

The tall blond man lifted a hand off the steering wheel. “Hi, Brooklyn.”

Nathaniel met Brooklyn’s gaze. “As I was saying, apologies for the scene.”

Do what he wants you to do, but be careful.

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