Page 3 of My Undead Heart

“Dude, you’re broke.” My brother slams the ledger on top of his desk, scattering a few loose papers across the polished mahogany surface.

My senses are heightened but my gaze remains trained on the bound black book in which I record my livelihood. I breathe in the stale air, cooled by the constant hum of air conditioning so the building remains a consistent sixty-eight degrees. Comfortable. Only the coolness tightens my already anxious nerves. I’d rather be covered in my own sweat, working my muscles until they are loose and limber. Ready for battle. Ready to fight for what’s mine.

Only this isn’t an opponent I can take down with skill and training. It’s a simple matter of math. Black and red. “I know things are tight, but—”

“No, Matt. You’rebroke-broke. Like, I’m not exactly sure what you were thinking, broke. You needed a loan yesterday, broke. Won’t make next week’s payroll, broke.”

“I get it. Jesus. Fuck.” Blowing out a breath from the pit of my belly, I rake my fingers through my overgrown hair, tuck it behind my ears, and stroke the scruff that fills my face.

Danny cocks one eyebrow. “What are you going to do about it?”

A huff of humorless laughter pushes through my lips and I meet his stare. “You’re the accountant. Aren’t you supposed to answer that question for me?” My mouth pulls into a smile I don’t really feel.

Danny’s concern only grows. “Matt—”

“I know. Fuck.” I grip the arms of my chair. I have to face the reality I’ve been avoiding for months. No matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to accept the truth. I can’t even speak the words.

Danny does it for me. “You’re not gonna close the gym, are you?”

I shake my head because that can’t be it. I won’t go down without a fight. “No. I won’t do that. I’ll figure something out.”

“You could always ask Pop.”

“Don’t.” I shake my head. We may share the same father, but my little brother will never understand the relationship I have with dear ol’ Dad. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever ask for a hand up from that man.

“Well, I wouldn’t have suggested it unless things are that bad, but we’ve already assessed the state of your finances.” The tight line of his lips pulls into a smile and I have to laugh because, fuck, what else can I do?

“I can fight again.”

“No.” He shakes his head adamantly. “You’re not doing that. Not after last time.”

I know he’s right, but still. “I just need something to get me by until next month. My guy Xavier, he’s a beast. You should see him, Danny. This fight I have him in ... That’s it. After that, he’s going straight to the top. I guarantee it.”

Two years ago I stepped away from the octagon after repeated knocks to my head forced my decision, but I made peace with it. After a six-month stint of saving, planning, investing, and working more than just my muscles, I opened South Side Gym. The gym is my baby, and focusing on others’ training ignited a passion I didn’t know existed. Xavier’s an eighteen-year-old from a rough part of town, but with the right coaching and mentorship I believe he has what it takes to go further than I ever did.

“I’m proud of you.” Danny nods. “What about calling Uncle Jimmy?”

I groan because I really would rather not. “He’s almost as bad as Pop!”

“Close, and I see your point, but he does own a few legit businesses.” Jimmy’s mixed up in several shady business ventures. Mostly gambling related, or at least we assume, but no one dares to ask. But like any good hustler in south Chicago, he runs a few fronts.

“I guess I could see if he needs a temp for his painting crew.”

My brother smiles. “See! I’m full of great ideas.”

“You’re the best.” I laugh and shake my head. “Got any more in that Northwestern educated brain of yours?”

He chews on the end of his pen a few seconds and pops his brows with his next words. “Hey, what about Zig’s place? He’s always looking for help.”

“Work at the bar?” I tap my toes across the sleek hardwood floor of my brother’s posh uptown office and run my fingers over the whiskers that cover my face. I should shave soon. They’re getting a little long, even for me. “You think he’d be up for that?”

“Sure. Business is booming. We went down there last Saturday and it was insane. He mentioned bringing in more security. Hell, I know you put in fifty-hour work weeks as it is, but it’s not like your gym’s open on Friday and Saturday nights. He might even need help Sundays. It’d get you cash to get by.”

“I’ll hit him up. Thanks, Danny.” Standing, I grab the ledger from his desk and tuck it under one arm while I reach out to shake my little brother’s hand with the other.

His brow pulls to a frown as he releases my hand. “I’d loan you the money, but Nikki would kill me.”

A deep chuckle escapes my lips when I think of my brother’s girlfriend. She’s a handful, a bit of a diva in my opinion, but she seems to make him happy. That is, when she’s not driving him insane. “No worries. I didn’t ask. You have your own life to live. My problems are mine.”

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