Page 16 of Fight Me Daddy

She placed her hands on her hips and looked at me as if I was the stupidest man alive. "I'm not stripping, dummy. It’s something else." She licked her lips before she scratched her temple. "I heard about these fights from my cousin. All underground stuff, pretty illegal, but you can make some serious money. Especially if someone bets on you."

I stared at her. "What are you talking about, Tal?"

"I'm talking about me entering some fights and you betting a shit ton of money on me," she said. "Come on, it would be easy money and we could save this place! Sam won't risk the underground fights anymore after last time, but I can do it."

She's lost her damn mind.

There was no way in hell I was going to let Tallia do underground fights. Sam had done them for a while and ended up in the hospital with a fracture in his skull. After his fiance banned him from ever doing it again, he stayed away. And for good reason. Underground fights were dangerous, unregulated, and could get you killed.

"No," I said firmly.

Tal groaned. "It would only be a few fights and then I would stop."

My stomach clenched. "It doesn't matter if it's just a few fights. When has anything good ever come out of easy money? Besides, we both know Titan doesn't allow its fighters to participate in that shit. You want to end your career when it's just starting?"

Tallia sighed. "No," she muttered. "I know they're really strict, but I can't see any other way out, Cal." She plopped down in a chair and shoved her fingers through her hair. "This shit is stressing me out. Losing this place would be like losing a piece of me," she said as she laughed dryly and gazed up at me. "I've been here since I was thirteen. Everything I know is this gym and the people who love it here."

I frowned, my heart squeezing in my chest at her distress. "I'm sorry, Tallia. But it's not over. I'm working on getting this place out of the shit as best I can." I rounded the desk and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Let me try to handle this."

She laid her hand on top of mine and squeezed. "It's more than that. I don't want you to lose this place, Calix. You've worked so hard and I can't stand the thought of you suffering."

A lump formed in my throat as I leaned down and pressed my head against Tallia’s. I didn't have words for her and even if I did I didn't trust myself to speak. Tallia didn't need to see me crying like a moron.

When we pulled away from each other, she gazed up at me and the worry in her eyes made me sink. She wiped away a stray tear and sniffled sharply.

"I better get back to work."

"Yeah," I said quietly. I watched as she stood up and headed for the door. "Tal?" When she turned to face me, I gave her a tight smile. "I'm going to fix this, okay? Please, let me handle it."

Tal frowned. "You're not going to try to take all of this on yourself, are you? I mean, you should let us help if we can."

"I know," I said with a nod. "I just have one more question. What were those fights your cousin was talking about? I'd like the details."

"Oh no," she said quickly. "If I can't do it, neither can you!"

I laughed and waved a hand. "No, it's nothing like that! I'm going to keep them on my radar so I can check up on you. And if I find you at one, I'll kick your ass myself."

Tal grinned. "There's that fighting spirit. Fine." She dug into her pocket and laid a card on my desk. "But I won't go. Unless you ask me to."

"Never going to happen," I said as I picked up the card and tossed it into my desk drawer. "Do you mind looking after things out there while I get settled in?"

She nodded. "Sure thing."

"Thanks."

As soon as the door closed, I sat behind the desk and pulled out the drawer. The white card stared back at me, beckoning me to take it. I shouldn't.

I finally snatched it up and examined the details. Tallia shouldn't have to risk her career and her life for my father's sins and the Bianchi's greed. I was going to make things right and pay Gabriele off as soon as possible so he would get off my back.

As long as I don't get caught everything will be okay. I can do this.

All I had to do was attend my regular fights in the evenings and then attend the late-night underground rounds. I stared at the number listed on the card. Before I could second guess myself, I snatched up my phone and dialed the number.

Every time it rang my stomach clenched and my pulse skyrocketed. This is insane. Hang up. Am I any better than my father doing this shit?

I hated to admit it, but I was starting to realize why he had done the crazy things he had. Fear was a powerful motivator. I didn't want to get back into a car with Gabriele and terrorize people. And I didn't want to lose the place that felt most like home.

I don't have a choice.Hope it doesn’t bite me in the ass.

"Hello?"

My heart raced as the deep, accented voice on the other end greeted me. Frozen, I gripped the phone flipping through the pros and cons. Either way, I was about to be put onto a road that might lead to my downfall.

"Do you want something?" the voice asked, annoyed.

"Yeah. I got this number from Tallia. I want to fight."

The words tumbled out of me as I clenched my hand against my thigh and stared ahead. If I didn't find my own way out, I would belong to Gabriele Bianchi forever.

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