Page 40 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

“Thanks, Chloe,” Lucas replies.

As Chloe and I instantly get lost in wedding planning conversation, I can’t help but sneak glances at Lucas every now and then. Seeing the happiness on his face and the way he looks at me makes my heart soar. And as Chloe watches, I can tell she’s keeping an open mind to what is happening between us.

“Alright,” she announces, clapping her hands together again. “Now that we’re all back on the same page, maybe I can sleep again.” She grabs her purse and throws her empty coffee cup in the trash. “Emily, girl’s night out this week. I won’t take no for an answer,” she demands as she barrels out the door, leaving papers flying in her wake.

Chapter Eighteen (Lucas)

The gym pulses with raw energy as Xavier spars with his closest match, Daniel, their bodies moving fluidly across the mat. Sweat drips from furrowed brows as they grapple and twist, each seeking an advantage over the other. I feel the tension in the air, electric and charged, as Emily stands beside me, her eyes locked on the fighters and her fingers tapping against her thigh.

With the gentle sway of the gym lights overhead, we watch from the edge of the mat as Xavier shifts position with Daniel, his strength evident in his bulging biceps, making him a formidable opponent.

With a quick move, Xavier sweeps Daniel’s defenses aside and slides an arm under his neck, while his other arm wraps around to secure the hold, cutting off the blood flow to the brain. When Xavier executes the move, it’s a thing of lethal beauty, a seamless flow of power and precision.

My heart leaps—that’s the move that’s going to win us notoriety in Dubai.

Emily gasps beside me and her fingers tighten around my arm.

Xavier finally releases Daniel from the hold and the two of them stand, straightening their rash guards and wiping sweat from their brows.

“Excellent,” I call to them. “That’s the winning ticket.”

They smile, knowing the practice of the Rear Naked Choke, and a few of the other moves I’ve taught will define them as top fighters in Dubai. During a quick break, I lean down and murmur in Emily’s ear, “I think we might really have a chance.”

She looks up at me with a knowing grin. “Yeah, me too. In more ways than one.”

I look at her, eyebrows pulled in.

“You know,” she continues. “We have a chance with Chloe now too.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “I mean, her sudden change of heart about us is, like, wow.”

I chuckle, remembering how Chloe had cornered us in my office, gushing about us being together now. “I suppose it’s a good thing she’s on board, though,” I admit. “Takes some pressure off knowing we have her support.”

“Definitely,” she agrees with a grin. “She was getting a little difficult to manage for a minute there.”

“For a minute?” I laugh.

Then my attention shifts back to Xavier and Daniel as they move back to the mat preparing to launch back into their spar. I watch their movements, analyzing every twist and turn. “You see that?” I ask Emily, pointing at Xavier’s technique. “That right there makes him a monster. He’s going to earn major recognition in Dubai.”

“Amazing,” she breathes, eyes riveted on him. “You’ve trained these guys so well. And more than just fighting. It’s like a brotherhood.”

I stare at her, shocked at how much she’s read into the practice. “Exactly.” And it settles deep within me that we are all in exactly the right place. “It’s true. We all depend on each other in every way. That move there—”

“Lucas!” The shout cuts through the gym, obnoxious and grating. Carlo saunters in, flanked by two of his cronies, smirking like the cat who swallowed the canary. His presence instantly sours the atmosphere, transforming the once vibrant space into something dark and suffocating.

“Carlo,” I growl, my fingers curling into fists at my side. “What the hell do you want?”

“Rumor has it you’ve been cheating, Lucas,” he taunts, his voice dripping with malice. “Falsifying records, misrepresenting your fighters’ skills. You’re not playing fair, and I think everyone should know.”

“Get out of here, Carlo. You’re full of shit,” I snap, anger boiling beneath my skin. “You’re making it up as you go.”

He moves closer toward the mat. “Did you honestly think you’d get away with it?” he continues, ignoring my warning. “You may have fooled a few people for a while, but the truth always comes out. And when it does”—he smirks—“your little jujitsu empire is going to crumble.”

Emily bristles beside me, her earlier lightheartedness gone. “Get him out of here. He’s only trying to make trouble and he’s not worth it.”

She’s right. I just need to keep my temper under control and get rid of this vermin so we can get back to training. But as expected, my heart is pounding in my throat as my vision turns to laser focus on him.

“Carlo, for the last time”—my voice shakes with barely restrained rage—“get the fuck out of my gym.” I feel Emily’s hand on my arm, trying to ground me.

He smirks, turning his gaze toward her. “What’s the matter, Lucas? Can’t handle a little competition?” His eyes travel up and down her body, lingering inappropriately. “Or maybe you’re just distracted by your latest plaything here. She is rather tempting.”

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