Page 69 of Unbreakable Thread

Well, that explains it. “Look, I have planned on telling him the truth, but the fact is, I can never get a hold of him, and something always happens when I try to. So, I just started concentrating on my mental health.”

Johnny lifts a hand. “I know you’re going through a lot. I’ve been a witness to it all. You’re a strong woman. You have been dragged through hell and back. And you’re still standing.” He leans his back against my Mustang. “My lips have been sealed. As long as you’re safe, I don’t say a word to Max.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it. It seems things happen for reasons. At first, I didn’t know if I should be happy or upset. Not because I didn’t want a baby, but because I felt it was the wrong time. Then I realized it was the perfect time. While I felt weak, my child became my strength. If something ever happened to Max or me, I know I have my sister, brother, and Lana, who would be there for my kids. I don’t want them to ever face the cruelty that Max and I have gone through.”

What Max has gone through is much worse than I have, of course, and there are so many children out in this world who have probably gone through much worse. Hell.

“Children are a gift; they keep you on your toes.” He leans off the car. “Congratulations on your baby.” He laughs. “I can’t wait for Max to find out. He’s going to turn into a human shield.”

I snort, but a smile tugs on my lips. His birthday is next week. Maybe I can surprise him. Like those announcement videos you see online. I think of the face he’ll make. The dimple that deepens when he grins. The twinkle in his eyes when he’s surprised. I saw a cute one where they got the ultrasound photo on a onesie. Maybe I can do that and drop it off. Getting a hold of Max is hard. Every time we run into one another, a phone call comes in.

“I’m sure he will. Well, I better head home. I need to shower. I don’t feel glass on me but…”

“You’re insane.”

I dart my eyes at him. “You were watching me. Why didn’t you stop me?”

He shrugs. “Because it seemed you had it all together. Sunglasses.” His gaze goes to my coat on my arm. “And a coat for protection. I figured you needed to release steam.”

He’s not wrong. I’ve had so much pent-up anger since I saw the news article. Now that Max confirmed it was fake news, I do feel slightly better, but at the same time, I feel like shit for smashing his windows. Feminine rage is something else. I think I even terrified myself. “Now you know I can explode at any given time.”

He laughs, walking to his car. He shouts, “I can’t believe you punched her.”

My knuckles are a little pink, but so worth it. The look on her face was priceless. Serves that bitch right. She took those photos thinking she could trick me into believing they were together.

My engine roars as I drive out of the parking lot. Leo…I shake my head. We just spoke hours ago. He was already there. I’ve been to those fights. They are brutal.

Chapter 21

Max

One of Daniel’s men stands at the door meant for fighters to enter. “Cano, back already? Did you finally figure out those undercard fights pay pennies?” the guy with a deep scar across his cheek says.

He’s not wrong. I’m not here for money tonight. When you’re unpopular and starting out, your pay is a couple of hundred dollars after you pay everyone. With this fight coming up, it’s been publicized as a big fight. Henry says the payout is a very large amount.

“Yeah, bro, I came to see who I can fight with my bare hands. Who can I fuck up?”

He laughs darkly and surveys around me, like he’s seeing if I have my bag. I usually keep it in the trunk, but I took it out to wash it. I’ll have to borrow someone’s. He clicks his tongue and opens the door. “Spill blood, Cano.”

My footsteps pound on the concrete floor, and moans are heard from the closed rooms where Daniel brings women from the strip clubs he owns around the city. I pull out my phone and shoot Xander a text. “Where are you? I’m here.”

He responds with the room number they are in.

I see him before he sees me, and I curse under my breath when I see Leo’s face. Swollen eye, busted lip, and a gash under his eye. When he sees it’s me who walks in, he bows his head. “Leonardo, what the hell did you get yourself into, bro?”

Xander leans up against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

Leo groans when he moves. Damn it, he might have a broken rib. “I needed money.”

I look at him. I gave him everything so he wouldn’t come here.

I run my fingers through my hair. “You left your job, Leo. You packed up instead of talking to me. And if you didn’t want to work with me, there are plenty of jobs out there. This is not for you.” Leo is different. He might be as young as I was when I started the Underground, but he’s always masked pain with laughter and smiles, unlike me, who used my fists.

“I was upset with you. I couldn’t even talk.” He peers at his feet. “I thought you were seeing Annette. The article is very believable, and then Xander told me the truth. I didn’t want you to hurt Rainey. She’s like my best friend.”

I know he cares deeply for her, and I’m grateful he’s by her side when I can’t be.

“Leo, I’ve told you she means everything to me. You really think I’d want Annette?” I shake my head, making a face. “She’s not my type and not who I want. I’m offended you would think that. But that’s beside the point, so why did you agree to two fights in one night? This has nothing to do with money, does it?”