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“Theo’s my friend since college,” Liam says. “I rarely ever approve of what he does and he rarely ever approves of what I do but we manage to stay friends regardless.”
“Theo’s people handle the fights we’ve been going to,” Sebastian explains.
“I’ve heard your name around the circuits,” Theo says to me. “I’ve never been to any of your fights but I hear you have good technique.”
“Illegal fights aren’t exactly the perfect audience to show off technique,” I say. “All they want is blood and excitement.”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Theo says.
“I can’t imagine why someone like you would be in charge of some stupid fight club.”
“It’s my passion,” Theo says. “One of those things about me that most people don’t understand. I wear these suits and run my family business and people think I’m happy and living a perfect life when that’s far from the truth. I usually don’t even show this side of me to people, unless I find someone who understands me. As someone who doesn’t exactly belong to the trash audience that frequents these fights, I’m sure you can relate.”
Mia gives me a slight nudge in the ribs and I guess I’m supposed to say something to be nice to the guy so I try to come up with something. “You’re right,” I say. “I can relate.”
Theo smiles. “So,” he says. “Liam tells me you ran into a bit of trouble during one of the more important fights. Is that true?”
“I ended up breaking a guy’s jaw,” I say. “He ended up in the hospital and dead.”
“Are the cops bothering you?”
“Not at the moment,” I say. “My cousin Vincent, he’s a cop. He’s handling it but he says it’s not going to be easy keeping this one silent since that stupid tabloid involved the rest of the world and now everyone wants a target to pin this on.”
“I get it,” Theo says. “That’s how tabloids work. Can’t blame them for doing what they need in order to earn their living, can we? But we can do damage control.”
“Damage control?”
“Needless to say Theo’s connected,” Liam says. “He can make it go away.”
“Just like that?” I ask. “No strings attached?”
Mia nudges me harder this time. “Teague,” she says. “Theo’s just trying to help.”
“No,” I say. “I know that. I’m just making sure this won’t come and bite me in the ass tomorrow, that’s all.”
Liam looks annoyed. “It looks like Sebastian’s friend needs some kind of assurance, Theo.”
This time Sebastian gives me a cold, irritated look just like the one Mia just did. “Theo,” I say. “I mean no disrespect. I’m just saying that if there is something, that I can do in return, then I would.”
“Quid Pro Quo,” Theo says. “Well, Mr. Connolly. If there’s ever a time in the future where I need a favor from you, I’ll let you know. But honestly speaking, this favor isn’t for you. It’s for my friend Liam. So I don’t think there’s anything for you to worry about.”
“It’s like I always tell Teague,” Mia says. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, buddy!”
Everyone laughs.
Except for me. “She’s right I guess,” I say, putting an arm around her, mostly so that Mia won’t be able to nudge me that hard again. “I do love her and I’d prefer it if I wasn’t seeing her only during the allocated conjugal visits.”
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The slight bit of humor relaxes everyone and the tension is gone.
“So,” I say. “I guess we should be heading home.”
“Already?” Liam says. “The party’s just begun!”
“I know how hard you like to party,” I say. “And since Sebastian has become some weird party animal model lookalike, who I never get to see anymore, I would say you’ve been a good influence on him, Liam.”
“I used to party before Liam!” Sebastian argues.
