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“So be straight with us then,” Beast demands, the tension in his shoulders releasing a little. I know he respects a man who’s straight-up.
Hudson nods. “Firstly, and most importantly, I think I’ll be able to get Ford transferred.”
“Good, that's all I'm asking,” I say, relief coursing through my veins.
“But I want you to be realistic about the kind of future you can give that kid,” Hudson says, urging me to listen.
“Future? We’re just helping him out right now,” I say, refusing to meet Hudson’s gaze because he knows there’s more to it than that. “I’m not adopting him or anything.”
“But youarebecoming attached,” he says, then sighs heavily. “Look, whether you like it or not, you’re on the wrong side of the tracks. You’re criminals. You hold illegal fights at Tales and have the local police chief in your pocket. From what you’ve told me, Ford has gone through enough turmoil in his short life. He needs stability, a safe place and probably a shit load of therapy.”
“Boxingistherapeutic,” Beast points out. “He’ll learn how to take care of himself. It will build his self-esteem and confidence. Where’s the fucking harm in that?”
“There’s none because you’re absolutely right, boxing does provide all of that, but can you honestly tell me that he won’t eventually get sucked into your world? You’re adults and you made a conscious choice to live the life you do.”
“We wouldn’t force him to do anything. What kind of people do you take us for?” Beast snaps.
“I know that, but I’m betting what Ford wants more than anything is a family, one that’ll love him the way his parents should’ve and I can tell you, from experience, that he’ll do anything to get that, including things he probably shouldn’t. He deserves a stable home, safety, parents or carers who’ll be around for the long haul without fear that they’ll end up dead by the hands of their enemy or locked away for their crimes. Can you honestly say that you can provide him with that living the life you have?”
I grit my teeth, dropping my gaze to my lap, because every single person in this room knows that we can’t, Beast included. What Hudson says cuts close to home, given I’ve thought the same things about Christy.
When I’ve finally got my shit together enough to meet Hudson’s gaze, I say, “I appreciate your honesty. Once he’s settled in his new home, we’ll find him somewhere else he can train. I’ve a lot of contacts, and before you ask, plenty of them are above-board. In the meantime, we’ll keep training him until we can get that in place.”
“Grim, he’ll be devastated,” Beast says, swiping a hand through his hair, side-eying me.
“A little short-term pain is better than long-term heartbreak. Hudson’s right, we can’t guarantee him anything,” I reply, getting to my feet. “Let me know when the move has been confirmed.”
“Of course, I’ll call you,” Hudson agrees. “You’re doing the right thing, Grim.”
I nod. “Then why does it feel like I’m letting him down, that I’m losing someone special?”
It’s a question I ask myself over and over again, and the answer to that question comes from the unlikeliest of places a little over a week later.
