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I shake my head in disbelief.
He continues, “He loves you, Frankie. I think he always has. Five years is a long time to want someone.”
“No—”
“Yes.” He draws me closer, holding my hand. “Listen to me. I’m not the only one who noticed the way he looked at you, the way he protected you. You have no idea the fear he put in every man who crossed your path. You got respect, not only because you deserve it, but because he demanded it. He wouldn’t let anyone look at you wrong much less say anything derogatory toward you. He loves you, Frankie. I think he has all this time. He just doesn’t know it. But he’s showing you by giving you his home and keeping an eye on you even from Vegas. He wouldn’t let me send Rowdy to spar with him. He insisted Rowdy stay here to keep you safe.”
“Gabriel asked Rowdy to stay with me?” He’s only my friend out of obligation to Gabriel?
“No. He didn’t have to. Rowdy is protective over you too. Gabriel sees that, and as much as it hurts him to send you into the arms of another man, he’d rather you be with Rowdy than be alone.”
“But I’m notwithRowdy.” I pull away and move toward the window. “You know that, right? I don’t have any intention of getting involved with anyone else for a long time.” Even if I was interested.
“Okay.” His tone is hesitant.
Scowling, I turn and face him. “You think I’m sleeping with Rowdy? It’s only been like a minute since Gabriel,”—my arms motion wildly—“and then the hospital. I… I can’t—”
“Hey.” Cap softly grips my shoulders. “Okay, I got it. You’re just friends. Which is good, because I still see you with Gabriel. He’s the horse I’m betting on.”
A humorless chuckle exits my mouth by its own volition. “Money’s too precious to waste. You should only bet on sure things.”
His grin is too big for such a stone-hard face that rarely smiles, much less grins. “My point exactly.” He tweaks my nose before departing with these closing words, “Trust me. He’ll be back.” He catches me over his shoulder before he’s out the door. “He’s a stubborn ass, but he’s no idiot. He’ll figure it out, and when he does, you better be ready.”
Leaving me stunned, I stare after him.What the hell just happened?
THE NEW GUY CAP SENT CANat least take a punch and challenge my takedowns. I haven’t knocked him out yet. Though, he’s earned my respect enough to actually spar with him instead of trying to kill him like the last handful of idiots Jonah put in the ring with me. Landry “Cowboy” Pierce is gonna be a title contender someday.
But not today. I’ve got him on the ground in a Kimura hold, his arm locked behind his head in position to break or dislocate if he doesn’t submit. “Come on, Cowboy. You know you’re done for.” A slight tug has him groaning in pain. “Give me what I want, then we can both take a shower and get those drinks Jonah has been holding over our heads.”
“Fuck. You suck,” he growls with his face smashed to the mat.
“Don’t break his arm, Gabriel. Cap will be pissed,” Jonah calls from outside the ring.
I’m not going to break his arm or dislocate it, but the boy needs to learn to submit so he can come back to fight another day.
Another tiny tug has his eyes watering. “Give me what I want,” I seethe in his ear.
“Landry, for God’s sake, tap out. He’s got you. You know it. He knows it.” Jonah motions to the room. “The whole damn place knows it. Tap the fuck out. Now!”
Tense seconds pass in strained silence until Cowboy’s other hand taps my leg. He doesn’t say it. He doesn’t have to verbalize his submission—his tap is concession enough. I release him slowly, helping his arm back into a normal position, and stand up, offering my hand. When he takes it, I pull him to his feet and pat his shoulder. “You did good.”
I swing out of the ring and take the water Jonah offers, catching the look of defeat on Landry’s face. “Hey.” I wait until his eyes meet mine. “Submission doesn’t mean you’re no good. It means you live to fight another day.Alwayschoose submission over injury. A bruised ego heals faster than a broken arm.”
He nods, hardly convinced.
“We’ll work on techniques to get out of the Kimura hold next time.”
He lights up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Don’t beat yourself up. I’m a tough motherfucker. You put up a good fight. I outmaneuvered you. Maybe next time you’ll outmaneuver me.”
That grants me a full smile. “Thanks, Gabriel.”
I don’t miss Jonah’s approving grin.
“Don’t mention it.” I swipe the sweat off my face with a towel and crush the bottle of water after downing it.
“Those drinks?” Jonah prompts as we head to the locker room.
