AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My lips are sealed.”
I hadn’t gotten what I wanted, but I wasn’t giving up.
2
KAVNER
Iwalked into my brother’s gym, Hard Burn, and paused to absorb the atmosphere.
There was the thump of music, the sounds of boxing gloves hitting bags, and the grunts of fighters. It was located in a large warehouse in the block of the Warehouse District we owned.
After years in the military, then working as a mercenary, Beauden had boxed for a few years and earned himself a reputation. He’d once told me that boxing had helped him quiet the shit in his head—from his childhood and the military. He’d said he wanted to give that same escape to others, young and old, who needed it.
Hard Burn had a long waitlist. I was proud of what Beau had achieved here.
The gym was mostly filled with roped off boxing rings, but a glass wall at the back separated the exercise equipment and weights.
I passed several people working out with their trainers, my gaze zeroing in on my brothers in a large ring at the back. Beau and Reath were going at it hard, both of them drenched in sweat.
The pair were total opposites. Beau was a big bruiser and covered in tattoos. His damp, shaggy, black hair stuck to his rugged face. Reath on the other hand was far leaner, but still all muscle. He had a handsome face, with brown skin and short hair. He might be smaller and leaner than Beau, but no less dangerous. The CIA had made him that way.
I circled the ring and headed for the change rooms. I quickly changed into my workout gear and stowed my gear in my reserved locker. I was ready to shake off my long day.
As I headed back out, Beau and Reath had finished their bout. “Who won?”
“Me,” Reath said.
Beau grunted. “You wish.”
“I’m ready for a few rounds.” I took out my wraps and started wrapping my hands.
“Rough day?” Reath asked.
I shrugged. “The usual.”
“Did you make a few million dollars?” Beau joked.
“Something like that.” I started wrapping my second hand. “I did close a lucrative deal, and I got word that some art I’ve been after for a while is coming up in auction. Oh, and the renovations of my new resort are on schedule.”
Reath sat on a nearby bench and chugged back some water. “And you donated money for a bunch of scholarships to the University of New Orleans.”
Damn, the man had good sources. It was the problem with having a brother who’d once been in the CIA. You couldn’t keep anything from him.
“It is my alma mater.” It was because of a scholarship that I’d gotten my business degree in the first place. Back then, I’d had no money. I’d had nothing but a hunger for knowledge, a hunger to change my life.
“And they’re going to name a building after you,” Reath continued.
“Fuck off.” I’d told UNO not to do that or the deal was off. “Get in the ring, Reath, I’m gonna kick your ass.”
Reath climbed between the ropes. We both slipped on our gloves and mouthguards. Reath bounced on his feet, and I moved my neck from side to side, relaxing my muscles. Then he darted forward and swung his arm. I blocked the hit and soon we were trading punches. My muscles warmed up, the tension left me.
But as we moved around the ring, my mind turned to Treasury Agent Coleman. To her long legs, elegant neck, black hair, and smooth brown skin. She wore the hell out of a pantsuit, that was for sure.
I took a punch to the stomach and grunted.
“You’re distracted,” Reath said.
“Like I said, it was a long day.” But London definitely was a distraction. One who was out to get me.
