Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
But then I think of all the ways it could go wrong.
I think of how not-texting it is, how the shield will be lifted.
Could we do it another night? I send quickly, hating myself a little.
And, if I’m being honest, more than that.
Sure, he replies. I’ll be waiting. Dreaming about you, Della. Always.
Thanks for understanding.
You don’t have to thank me. One thing. If I interview Hudson, I’ll need to know…have you told him about us?
No, I reply. He’s pretty protective. I guess I wanted to wait.
That’s fine. I just wanted to check. I’ll let you get to your studying. I’m counting the seconds until I can see and touch you again….
Me too, I respond, silently yelling at myself to tell him I’ve changed my mind.
I want him to come over after all.
But I just can’t do it.
CHAPTER 14
Elias
“This place is awesome,” Hudson says as I lead him around the large open-plan training area.
There are mats all over the floor, with heavy bags on one side, speed bags, a large sparring cage, a boxing ring, and more exercise equipment spread throughout.
“I’ve been in quite a few gyms in my life…but this is next level.”
I smile at the younger man. I liked him right away when I saw him jogging toward the gym, his posture straight, his movements disciplined, not even seeming to notice or care it was raining.
Hell, I liked him last night, when Della told me he was protective.
It might create some issues, sure, but I’d rather she has somebody looking out for her than not. And it’s a bonus he knows how to fight.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
He grins, looking around. He’s got one of our gym towels draped over his shoulders, his lean body tensed from the exercise.
“I’m guessing you know what all this is,” I say, waving a hand.
He chuckles lightly. “Yes, sir. That won’t be a problem.”
“What weight class were you back when you were training?” I ask.
He frowns, and I wonder if I’ve prodded at a sensitive spot.
“It’s a noble thing, Hudson, what you did. Quitting training to support your sister. You should be proud.”
Hudson tilts his head at me. “Della told you about that?”
I’ve overstepped the mark, revealing Della had shared things with me she’d have no reason to.
“She mentioned it,” I murmur.
He nods as we walk through the gym toward my office at the back. “I was a middleweight, but I’ve slimmed down some since then.”
“Did you compete?”
“Yeah, quite a bit, actually. I was on my way to…,” he shrugs. “But it doesn’t matter. Don’t look back. That’s what I say. What the hell can I do? Can’t turn back time.”
“That’s a good attitude,” I tell him as we walk up the stairs together. “What about coaching? Back when you were fighting, did you ever help with the youth classes, anything like that?”
“Yes, sir,” Hudson says, with an unmistakable note of pride in his voice. “I used to have keys to the gym. My old trainer wanted to hire me, but he just didn’t have the money to pay me enough to be able to support Della and me. This was before she got her dishwashing job.”
I don’t like thinking about my woman wasting her talents at a job like that. There’s nothing wrong with that sort of employment – a job’s a job – but when I’ve claimed her, fully claimed her, she’ll never have to work a day in her life unless she wants to.
I’ll provide for her, always, and support whichever career path she chooses.
Even if she chooses not to work, I’m good with it.
“That’s useful,” I say, gesturing for him to walk into my office.
He walks around, looking at my mounted belts. “Are these yours?”
“I had a short amateur career,” I tell him. “When I was in my early twenties. But then I started to play the stock market and….”
He turns, that grin fixed on his face. “The rest is history?”
Again, I mutter a silent thanks that Della has a big brother like this. And my chest cramps as I think about his features twisting, his eyes narrowing as he realizes the claim I’ve made on her.
As he realizes he hates me.
But would he hate me if he knew I wanted the best for her, just like him?
I’d have to tell her that first.
“Pretty much,” I say, as we sit on either side of the desk.
“I guess I don’t have to guess what weight class you were?” Hudson says.
I laugh. “Go on. If you get it wrong, no job. That’s one of my hard rules.”
He chuckles at the banter. “Heavyweight?”
“Bingo.” Reaching into my desk drawer, I take out a sheet of paper. “I’ve consulted with a management company, and they’ve given me some questions to ask. Sound good?”
Hudson sits up straighter. “I sort of wish I had a tie to adjust.”