THEO
“Get the fuck off me,” I bark, shoving Seb’s arm away from where he thinks he’s restraining me from marching toward Emmie and wrapping my had around her fucking throat.
She just walked out of the ladies’ locker rooms with him.
The same guy she let wrap his arm around her.
The one whose hand she held before walking out of here as if seeing me meant nothing to her.
As if I mean nothing to her.
“Theo,” Seb warns, his voice deep, laced with concern.
“I’m not going to fucking go after her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not. I have no doubt that she could handle you if you did. I’m more concerned about you getting back in that ring again.”
“Like you give a fuck if I end up on the floor. You’ve already made your choice here. You’re Team Emmie.”
“I’m not on anyone’s fucking team, man. I’m worried about you. I’m worried about both of you. We all are.”
“Well, fucking stop. I never asked you to be concerned about me. I can look after myself.”
“Can you?” he asks, his eyes darting around the colourful bruises that mar my face.
Should I remove my shirt, I know my skin under there isn’t any better.
Thankfully—or maybe not—any response I might have come up with is cut off when my name is called across the gym.
“Theo Cirillo, what a pleasant surprise.”
Turning around, my eyes narrow on the man walking toward me in a pair of sweats and a long-sleeved shirt.
“Long time no see,” I mutter, although I can’t deny I’m shocked that he’s suddenly started showing his face again.
I bet Dawson has tasked him to keep an eye on me. There’s no way he hasn’t known that I’ve been training here.
“Titch. Thought you’d retired, old man.”
“Ha, no such luck, kid. Just been testing out a few other gyms on my side of town.”
“I can imagine they’re all shit, seeing as you’ve shacked up in Italian territory.”
“Something like that,” he mutters, throwing his bag onto a chair by the wall. “So, are you here for a reason or…” He nods to the ring.
“You sure you’ve still got it?”
“You know I have. More so when I’ve got a reason to make it hurt.”
I raise a brow at him.
Honestly, I don’t know all that much about Carter Wright other than his reputation in the ring.
For years he dominated all of Mickey’s Circuit nights. He was unbeatable until he got injured and mostly stopped competing. It never stopped him from training, though.
“Prove to me that you’re worthy of her and I might let you off easy.”
With that said, and another concerned look from Seb, I climb into the ring.