My heart aches to see just how frustrated and angry he is with me right now. I’ve never been shy about pissing people off, but Julian hasn’t given me any reason to do that to him.
And yet, I still don’t stop with the hounding.
“My reputation has already been tainted by associating myself with Jax before this. And this time is no different,”
I explain. “I’m sorry, but I have to do this. You know what Jax did. I need to see this through. And it’s only for another three weeks, I swear. And after that, you don’t ever have to see Kayden again if you don’t want to.”
A muscle twitches on Julian’s face. He grits his teeth, probably hating himself for what he’s about to say next.
“All right, fine. I’m doing this because I care about you.”
He cuts me a cross look. “But you have to listen to me: after this shit, after you get what you want, I want you to stay out of the underground. It’s not healthy for you. And you’re a good trainer. I don’t want your reputation tarnished just because you’re dealing with them. So promise me you won’t go back after this.”
Julian has never asked me to do anything apart from work obligations. So if he’s asking this of me, I know he’s only looking for my best interests. I do want to strengthen his trust in me and make him proud someday.
“I promise,” I say, nodding vigorously. “I won’t let you down.”
Julian lets out a defeated sigh. “Tell him to get in here.”
I push past the door and hold it open to let Kayden in.
He shoots up from the bench eagerly and saunters into the office.
“Sir,” Kayden says with a kind of modesty that I’ve never seen in him before. He extends a hand to Julian. “It’s an honor to meet you—”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just sit the fuck down and listen to me, boy.” Julian gestures to the chair and Kayden plops down submissively. “We train before and after hours, six days a week. Six in the morning and ten at night. You arrive and leave through the back door and you leave nothing behind. I don’t want anyone here knowing I’m affiliated with an underground fighter. You understand me?”
Kayden gulps. “Yes, sir.”
“Tell me, what’s your reason for wanting to take down Jax?”
“I just need to,” he says.
Silence.
I meet Julian’s gaze with a shrug. “He’s doesn’t like to share much.”
“No shit,” he grunts. “All right. Keep your reasons to yourself. As long as you give me your commitment and leave your ego at the door. Because for the next three weeks, I’m gonna break you.”
Kayden leans forward, resting his arms over his thighs.
He looks up at Julian with determined grit. “I can take it.”
“We’ll see about that.” Julian huffs. “Six o’clock tomorrow.
If you’re late, we’re canceling the whole thing and you fend off Jax on your own.”
“Got it.”
Kayden spins back and sends Julian a ridiculous military salute. Julian rolls his eyes, fighting off a small smile slanting across his face.