Daddy's Boss

“So for nearly a month Louis has been placing high bets and getting the money as the men threw each fight,” Dawg said, sitting back in his chair.

He grabbed the little stress ball he saw on Ortiz’s desk, and squeezed it.

Staring past his brother’s shoulder at the clock, he began to think. Lori would be getting home soon, but he didn’t mind that. Several of his men were always near wherever she was.

Not only did he have a guard within the building who shadowed her, he made sure men were on the street, always there.

Louis Saint was nothing but a small fish in a pond full of sharks, but he didn’t understand what he got from this besides money.

“Bring Ortiz in here,” he said.

Paul left to grab the man, who was helping a little kid to fight.

Kids, he wanted a bunch of them.

Even though his profession always left a lot to be desired, he happened to love kids, and donated a great deal of money to the orphanages, and several children’s charities. He wondered if Lori wanted kids.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on the man that entered the office.

“Were those two dumb fucks ever allowed in this office?” Dawg asked.

“The office is always open to the fighters to get whatever they need.”

Dawg tapped his fingers on the desk. “And you’re not here all the time?”

“No. Training is always happening. You said to make sure they had access to this place at all times.”

“What are you thinking, Dawg?” Paul asked.

He squeezed the ball even tighter. “If this office wasn’t closed and locked when you left, and any of the fighters could come in, it means Louis could come in.”

“What does he have to gain by coming in here?” Paul asked.

Dawg stood up, holding up the book. “If he’s ever gotten hold of this, it would be really simple to swipe it and take a nice, long look at the figures. Those men were not in our pocket. They were earning money, but they were also getting it elsewhere. He saw the book. He knew what kind of money we make here, and what the fights bring in. Just by throwing a few fights, he was bringing in five figures.” He dropped the book to the desk.

“I always put that book away, Dawg. It’s always locked up tight.”

“Put it away.”

Ortiz grabbed the book and stashed it away in a filing cabinet with a lock and key.

Dawg moved toward the filing cabinet, and with a few quick touches, the filing cabinet became loose and the drawer sprang open. “He took the book, looked it over, and placed it back.”

“He sneaked up behind us,” Paul said.

“I want all the men out,” Dawg said. “Take a few days.”

“What are you going to do?” Paul asked.

“Ortiz, I’m not impressed. We’ll talk about this later.”

He knew Ortiz was loyal to him, and he trusted the man. What this showed him was that Ortiz put his faith in the men he trained, and that was dangerous.

Leaving the gym, he let Ortiz and a few of his men clean up the place.

Climbing into his car, Dawg turned over the ignition as Paul joined him in the passenger side. “Are you going to tell me what the big old plan is?”

“Simple. I’m going to put security cameras everywhere. He won’t be able to take a piss without me knowing about it. I want to know his every move. Get my guy that has been following him. I want to know what he’s been up to.”

Pulling away from the gym, he made his way toward his home, and saw one of the guys that tailed Lori was already there.

Paul followed him into the house, going straight to his study. He went to find Lori. He wanted her against him.

He found her in the garden, taking a swim in the pool.

“You having fun?” he asked.

She gasped and stood up. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t expect to find you here,” he said, crouching near the edge of the pool. She moved toward the side and smiled.

“I like that I can still surprise you. Did you have a good day?”

“It’s getting better. You saw the bikini I left out for you.”

“It’s a bit revealing, but yeah, I saw it.”

He winked at her.

“I saw my father today,” she said.

“You did.”

She nodded. “I … I told him not to come and see me anymore. I actually threatened him with you.”

This did surprise him. “You did?”

“Yes, I don’t … want to deal with him anymore. I’m done playing his games and trying to fix him. I’ve done enough.”

She ran her hands over her face.

“I’m releasing you from your contract.”

“What?”

“I don’t want you to be here because I order it, Lori. I want you to be here because you want it.”

****

Those were words Lori always wanted to hear. She’d not wanted to be bound by any contract, and yet hearing his words that released her, she felt sad.