Chapter 39 Subtle manipulation
Zayd
"She has seen them. And she doesn't want to talk to you again."
"Oh? Is this the plan you have" I looked up from the tabloid I was scrolling through.
"It's effective, trust me. You just have to be persistent to show your sincerity, even though you are anything but sincere" Khelani muttered the last part but I know she didn't care if I heard that anyway.
"I'm sincere" I stated simply.
"Of course, you are sincere, with your manipulative tactics"
"Shows how sincere I am. Call Jim, I left my phone in the 6th hall"
I had gone to the 6th hall after leaving the garage because I needed to vent and that was the second-best place apart from riding a bike.
Jim was already waiting by the ring with my white hand wraps when I walked into the arena after changing my clothes.
"Young Master” he greeted bowing slightly.
“Seriously?” I pulled off my jacket, revealing the simple black shirt underneath.
Jim chuckled in embarrassment as he began wrapping my hands.
"Forty-seven's been asking for a match all week. That kid has gotten cocky since he took down Nineteen."
"Let him have his moment." I flexed my fingers, testing the tension. "We all start somewhere."
"You started at the top," Jim muttered, as he secured the final wrap.
I didn't respond to that.
He knew because he had been with me all along, but the men here didn't need to know my history, they respected what I showed them now, and that was enough.
Forty-seven was already in the ring, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was younger than most, maybe twenty-three, with the kind of lean muscle that came from discipline and hunger from the starvation he went through before joining the 6th hall.
When the blond saw me climb through the ropes, his expression shifted from confidence to determination.
"Ready, boss?" he asked, raising his wrapped fists.
"Don't call me that," I said, rolling my shoulders.
The first exchange was quick, he was fast and I like that. He came in with a jab-cross combination that I slipped easily, countering with a body shot that made him grunt.
He had speed that made my adrenaline pump in excitement. He circled right, testing my guard with light strikes, looking for an opening.
"You are thinking too much," I told him.
"Trust your instincts."
He came again, this time with more conviction. A solid right caught my shoulder as I swung sideways, and I used his momentum to sweep in close, landing a clean uppercut to his ribs. He stumbled back but recovered quickly, respect flickering in his eyes.
"Better," I said.
We traded blows for another few minutes for him to learn more about fast and decisive attacks. His guard dropped once and I could have ended it, but instead I tapped his temple lightly with my knuckles.
"Dead," I said simply.
"Dead," he agreed, breathing hard but grinning.
I helped him out of the ring and patted his shoulder. "Good work. Keep that guard up."
"Thank you." He nodded, genuine appreciation in his voice.
Around us, other men continued their drills, Thirty-Two was on the heavy bag, and Sixty-One was running through knife defense with Jim.
This place was different from the world outside. Here, respect was earned in sweat and discipline, not fear and posturing.
I was toweling off when my phone buzzed. Khelani's name flashed across the screen.
"Yeah?"
"Everything's ready.”
And that's how I'm sitting across this annoying assistant of mine planning the next step to get closer to Amrah.
As Khelani said, she was livid and didn't want to see me. I left of course, because I will do whatever she asks, but I will also do whatever it takes to get closer to her.
“So… I'm hired?” I trailed my thumb over her lower lip reminiscing about the kiss we just had. My heart was beating so fast with excitement as I watched the amused smile playing on her lips.
I can't believe I'm a step closer to getting her, way closer than I imagined in the next few months. She was right here in my arms, drawing circles over my chest and giving me a nostril full of her intoxicating scent
God! She is so perfect.
And so mine!
It was all going fine, she was already dozing off when my phone began to buzz continuously, pulling us out of our reverie.
Amrah sat up and shifted off my lap so I could take out the phone. A light frown crossed my brow on seeing the caller.
“You are leaving?” Amrah asked quietly.
“Unfortunately, but I will be back by morning”
“You are my bodyguard. Why will you leave me alone?” she folded her arms over her breasts with a light pout.
“I'm sorry, but it's urgent” I dropped a light kiss on her lips.
“You are leaving and taking an advance payment? That's a criminal act. You will be punished when you come back” she stood up and walked off to her room without waiting for my reply.
“I will be back”
“How the fuck did the 6th hall get attacked? And how did that old man find out before me?” I said into the phone as soon as Jim picked up.
“Matt was around. He arrived after you left”
“Fucker” I cussed under my breath.