Chapter 57

Kelvin's POV

The moment Laura walked out of my room last night, head high, voice sharp, and eyes blazing with defiance, I knew.

I was in trouble.

And fuck, did I love it.

I had expected fury. Maybe even tears. But that? That little show she had put on? The way she had smirked at me and sauntered away, knowing full well I was left standing there, naked and fuming?

Damn.

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head as I sprawled back on my bed.

She thought she had won. Thought she could shake me.

Cute.

I ran a hand through my damp hair, still smirking to myself. Laura had always had fire in her, but this? This was different. This was a woman who was ready to play the game.

And I fucking loved the game.

I reached for my phone and dialed Dylan.

He picked up on the second ring, his voice gruff with sleep. "Boss?"

“We’re going underground,” I said simply.

A pause. Then a knowing sigh. “That bad?”

I grinned. “That good.”

Dylan chuckled. "Alright, give me thirty. I’ll meet you there."

The underground gym was dimly lit, the air thick with sweat, blood, and raw aggression.

This wasn’t some fancy fitness center with overpriced protein shakes and personal trainers. This was a cage. A place where men came to fight, to break themselves down and build themselves back up again.

Dylan was already warming up by the time I arrived, rolling his shoulders as he eyed me.

“Let me guess,” he drawled, “Laura put you in your place?”

I cracked my knuckles, my smirk deepening. “Not quite.”

Dylan snorted. “Right. So you just felt like getting your ass kicked today?”

I tossed my towel aside and stepped onto the mat, rolling my neck as I gestured for him to come at me.

“I need to clear my head,” I said.

Dylan didn’t hesitate.

The first punch came fast, but I was faster, dodging and countering with a sharp jab to his ribs. He grunted, but his grin only widened.

“Damn, she really got to you,” he mused, blocking my next hit.

I didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.

Instead, I fought.

I let my fists do the talking, let the burn in my muscles and the sting of every hit cleanse me of the frustration clawing at my chest.

But even as I landed a solid punch to Dylan’s jaw, even as sweat dripped down my back and my breath came heavy…

I knew one thing for sure.

Laura was still in my head.

And she wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

Dylan and I went at it for what felt like an eternity, fists colliding, bodies moving in sharp, brutal precision. Neither of us held back, and that was exactly what I needed, something raw, something to strip away the mess in my head.

But eventually, my body gave in.

With a sharp exhale, I collapsed onto the mat, arms spread out, chest rising and falling rapidly. Dylan dropped beside me, equally wrecked, both of us gulping in lungfuls of air as the adrenaline slowly faded.

"Fuck," he muttered, wiping sweat off his forehead. "That was brutal."

I huffed out a short laugh, still staring at the ceiling. "You’re getting slow."

"Yeah?" He turned his head to smirk at me. "Or maybe you’re just too damn wired. Should I be concerned?"

I didn’t answer immediately. My mind drifted, back to Laura, to the way she had walked away from me last night like she had all the power in the world.

Dylan sighed, stretching his arms above his head. "So... the gathering’s in a few months. You thinking of bringing the whole crew this time? It's the Roccis who will be hosting the event this time. Those bastards."

I exhaled slowly, my gaze still on the ceiling. The gathering wasn’t just some casual event. Every major player, every powerhouse, every name that mattered would be there. It was both an opportunity and a battlefield, and I had to be careful with every move I made.

"I'll bring who I need," I said, then added after a pause, "Laura’s coming with me."

Dylan turned his head, eyebrows lifting. "Laura?"

"She’ll be safer with me than anywhere else."

A slow, knowing smirk stretched across his lips. "That why you’re bringing her? Safety?"

I shot him a look, and he chuckled.

"Right, right," he said, sitting up with a groan. "Well, it'll be interesting, that’s for sure. Hope she’s ready for the kind of crowd that’ll be there."

I didn’t respond.

Because the truth was, I wasn’t even sure I was ready for what bringing Laura into my world really meant.

I wasn’t a fool. The moment I brought her to the gathering, she’d become a target. Not just because she was with me, but because the Roccis were hosting this time. And those bastards? They loved to play dirty.

Dylan watched me, waiting.

I flexed my fingers, maintaining my cool when I finally spoke. "I’ll put in protective measures. No one will touch what’s mine unless they’ve already dug their own graves."

Dylan’s smirk faded, replaced by something sharper. He nodded solemnly. "Good. Because the moment you bring her in, there’s no turning back. The vultures will start circling."

I met his gaze. "Let them. I don’t mind putting a few of them in the ground."

Dylan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "God, you’re terrifying when you’re possessive."

I stood, grabbing my towel and draping it over my shoulder. "Only when necessary."

And for Laura?

It was absolutely necessary.

Bringing Laura into my world wasn’t a question anymore. It was happening. And if she wanted to keep walking around like she had all the power, then she needed to be prepared for what that actually meant.

By the time I reached her suite, the sound of rustling fabric and soft humming greeted me.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching.

She stood by the vanity, pulling her hair up into a sleek ponytail. She was already dressed for work in high-waisted slacks, a silk blouse tucked in just right, heels by the bed waiting to be slipped on. Her face was radiant, glowing with happiness.

She hadn’t even noticed me yet.

I let the silence stretch, watching her quietly before finally speaking.

"You need to continue training today."

Her hands froze mid-motion, her reflection locking eyes with mine in the mirror.

Slowly, she turned around, brows knitting together. "Excuse me?"

I crossed my arms. "You heard me. You’re coming to the gathering, which means you need to be prepared. You have to take your training seriously."

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Then, her eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring behind them.

“Wait, what am I training for exactly?"

I pushed off the doorframe, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. "To defend yourself. To survive."

She swallowed, straightening her posture, but I could see the flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

"I don’t need training," she said, lifting her chin. "I have you."

I smirked. "And what happens when I’m not around?"

That made her pause.

"You continue today," I repeated. "Dylan will handle the basics. I’ll continue with you when I see fit."

She let out a sharp breath, crossing her arms. "This is ridiculous."