Chapter 2 - The Woman Behind the Apron
Dominic ordered The Foundry closed.
Immediately.
“Everybody out.”
Nobody argued.
Within minutes, only Dominic, Sadie, Knox, Leo, and Dominic's two senior men remained.
Knox sat against the cage.
He looked at Sadie.
“You are not waitress.”
“I am literally wearing a waitress uniform.”
Knox laughed painfully.
“I like her.”
Leo didn't.
“This is ridiculous.”
Dominic turned.
“Leave.”
Leo stared at him.
“Boss—”
“Now.”
Leo walked out.
Dominic waited until the door closed.
Then he faced Sadie.
“Who trained you?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because ordinary waitresses don't throw Knox.”
Sadie picked up her apron.
“Maybe you hire unusual waitresses.”
Dominic blocked her path.
“Sadie.”
His tone changed.
No joke now.
“Who trained you?”
Sadie looked at him.
“My father.”
Dominic waited.
“He ran a small martial arts gym.”
“Where?”
“Detroit.”
“What happened?”
“He died.”
Dominic noticed something in her expression.
“And?”
“And nothing.”
“That's a lie.”
Sadie's jaw tightened.
“My father owed money to people he shouldn't have owed money to. When he couldn't pay, they took the gym.”
“And you?”
“I left.”
Dominic stared at her.
“You've been working here eleven months.”
“Yes.”
“You never told anyone.”
“You never asked.”
Knox laughed again.
Dominic ignored him.
“Why hide what you can do?”
“Because being impressive doesn't pay rent.”
She picked up her shoes.
“And because people like you notice useful things.”
Dominic almost smiled.
“You consider my attention dangerous?”
“I consider everyone's attention dangerous.”
“Smart.”
Sadie started walking.
Dominic followed.
“You forgot our arrangement.”
She stopped.
“The marriage?”
“You won.”
“I assumed you'd pretend you were drunk.”
“I don't break promises made publicly.”
Sadie laughed.
“You're serious?”
“Completely.”
“Then let me save you the trouble. I don't want to marry you.”
Knox actually applauded.
Dominic looked irritated.
“Stop enjoying this.”
“Impossible.”
Sadie reached the employees' hallway.
Dominic caught up.
“What do you want?”
“My paycheck.”
“You just defeated a man who earns twenty thousand dollars per fight.”
“Congratulations to him.”
“I'm offering you more.”
“No.”
“Security.”
“No.”
“Money.”
“No.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“Everybody wants something.”
Sadie turned.
“Fine.”
She pulled a folded notice from her bag.
Dominic read it.
FINAL NOTICE.
The amount was modest by his standards.
“What is this?”
“My father's old gym.”
“You said they took it.”
“They did.”
“And?”
“It's being sold.”
Dominic looked at her.
“You want it back.”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Don't.”
“How much?”
“Eighty-seven thousand.”
Dominic nearly smiled.
“You defeated Knox for eighty-seven thousand dollars?”
“I defeated Knox because you insulted me.”
That wiped away his smile.
“The gym is separate.”
Dominic folded the notice.
“Consider it purchased.”
“No.”
“You just said—”
“I don't want a gift.”
“Then work for me.”
Sadie's eyes hardened.
“As what?”
Dominic glanced toward the empty cage.
“My champion.”
“No.”
Knox called from behind them.
“I vote yes.”
Sadie ignored him.
Dominic stepped closer.
“Then train my fighters.”
“No.”
“My security team.”
“No.”
“Then tell me what you will do.”
Sadie took the notice from his hand.
“I'll work here until I save enough money.”
Dominic stared at her.
“You're stubborn.”
“So I've been told.”
She opened the service door.
Dominic spoke before she left.
“Sadie.”
She looked back.
“I wasn't joking about keeping my promise.”
Sadie smiled.
“Then you'd better start praying I never change my mind.”
She disappeared down the hallway.
Knox came beside Dominic.
“You like her.”
Dominic gave him a warning look.
Knox grinned.
“You like her very much.”
Dominic looked toward the door.
May you like
That was exactly the problem.
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