Untamed (117 page)

“Okay, good. Hate to make a point of it, but they’re my priority.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him, waving a hand.

“Hey, I got to get back to it. You come by Monday morning, half-seven, I’ll show you where everything is. Going to need all your tax info and that stuff as well if you have it. Say ‘hi’ to your girl for me.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Pierce mimes a pregnant belly. “Everything going well?”

I grin. “So far so good. We’re going for an ultrasound next week.”

“That’s fantastic. It’s a boy, right?”

I laugh, can’t keep myself from beaming. “That’s right.”

“Got a name?”

“We’re naming him Thom. With an ‘h’.”

“It’s a good name, man. I’m happy for you.” He leans into me, and is now wearing a smile that’s more pride and joy than anything else. “We just found out. Penny’s pregnant, too.”

“No shit,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “That’s fantastic. Were you trying?”

He shakes his head. “But we’re going to roll with it.”

“Get a chance to fall in love all over again,” I murmur.

“I don’t know why they call you Creature,” Pierce says. “You’re all sentiment.”

We shake hands, I leave.

I went to Pierce’s gym to ask for a job to work with the kids, figured he’d do a fighter a favor. Just as well he was looking to hire, anyway.

Dee will be pleased.

I climb into my car, receive a text, and pull out my phone. The bank transfer went through. The several million I had earned with literal blood and sweat are now in Australia. Going to have to find someone to help me invest that, look into getting a bigger place.

The clock in the dash reads half-past three, which means I’ve got thirty minutes to get across town.

Plenty of time for just one more thing.

Epilogue Two