Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(57)

With his hands bloody and torn up at his sides, Tyler looked over at Jordan; who finally rolled over onto his back and slowly got to his feet, blood dripping down the side of his face. Since he was shirtless, the skin on his back was torn up from sliding across the pavement.

“That’s fine, detective,” Tyler replied. “The cocksucker deserved it after physically harassing my girlfriend.”

The detective turned his attention to me and Bree and lifted his brows. I raised my hand so he’d know it was me Tyler was referring to. When the detective approached, Tyler finally turned around and looked at me, he looked regretful.

“I’m Detective Ryan Griffin,” he announced, extending his hand.

I took his hand and shook it. “I’m Kacey Andrews.”

The detective pointed to Jordan who was talking to the other officer. “Is that the guy who harassed you, Miss?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“What did he do?”

Tyler turned his head, clenching his jaw. He didn’t want to hear it. As quietly as I could, I leaned forward and replied, “He grabbed my chest while we were in the club, detective. And then he followed us out here to the parking lot and instigated the fight. He also mentioned something about seeing if he could get Tyler suspended from the next fight.”

He glanced at Cole and Bree and they both nodded in agreement. “All right, Miss Andrews, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to follow us to the station. It might be a little while before Tyler gets out, but I’m sure he’d rather have you there waiting for him instead of his father.” Turning to Tyler, he pointed to his car. “Let’s go, son.”

Instead of going to the police car, he came to me and reached for my hand, giving me the keys to his truck. “I’m sorry, Kacey. I should’ve walked away, but I just couldn’t knowing that he touched you. Please say you forgive me. You don’t have to wait for me at the station.”

I leaned up on my tip toes and gently kissed his lips. “I’m coming, Tyler. I’m not going to leave you there. I’ll wait for however long it takes.”

Folding me in his arms, he kissed the side of my neck. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

All too soon he was out of my arms and in the back of the police car, being driven away. I had no clue what was going to happen or what his future held. If he got disqualified from the fight this weekend, then my brother had won. However, if Tyler didn’t get disqualified, then my brother was going to strike again. I had to tell Tyler the truth, now.





ABOUT FIVE HOURS later, it was closing in on four o’clock in the morning and I was still at the police station. I watched as a couple of drunk men were brought in and taken away, along with a couple of prostitutes who were dressed in strips of cloth. It was an interesting night. It brought back memories of the times I had to pick my brother up from the local jailhouse.

“Kacey?” a voice called out.

Standing, I turned around to see the middle-aged guy, who was talking to Tyler in the club, head my way. “Jake?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I wanted to get here sooner, but I had to close up the club. I’m sorry about what happened.” He held out his hand toward the seats, so I sat down with him joining me.

“It’s just a huge mess,” I complained. “What if Tyler can’t fight this weekend? What if he gets in trouble?”

“That’s not going to happen. I know the people here and so does Tyler. He was just defending you.”

“You think so?” I asked, hopeful.

He turned to me and smiled. “I know so.”

About two hours and several cups of stale coffee later, Jake had already told me about his wife who passed away from cancer, how he started the club, and how Tyler was like a son to him. He even told me about the time he made Tyler wear a toga one night for work. I would’ve loved to have seen that. I was sitting there laughing about it when Tyler strolled around the corner with the detective by his side. Jake and I both got to our feet, waiting on the verdict.

Curiously, Tyler lifted his brows. “Do I want to know what you’re laughing at?”

I snickered again. “Jake was just telling me stories about you and your toga wearing days. I needed to hear something funny to take away the edge.”

Detective Griffin smiled and patted Tyler on the back before nodding at me and Jake. “It’s all good. Tyler can go now.” Turning on his heel, he waltzed off and passed Tyler’s file to the guy at the desk.

“So, what’s going on?” I asked, glancing down at Tyler’s hands. They were clean, with no traces of blood, and only minor scratches.

Tyler followed my gaze and looked down at his hands, sighing. “I’m in the clear. I can fight this weekend. However, I was told that I might need anger management classes.”

Jake sniggered and slapped him on the shoulder. “No, you don’t. Any full-blooded male would’ve beaten the shit out of that guy for doing what he did. Just go home and get some rest. Your father isn’t going to lighten up your training just because you spent the whole night in jail.”

“Isn’t that the f*cking truth,” he grumbled.

Once Jake said his goodbyes, I walked with Tyler out to the parking lot and to his truck. I still had his keys, so I unlocked the doors and hopped in the driver’s seat.