The Slayer (Untamed Hearts #2)(14)
Chuito gave him a skeptical look, because he didn’t believe God had done him any favors. Instead of arguing, he just nodded and made a promise he wasn’t sure he could keep. “Sí, I can do that.”
Chapter Six
“Okay, this is it.” Jules Conner opened the door to the apartment above her office. “It’s musty. No one’s lived here since I had it done. This has been sort of unexpected. I didn’t know Clay had invited a fighter here during that promo trip. The furniture I used was just some old stuff I picked up. You could redecorate if you want.”
“It’s fine.” Chuito tossed his bag by the door. He unzipped his jacket and dropped it on top of it. “How much?”
Jules pulled back in surprise. “You want to pay for it?”
Chuito gave her an equally shocked looked. “You want to give it to me for free?”
“I had assumed that when we gave you the fighter spot, you would require some living expenses to be covered until you started making money.”
Chuito looked around the small apartment again. It was one bedroom, and it wasn’t particularly fancy, but it wasn’t a shithole either. “What do I have to do for it?”
“You have to win.” Jules laughed. “You have to train really hard. Trust me, this is not a free ride. No one would want to be trained by Wyatt, Clay, and their team.”
“Wyatt, the pendejo whose ass I just kicked?” Chuito asked her. “That’s who’s going to be training me?”
“Yeah, that one.” Jules nodded as she looked around the room. “That’s why you got the spot. He’s not easy to beat. Though, in fairness, I think he underestimated you. The southpaw thing threw him off. He’s my brother. Did you know that?”
“Sí.” Chuito stared at her pointedly. “You’re like six feet tall. Who else would you be related to?”
Jules glanced around again. “I haven’t seen him lose like that in a while. He did underestimate you, but that’s his fault. I guess another concussion won’t hurt him.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad at you?” Jules asked curiously. “It was an exciting fight. Congratulations. Hopefully we’ll all benefit from working together.”
Chuito just rolled his eyes, deciding he’d stop trying to figure out anyone here. If someone had kicked his brother’s ass, he wouldn’t be giving them a place to stay. Of course, he didn’t have a brother anymore.
Just a cousin who was down for at least another year.
“Okay, rules,” Jules said as she turned back to him. “First off, nothing illegal. No drugs. Most fights require extensive testing—”
Chuito flinched, just slightly, but she noticed.
“What?” Jules asked harshly, because this woman was like his mother and clearly missed nothing. “Is that an issue?”
“No.” Chuito shook his head, even though it was a huge issue if they were going to test him anytime in the near future. He hadn’t exactly been living light since his cousin went down. “No drugs. Nothing illegal. Got it.”
“I was raised in a cop family. I can smell something fishy from a hundred miles away. Both literally and figuratively.”
“Great,” he said as he looked around the room. “Is that it?”
“I carry a gun. Many of them. If you f*ck with me. If you f*ck with my business—”
Chuito held up his hands. “Do you want me to leave?”
“I’m just firmly establishing where you and I stand. We’re business partners until you break the law. Then you’re stuck playing a game of good cop, bad cop with me and my twin brother. If you take advantage of my hospitality, I’m not going to be the good cop.”
Chuito laughed and looked away as he said in Spanish, “It’s like going down with my mother as the warden.”
“What?” Jules frowned. “All I caught was something about your mother.”
“You speak Spanish?”
“A little bit. I took it in college, but I ain’t used it much since then.”
“Are we good?” Chuito asked her, because he really wanted to be away from all the crazy gringos for a little while.
“I guess.” Jules nodded. “But listen, I have another renter next door. It would be better if you just avoided her.”
“Why, what’s wrong with her?”
“There’s nothing wrong with her. I just don’t think you two would be compatible.”
“Does she have a problem with Latinos?”
“She doesn’t have a problem with anyone. I’m just saying it would be best for all concerned if you didn’t bother her.” Jules gave him a stern look. “Remember, I do carry a gun.”
“Look, mamá, I’m not gonna bother your renter. I don’t do gringas,” Chuito assured her. “I like my own people. Now, unless there is a Latina in this town somewhere, your neighbors are all safe from me. I won’t say a f*cking word to any of them.”
Jules nodded at that. “I called her before I offered you the place. She’s fine with you moving in, but still, best to avoid.” She pulled the key off her key ring and put it in his open hand. Then she lifted her head and looked at him. “Did you just call me your mother?”