Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2)(27)

“Do you have the time?”

“For you, there’s always time, as long as we’re done by three. I work second shift.”

I drag my shirt over my head and toss it over a weight bench before I begin stretching. “This isn’t your full-time gig?”

“Not yet, but I’m hoping to get there one day. I’ve got a wife and a little girl to support, so I can’t be living here like Dad did. I had to go out and get a real job.”

I grab a jump rope off the wall and begin jumping in a slow rhythm. “Makes sense. So, what do you do?”

“I’m a cop,” he says simply.

My eyes widen. “A cop? Are you f*cking with me right now?”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I never joke about my job.”

“What about Kai and Bishop?”

“We have an understanding. They keep their shit away from me, and I won’t bother them.”

I lift my eyebrows. “I never saw that coming from you. A cop . . . wow.”

“Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have either, but when I figured out that running with the crew was the wrong thing to do, I wised up. What they were doing wasn’t right, and I didn’t want any part of it. So, to protect myself, I changed everything about me. Being a cop is the most opposite of those guys that I can get. Plus,” he adds, “they know they can’t f*ck with me or my business and get away with it. I won’t pay them their f*cking protection fee, like they demand from the rest of the local businesses around here.”

“It’s good that you stand up to them. More people need to do that.”

“They do,” he agrees. “But you know how intimidating those guys can be. Hell, when you ran with them, even as a teenager, you were scary as hell. That’s why Bishop liked having you as his muscle.”

I shake my head. “I look back at myself during those couple of years of my life, and I don’t like what I see there.”

Cole nods. “But you were smart enough back then to realize for yourself all the damage the crew was doing, and you walked away even though you knew you’d be living on the streets again. That was brave as hell. I only got out because Dad threatened to send me to military school.”

I think back to that time period. Kai was right. Bishop made sure I had everything I needed—food, nice clothes, and a bed—to entice me to stay and do his dirty work. I got caught up in having things I’d never had before, but when things went from simple drug dealing to hurting people for money, I couldn’t take it. I was done, and I walked away. After spending two years with Bishop and his crew, I went back to living under that freeway bridge.

I’m not sure what I would’ve done if Nettie and Carl hadn’t intervened in my life. I’m a better person because of them.

All this talk about the old days has me curious. “When’s the last time you saw Kai?”

“I haven’t talked to him in a long time, but I’ve seen him around while I’ve been out on patrol.”

For a moment, I debate on making Cole aware of the situation that happened last night, but I decide against it. There’s no need to bring him into the situation. I won’t put him in danger, but it’s good to know that, if the shit gets too hot to handle, there’s someone on the force I can trust.

Once both Cole and I are warmed up, I climb into the ring. Leaning against these ropes, I feel at home. Countless hours were spent in this very ring with Cole and his father, working on all the moves that are now trademarks of my style. Cole’s father helped me figure out ways to harness all the rage I felt inside and put it into punishing my body in and out of the ring. It’s one of the main reasons I’m able to take so much punishment. In an odd way, I enjoy the pain.

Cole swings his leg over the middle rope and then bounces around on the balls of his feet, like he’s ready to box me. “Let’s see what you’ve got, X. I’ve been dying to get back in the ring with you after watching you on television and seeing how much you’ve improved. I’ve been studying the new moves you’ve coined.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ll take it easy on you.”

Cole lunges first, and we lock up, but I get out of his hold with ease.

“Damn. How the hell did you get even faster?”

I wave him on. “Try again.”

We repeat the same thing over and over, and each time, I get the best of him.

Eventually, Cole gives up and leans against the corner ropes. “Things have definitely changed. What else is different with you?”

I throw my elbows over the top and lean back. “Nothing, man. Same ole. You know.”

“What about that girl I’ve seen you with on Tension? That real?”

I bite the inside of my lower lip. “Yeah. Her name is Anna.”

“She’s cute. Did you meet her through Tension?”

“No.”

“Then, how’d she get on the show?”

I sigh and then go into detail about how I met her, and before I know it, I’m spilling everything to Cole about my situation with Rex. It feels good to get it off my chest.

“Shit, X. She worth all the trouble?”

“She is,” I confirm without any hesitation. “I’d do anything for her.”

Cole lets out a low whistle.