Frey blanched. “I’m not that bad, am I?” Kai grinned, and Frey held up his hands. “Yeah, okay. But I’ll remember this when it’s your turn.”
“You’ll have to put me in a Goyle-strength straitjacket if I ever have a pregnant mate.”
“Speaking of which, have you figured out what you’re going to do?”
Kai leaned against the counter. “I’m going to follow Presley and see if I can figure out where she works. I’ve sat on her condo the last four nights, and so far, there’s been nobody there but her.”
“Why don’t you call Julian and have him do a little digging? I’m pretty sure she’s an attorney, but he’ll be able to tell you for sure.”
“I don’t want to take him away from important Clan business.”
“Nothing is more important than finding our mate.”
“Except finding Craven. Getting the Unholy off the streets. Taking down Drago.”
Frey clapped Kai on the shoulder and squeezed. “Not even that. Isabelle is close to replicating the anti-serum, so we don’t really need to find Craven other than to stop him from working with Drago. As for the Greek, we are all taking extra precautions with our families, but we’ve been through worse. The Unholy aren’t causing as much chaos as before. They haven’t been on the streets in a couple of weeks. With Craven missing and Arden in our custody, it seems like Drago’s army is dwindling instead of growing. Now, let’s talk about a building I found for sale.”
“A building?”
“You mentioned ramping up the martial arts classes, and I got to thinking. I don’t want to change the class structure here, so why not open a place dedicated to MMA?”
Kai couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Can you read minds?” he muttered.
Frey chuckled. “No. But I’ve seen the look you get when you’re teaching those classes. Plus, I’ve sparred with you enough times to know the level of your talent. We can’t fight because of our shifter advantage, so training others is the next best thing.”
“But if I open my own place, that’ll take business away from you.”
This is what you want, so why are you pointing out the negative?
Kai’s beast had a point. But Kai was honorable if he was anything.
“It will, but not much. You know I don’t need the money. And giving up a few classes here means adding them to your new location. Or I can keep the beginner classes, and you can focus on training those who are serious about getting into the sport. Your call. The building is in a great location, and it just so happens I know the owner.” Frey had a grin on his face, and Kai couldn’t help but smile back.
The door opened, and Kai welcomed the members. Since they were regulars, he didn’t need to look at the monitor to make sure their fob matched the person using it. Once they were out of earshot, he turned back to Frey. “What’s your opinion on keeping beginner classes here?”
“I’m good with that. It will allow you to focus on those who are serious about training and not doing it on a whim.”
“That would be ideal.” Malakai was ready to go see the building. “Who are you going to get to take my place here?”
“Lorenzo has been talking about getting away from the quarry. He has been in that line of work for a long time, and he’s ready for something different. Lex has been doing a good job there, so Lor has no problem turning the reins over to him. I already talked to him about taking your place. Plus, Law is willing to help on the day shift when needed.” Lawton Gaines was new to the area. The Gargoyle had spent the last sixty years in Louisiana, and he took the overnight shift at the gym.
“Already looking to replace me?” Kai joked.
“I knew when the building became available, it wouldn’t take long for you to say yes.”
“Who’s going to take over the gym when you move?” When Frey narrowed his eyes, Kai held up his hands. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, Brother. Shifter hearing.”
Frey ran a hand through his hair again. “Nothing’s concrete, but my brothers, cousins, and I have been in New Atlanta a long time. Too long. It’s either move or use some of Jonas’s prosthetics and change our identities. None of us really want to move, but those of us in the public eye don’t want to wear a mask every day. I don’t know how Jonas has done it for so long.”
“Where would you go?”
“Rafael has been talking to Sinclair about switching places, but Sin isn’t ready to leave California. Said he’d miss the water too much.”
“I know how he feels.” Kai missed surfing more than he wanted to admit.
“Maybe you should look for a building somewhere else. There are fighters everywhere.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I like this city, but I don’t want to lose what I’ve found with you and the others. If you all decide to move, it’ll be like losing my family all over again.”
Frey grabbed the back of Kai’s neck, giving it a squeeze. “It won’t happen for a while. Not until this shit with Drago has been resolved. But if you don’t think you want to stay here when my family moves, then hold off on starting your gym. You can open one wherever we land. Or start one here and then find someone else to run it later. You don’t have to decide anything yet.”
Kai didn’t understand why he was getting sentimental. Yeah, he did. He was family-oriented. Maybe when he found his mate he wouldn’t want to leave. “I really want to start a gym. And when you all move, I can always come visit. Plus, I’m determined to locate my
