Read Online Claiming The Prize by Nadja Notariani - Free Book Online Page B

steaming cups of tea. God, she reminded him of Elleni. Always, she would remain his little girl, yet he knew he must come
to terms with the fact that she was now a woman.
    “ Would you like some tea
too, Dad?” She grabbed another mug from the cabinet, anticipating
his answer. “I see everyone cleared out early tonight.”
    “ Yes, I think the Friar is
anxious to begin early tomorrow. Henner will get a workout in
before the noon break, and then we'll head to the airport. Our
flight is scheduled for a three-twenty departure,” Guy
explained.
    “ I wish I was going to be
there for Jeremy's fight. I think he'll do well.”
    Grace slid the mug toward her
father.
    “ If he follows the fight
plan, he'll do fine. He's young and hungry,” Guy chuckled. “Ike
will handle most everything while I'm gone, but make sure you get
him the daily schedules. Otherwise, he'll never accomplish half of
what he should.”
    “ Of course, Anto! He'll
never suspect he's not completely on top of everything.”
    Her grin and slight shake of head let
him know she would take care of everything without making Ike feel
sidelined. He was a great trainer, but coordinating all the
activity and scheduling in the gym was best left in more capable
hands.
    “ There's something we'd
better discuss, Gracie girl.”
    Drago, who had been quietly listening,
rose to excuse himself, catching the serious tone of Guy's
statement.
    “ I'll ...”
    Guy raised his hand.
    “ You'd better stay,” he
interrupted.
    Drago sat, unsure of what was coming. The serious expression on Guy's face was more intense than
usual.
    “ We have a situation with
Khaler,” he began. “He tested positive for an illegal substance. It
was our in house testing, so at this point he won't be disqualified
from his upcoming fight. Tomorrow morning, Ike, the Friar, and I
will meet with him. He doesn't know yet, and I don't want a word
about this repeated. If it weren't for St. Clair and Ike, he'd be
out. But they have convinced me to give him the opportunity to get
his head out of his ass.”
    “ Anto...,” Grace
warned.
    Guy rarely cursed; that he did so
revealed the extent of his anger.
    “ I'm suspending him from
the gym until I get back,” he continued, ignoring Grace's pointed
looks. “I expect my wishes to be enforced, which is why I'm
including you, Drago, in this conversation. I've tolerated Carson's
behavior because I saw talent. He has mistaken my tolerance for
acceptance and I mean to put an end to it. I'm not convinced that
he'll see this as the second chance it is, so I want you prepared,
Grace. I want you, Drago, to watch over my daughter.”
    “ I understand, Anto,” Drago
affirmed as Grace nodded her head from across the breakfast
bar.
    Drago understood too well. Guy shared
his conviction that Carson was far too arrogant to acknowledge that
he was being offered an undeserved opportunity, and would probably
react in anger at any reprimand.
    Grace nodded her agreement, too
affected to say anything. This situation had been building for some
time, she knew. Her father would not abide reckless behavior, nor
allow it to taint his reputation in the business. Carson Khaler had
crossed a line that could not be ignored, and she wondered what his
reaction would be at finally coming face-to-face with her father's
anger.
     

Chapter 6
    Early April sunshine penetrated the
darkened glass frontage of First Strike, announcing the much
awaited promise of spring. The gym was lively with action, and
besides St. Clair, only Drago and Grace felt the heavy tension in
the air when Guy Antolini escorted Carson to his upstairs office
where Ike and the Friar awaited. Grace attempted to work on,
preparing the monthly statements of their clients, but her mind
refused to concentrate, drifting to her father's revelation of the
previous night.
    And to Drago.
    Back and forth her thoughts traveled
between the memory of being in Drago's embrace and concern over
what was transpiring in her father's