After everyone was gone, Amery stood and paced to the window, then came back.
“What?”
“You didn’t deny that you’re going to fight again. Are you planning on it?”
“It’s what I do.”
“And if I asked you not to fight?”
“You won’t. You accept all parts of me, remember?” Ronin picked up her right hand and nibbled on her fingers. “Let’s go upstairs. It’s your night to cook. What are we having?”
“Something unhealthy like spaghetti. For having such a kick-ass kitchen, you don’t have all the tools I need to cook like I’m used to. So be warned: I’m bringing my stuff into your domain.”
“Bring it all. Then it’ll already be there when you move in with me.”
“I’m thinking about it.” She squirmed until he let her loose. “Tell me about Katie.”
And . . . she had sidestepped the issue once again. “This can’t go further than us.”
Amery poked him in the chest. “I knew it! She is a p**n star you’re trying to reform.”
He laughed. “No. She’s Thaddeus Pettigrew’s daughter.” He explained the situation. “She’ll be Blue’s headache most of the time.”
“Will she have access to you?”
“In limited amounts.”
“Good.” She nipped his chin and then flicked the sting away with a sassy flick of her tongue. “I’d hate to have to give that little bitch the beat-down. I have had training from the best.”
“That you have.”
“I brought you something.” She reached inside her purse and pulled out a package. “Not as fancy of a tie as last time . . .”
“What is it?”
“A gift.”
Ronin ripped open the paper and saw a framed tin-type picture with Asian influences that they’d seen at a Renaissance fair several months ago. She’d refused to let him buy it, evidently so she could go back and get it for him. “Amery. This is . . .” So f**king sweet and personal. He was undone once again by her thoughtfulness.
“Your desk is decidedly bare. Maybe it makes me territorial, but when you see it, I know you’ll think of me.”
“Always.” He kissed her. “Thank you. It’s perfect. I’ll just grab the box of black ropes from under my desk before we go upstairs since we have a tradition of me tying you up after you present me with a gift.”
Amery leaned back to look at him. “A tradition? This is only the second time.”
“A tradition has to start somewhere.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“ARE you acting nervous because of the skimpy outfit?”
Katie peered at him over the top of the promotional poster she held, her blue eyes piercing. “No. I wore skimpier clothes than this to the club last weekend.”
Ronin forced himself to continue the conversation. “Then why the nerves?”
“Actually, I’m more anxious than anything.”
“Anxious for what?”
“Anxious to get this stupid thing over with.”
He looked at her sharply. “If you’re not willing to do this, then I will find someone else who is.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and slumped back in the chair with a heavy sigh. Luckily she hadn’t offered him that simpering little-girl pout or he would’ve booted her ass out the door—no matter what promises he’d made. “I said I’d do it.”
“Then act enthusiastic. My reputation is at stake here.”
Three knocks sounded, and Amery poked her head in. “Is this a bad time?”
Ronin smiled at her, grateful for the interruption. “No. Katie was just complaining again about her role at tonight’s event.”
“Please explain to me what being a ring girl has to do with learning the mixed martial arts fight-promotion business?” Katie demanded.
“A, ring girl is your job, so suck it up and do it or quit—your choice. B, while you’re waiting to prance around the outside of the ring, reminding attendees which round it is and who our sponsors are, you will be sitting next to Sandan Zach, paying very close attention to how the fighters are scored.”
“I dated an MMA guy. I know how to score.”
Amery said, “I’ll just bet you do,” with such sweetness that Katie didn’t recognize the sarcasm.
Ronin forced his face to remain blank, but inside he was laughing. “Regardless, pay attention to everything. The scoring, the judges’ actions, the crowd’s reactions, what the sponsors are doing in front of the crowd and behind the scenes. You will be tested.”
Katie opened her mouth and snapped it shut before she stood. “You’ve got it, Sensei.”
After Katie slunk out the door, Amery said, “Can I trip her as she’s walking around the cage?”
He chuckled and pulled her onto his lap. “That’ll f**k with my liability insurance, so no.”
“She annoys me.”
Although Amery had gotten over her bout of jealousy, she still eyed Katie with distrust. “I know she does, baby. She annoys everybody.”
Amery ran her fingers through his hair. “Is it worth it? She’s still sporting that spoiled rich girl attitude. Even Ito, who is more Zen than you, wanted to drop-kick her into next week.”
“Katie’s brattiness is a defense mechanism. She’s a scared kid who’s never been accountable for anything in her life, and she wants to be taken seriously.”
“So that’s why you’re making her walk around the ring in front of a thousand people in booty shorts, a boob-baring halter top, dolled up with pageant queen hair and makeup? So sponsors will take her more seriously?”
Ronin slapped her ass. “She needs to learn ringside protocol. If I gave her a clipboard and put her next to the judges? She’d act like she was in charge—her pride wouldn’t allow anything less. These next-level promoters would treat her like a bimbo and think our organization was unprofessional.”
“So while she’s dressed like a bimbo, she’s learning humility as well as learning the business.” Amery grinned. “Such a wise grasshopper you are, Sensei.”
“Jesus.”
“What did TP do for you that resulted in this huge favor you’re doing for him?”
“He fixed Blue’s lease issue. After this, regardless of how Katie does working for Black and Blue Promotions, all chits will be cashed in and I’ll have a clean slate with TP. For the first time in more than ten years.”