Pressing my lips to the crown of Parker’s head, I closed my eyes and started to doze. Then my phone rang. Grunting, I grabbed it, intent on turning the damn thing off but then saw it was Dean. He’d texted too: Answer me, asshole.

Since I knew his next step would be coming up to the loft, I caved.

“What’s the problem?” My voice was shredded.

“That Garret guy is here.”

“So tell him to piss off.”

He huffed out a laugh. “He isn’t in the gym. He’s walking around outside with some guy.”

I rubbed a hand over my face and tried to focus. “We don’t own the sidewalk, Dean.” Unfortunately.

“I don’t know why I bother…” A long-suffering sigh gusted. “They appear to be surveying the building.”

The fuck?

“I thought you might want to know,” Dean said. “But, by all means, go back to doing whatever it is your doing.”

His tone made it clear he knew exactly what I’d been doing.

With a grunt, I eased away from Parker and sat up. “I’m coming down.”

Dean grumbled something unintelligible under his breath and hung up.

Tossing the phone on the bed, I explained the situation to Parker. “I’m going to see what the hell is going on,” I said.

She sat up as well, pulling her knees to her chest. “The gym is safe now. You have the sponsors. Why would he keep at this?”

“Some people don’t like the word no.” I reached for my sweats and stopped. “Shit, I have to shower.”

Her smile was sly. “That probably would be a good idea. Not that I mind you smelling like me.”

My heart gave a funny little squeeze, and I leaned over to kiss her. “Territorial. I like it.” Then I backed away from the temptation that was Parker Brown and took the quickest shower in history.

Garret was still there by the time I got downstairs. He smiled wide and easy as though he wasn’t scoping out my property.

“Mr. Morgan. Nice to see you again.”

“Wish I could say the same, Garret.” I eyed the guy next to him who had a big iPad in hand and appeared to be consulting blueprints. “Doesn’t look like you’re here to see me, though, does it?”

Garret shrugged. “Just doing a little research.”

Research my ass. This was a reminder that the second I fell, he’d be there to profit off my failure.

Before I’d ever thrown I punch, I’d been a fighter. My natural inclination in any situation was to act first, think later. Most people assumed that’s what boxing was all about as well—rabid aggression and hard strikes.

They couldn’t be more wrong. Boxing taught me a lesson: to win, you had to strategize. I’d stepped away from the sport and forgotten that. Being with Parker—who never let me get away with shit—these past weeks had reminded me.

Tucking my hands into my pockets, I leaned against the sun-warmed brick of my gym. “I’ve been researching too, Mr. Garret. Why don’t you come in and we can talk.”

His surprise was evident, but he brushed it off with another oily smile. “Sounds good.” He turned to his lackey. “Wait for me here, Kevin.”

I wasn’t going to fight Garret, but I didn’t have to like the guy, and my jaw was tight as I lead him past the studios where high school kids were doing stamina drills before stepping into the sparring ring. Carlos was shouting out encouragement—if you call “stop dragging your feet and move your lazy asses” encouragement.

“We’re offering beginners lessons for adults on Sundays, if you’re interested,” I told Garret.

He turned his attention away from the kids and back to me. “What makes you think I’m a novice?”

“You’re not?” I slowed by one of the mats currently unoccupied. “Want to give it a go then?”

Garret gave me a reluctant grin. “No thank you. I like my face as it is.”

Laughing, I headed for the office. Parker stepped out of the elevator at the same time. I greeted her with a kiss to the cheek. “This is Parker Brown,” I said to Garret as I opened my office door.

He held out a hand. “Kyle Garret. A pleasure.”

Parker gave him a polite smile and shook his hand. But she refrained from returning the sentiment. I bit back a grin.

“We’re going to have a quick meeting,” I told her. “Want to join us?”

The corners of her eyes crinkled as she searched my face. I knew she was wondering what I was up to. “I don’t know that I’d have anything to add to the conversation.”

“Stay anyway.” I wanted her to hear this. More importantly, I wanted her as part of my life. Taking her hand, I led us into the office.

“You’ve bought every property on this block,” I said to Garret as soon as everyone was settled.

“It’s public knowledge,” Garret replied with a causal shrug.

Humming in agreement, I rested my hands on my abs. “I’m doing a match for charity in a few weeks.”