Chapter Twenty-Eight

Roughly an hour later, Fighter sat next to Cook in the packed audience of bidders.

He was sick to his stomach, hoping nobody would outbid Cook for the watch. When Cook told him he’d only be bidding up to eighty thousand, Fighter turned in his chair.

“You said you’d buy it back.”

“I’m not spending more than what you owe me.”

“What?”

“So, if someone else gets it, then you’ll just have to keep paying me.” Cook’s smile was cold and satisfied at the same time.

“Why didn’t you just keep it?” Fighter hissed.

“This is way more fun.”

“If you don’t buy the watch back, I’ll report it as stolen.” Fighter was fed up.

“I personally know your babysitter, Carla,” Cook murmured and placed a hand on his arm. “The children are very beautiful. Just like their uncle.” Cook ran the back of his finger along his cheek.

Rage turned Fighter lightheaded and he froze beneath the man’s touch. Turning his face away, he closed his eyes. This was one of life’s lessons he had to endure, but when this was over, he was going to beat the ever-living shit out of Cook.

The auction went on for a good hour before his beloved watch made its appearance.

“The next item is from eighteenth century,” the auctioneer droned on about the watch. “As you all know, we have appraisers on site to handle last minute donations. So, let’s start the bidding at fifty thousand dollars.”

“Wow, that’s a nice watch,” Spencer said, leaning forward in his chair.

“You want it?” Liam Cobalt asked his husband.

The bidding started in earnest and Brick stared with amazement at the wide screen that showed the details of the pocket watch.

“Wait…” he said. “That’s Fighter’s watch. The one his grandfather gave him.”

“Oh shit,” Hayden said in a hushed tone.

“Something’s off about that. He wouldn’t part with it.”

“You think our scuzzy cousin did something underhanded?” Syn asked and Brick jerked around in surprise to find Syn and Wyatt sitting behind them.

“How do you know he’s here with Allen?” Brick said.

“I was in the crowd when you confronted them. I had a ringside seat. You’re slipping, bro, or you were too focused on Fighter to notice me.” His brother smirked.

Syn looked rich and powerful in the black tux he wore and Wyatt couldn’t seem to take his eyes off his brother.

“Seventy thousand. We have seventy thousand, do I hear eighty?” the auctioneer called out.

A number paddle was lifted.

“Eighty thousand, do we have ninety thousand?”

Brick glanced around until he found Fighter. The man was sitting very still, facing forward, his face as white as a sheet. Cook tossed his paddle on the floor.

Brick raised his own paddle. “One hundred thousand.”

“We have one hundred thousand. Do we have one hundred and ten?” the auctioneer called out.

A murmur ran through the crowd.

Brick turned around before Fighter could look in his direction. No way in hell was he letting Fighter’s family heirloom go to anyone else. They could sort out the money later, because he was positive Fighter wouldn’t take it as a gift. They weren’t there yet.

Brick dialed Bishop. “Bishop, I need a favor.”

Five minutes later, Brick roamed the venue with Fighter’s watch securely in his hand.

Had Fighter left already? Did Fighter know he was the one who had bought the watch? Had the man even glanced around to see who’d made the bid so large that nobody was willing to outbid?

Frustrated, he was just about ready to call Fighter on the phone when he saw him standing with his cousin.

Did Fighter know that Cook had probably borrowed the money he’d loaned him? His cousin was a piranha. The only reason they tolerated him was because he was the son of his father’s step-brother. As far as Brick was concerned, both men were trash. He did, however, have a soft spot for his aunt. She was a lovely lady.

The quick phone call to Bishop had brought everything into light. Brick told Bishop about the watch and the man spilled everything. According to Bishop, Fighter owed Cook a lot of money and tonight was a payment toward that balance.

Syn and Wyatt flanked Brick as he started across the room. The crowd parted for him, as it usually did, and he stopped several feet away from Fighter and Allen. Brick waited until the group his cousin was speaking with noticed him.

Several of the crowd started calling his and Syn’s names. More people starting waving and surging forward with smiles.

“Brick, Syn! Didn’t think you could make it.”

“Hey Syn, long time no see!”

“Brick, want to invest in my new company?”

The comments were endless as well as the handshaking and shoulder slaps. Everyone wanted a piece of him and Syn, but Brick’s focus was on their fucking cousin.

Fighter was into Allen Cook for ninety grand. Ninety fucking thousand dollars and Allen, the worm that he was, was doing everything in his power to make Fighter’s life a living hell according to Bishop.

Brick got it that Fighter hadn’t shared. The man did have his pride and he respected that. However, it still hurt that Fighter hadn’t asked him for help. But then, why would he? They hadn’t known each other long enough. Once the trust was built, Brick was going to put an end to this shit. He’d lay it out for Fighter—if he needed money, then come to him. He wouldn’t gouge him or have him pay it off with dates. Just thinking about how Cook was blackmailing Fighter made him see red.

If he found out there were any connections between his cousin and the men arrested for breaking and entering Fighter’s place, there wouldn’t be any place on earth Allen could hide from him.