Blame It on the Shame (Blame It on the Shame: Lou-Lou and Ricardo's Story #1) by Ashley Jade Read Free Book Online Page B

better person.
    “One condition. Actually two.”
    “Name it.”
    “One ― no one is to tell my two fighters that I'm your son. There's no way they would respect me or my training if they knew the spawn of Satan was the one guiding them through the pits of hell. I need them to trust me first and foremost. I need them to believe in me so I can get them through this.”
    “Fine, consider it done. As long as you agree to meet with me on a monthly basis for dinner at my house. This way we can discuss both the club and the fighters.”
    “I guess I could manage that. As long as you adhere to my other request.”
    “Which is?”
    “Never set my fighters up for a fall. I'm okay with testing their limits and pushing their boundaries so they become better fighters, but I will never be okay with purposely setting them up to get killed or seriously injured. It's a deal breaker.”
    I stomped on my cigarette. “I hate the way you run the club but I know I can't control it until the club officially becomes mine. But you damn well better not kill my guys. Understood?”
    “Understood. The club will be all yours in 10 years.”
    “10 years!”
    He shrugged. “You know the length of my deals. Now let's get the hell out of this shithole. We have a plane to catch and a business to run.”

    And that conversation is how I currently find myself pulling up to his home. Almost 3 years since I agreed to coach Jackson and Tyrone.
    Two men who have become more like brothers to me rather than my client's.
    Two men I'd do anything to protect.
    Two men I consider my family and DeLuca knows it.
    But even so, there's nothing he can do about it.
    Because if he did, he knows he'll lose me and ruin what little relationship we have with one another.
     
    I ring the doorbell again and curse the beginning of July heat; despite DeLuca's house being near the water, it's hot as a motherfucker outside.
    Finally deciding I had enough, I open the door and walk right in―only to find him on the staircase, buttoning his shirt and fixing his fly.
    It's obvious I interrupted him in the middle of something.
    I’d heard through the grapevine that he had a girlfriend but I still had yet to meet her.
    I also heard that she was beautiful, younger than he was and they were serious enough to be living together.
    “I rang the doorbell, but you didn't answer,” I say.
    He nods his head in the direction of the dining room. “I was busy. Come on, let's eat.”
    I follow behind him and take a seat at the table. “Tyrone needs a day off from training in a few weeks because his mother's coming into town and he wants to spend the day with her. I told him it was okay,” I say, getting right down to business.
    Besides, even if it wasn't okay, I couldn't care less. Tyrone's mother is the sweetest woman in the world. I would never refuse her anything.
    He sits up in his chair and looks around the dining room. “That's fine.” He snaps his fingers. “Marlene, are you serving dinner or not?” he barks at his housekeeper.
    “Coming right up, Mr. DeLuca.”
    I try not to roll my eyes and tell him off. I hated the way he spoke to people.
    Less than a minute later, Marlene walks into the dining room and proceeds to serve us. “Thank you, Marlene. It looks great,” I say, before giving her my signature panty-melting smile that makes her blush.
    She looks at DeLuca and frowns. “Will she be joining you for dinner this evening?”
    I don't miss the hint of snarkiness in her tone when she says that.
    Apparently, his girlfriend doesn't make friends easily.
    He looks up from his plate. “Yeah, she's supposed to be down here already. Go fetch her for me and make sure she's suitable.”
    This was unusual. I've been here once a month for almost 3 years and not once have I ever met his girlfriend.
    Marlene finishes filling our glasses with wine and nods.
    I ignore my own wine but DeLuca takes a hearty sip before he focuses his attention on something behind me. “There you are,