That should have been the end of it.
But at 8:17 the following morning, his phone buzzed.
A message from Claire.
Derek says you’re really coming Friday. Please don’t embarrass yourself.
Cole read it twice.
He typed a response, deleted it, and finally sent three words.
See you there.
Her reply came almost immediately.
I’m serious, Cole. You have no idea what he’s capable of.
Cole looked at the message for a long time.
Then he put his phone away.
She was right about one thing.
She had no idea what either man was capable of.
And that was the problem.
— APEX PREDATOR
Apex Predator Martial Arts occupied a converted warehouse on the edge of town.
Black lettering covered the front windows. Inside, heavy bags hung from steel beams, music thumped through oversized speakers, and young fighters practiced combinations beneath fluorescent lights.
Cole arrived Thursday afternoon.
He had decided he wanted to see the place before Friday. He also wanted to understand what kind of man Derek was when he wasn’t performing for an audience.
