CHAPTER TWELVE
“What, did we run out of sign-up sheets?”
I shake my head, but I don’t have a chance to say anything as he continues talking. He’s so enthusiastic.
“Things are going awesome today. There’s a lot of interest in joining. And by the way, those glazed doughnuts you made…” he gives me a wink, “…they’re delicious.” He looks around the gym and then back at me, lowering his voice. “I can’t wait for you to ring my dick with one and eat it off me again, babe…”
Oh my God, yes, I would rather talk about sucking his cock than anything else, but unfortunately, I can’t right now. “Duke, stop talking for a second. I have something I need to tell you.”
“Ok,” he furrows his brows. “What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath. How do I tell him that some of his employees have gone behind his back to start their own gym, steal our members, and undercut our prices? His own mother had betrayed him, and now his work community was betraying him. Sure, Jeff had said he didn’t like Duke because he was brash, but did that mean you should lie and try to cheat your boss?
“No, we didn’t run out of sign-up sheets…I wish it was as simple as that.”
He frowns as he notices the serious expression on my face. “What is it?”
“Ed Beasley told me that Jeff and Kelly started a new gym.”
Duke raises his brows. “They started a gym—Jeff and Kelly? Are you kidding me?”
I let out a deep breath. “Sadly, I’m not. Apparently, they’ve been talking to our members—stealing them and undercutting our prices.”
He frowns. “How did we not know this?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Ed said he was asked not to say anything for fear it might ‘hurt our feelings.’”
“Wow,” he exhales. “I knew my relationship with them was not perfect…but stealing our members and trying to put the gym out of business, all while they’re still working here…”
“I think they both resented that you came in as the boss,” I say, “but this was not the way to deal with it.” I put my hand on his shoulder. I can feel the tension in his body rising.
He shakes his head.
“It does explain a lot,” I say. “Now we know why Kelly and Jeff have been out sick so many days—they’ve been working at their own gym and collecting a paycheck here!”
Crossing his arms, I can see it’s starting to sink in. But shock and disbelief still play across Duke’s face at the betrayal.
“And, it’s pretty clear why so many members have left us, too. From what Ed said, it sounds like they’ve been giving a huge discount at their new gym.”
“This is unreal,” He growls.
“Hey, Allie, Clara said you wanted to talk to me,” a loud voice booms, interrupting us.
“Jeff!”
I turn to see Jeff walking towards us, grinning widely. But his smile quickly turns to a frown when he notices the expression on Duke’s face.
“So,” Duke says, his voice tight but measured, “is there something you want to tell us?”
Jeff puts his palms out. “I’m not sure? What do you mean?”
“I understand you and Kelly opened a gym. Is that where she is now?”
Jeff jerks his head. “No, I, uh…ok, yeah we did. It’s a free country. We can open a gym if we want.”
“Kelly is supposed to be here working. And you’re late!” I chastise him. “Do I need to remind you that ‘7 Days’ is paying you to work here—not at your own gym?”
“Ok, ok, I took a little time off, but I still have the right to start my own gym.”
“And steal our members?” Duke growls, “What right have you got to do that?”
“I just told a few of the members about it, that’s all,” Jeff responds lamely.
“Yeah,” I say angrily, “I think you told more than just a few members while you were supposed to be working and I’m pretty sure you offered them rock bottom prices so they’d join you and leave us!”
“It’s a free country,” Jeff repeats.
“I guess your plan is to run us out of business and then raise your prices?”
“Maybe,” Jeff says, crossing his arms.
But I can see from his expression that’s exactly what he plans to do. ‘7 Days’ has some of the lowest priced gym memberships in the industry. We offer a lot for the money. It was very likely Jeff and Kelly were trying to undercut us so that we would go out of business, and then right when we did, the pair of them would jack their gym’s prices up to the max.
I glance over at Duke. His face is dark.
“Arrrrrrr….” a deep, guttural noise escapes from his lips.
In just a few seconds, I am sure Duke will turn into his panther and kick the shit out of Jeff. Duke looks over at me, then back to Jeff. I am trembling with fear over what will happen.
“Leave, now!” Duke hisses.
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Jeff whines.
Duke inhales deeply and stares at Jeff. His green eyes flare with anger as they bore into him.
“I, uh—need my paycheck.”
“Did you hear me? I said get the fuck out of here now!” Duke’s voice is low and controlled, but it’s so very clear that if Jeff doesn’t leave there will be hell to pay.
“Ok, ok…” Jeff sputters as he backs away. “But like I said, it’s a free country. I can…I’m allowed to open a gym,” he mumbles.
Despite trying to be defiant, I can see the fear in his eyes.
“I don’t want to see you or Kelly in here ever again,” Duke rumbles. He turns his back towards Jeff.
As Jeff slinks away, I rush towards Duke. He pulls my body close to his. I can hear him breathing deeply as he tries to control his rage.
“I’m so, so, sorry about Jeff and Kelly,” I say. I’m sure he feels totally betrayed. All this time he thought we were all in this together to try and save the gym.
He takes a deep breath. “I’m ok.”
“Honestly,” I say, “I was worried you would beat him up and wind up in jail. He has zero chance against your panther.”
“It’s hard not to beat the shit out of him,” Duke admits, “and in the past, maybe my first instinct would have been to rip him a new one...but I can’t do that now.”
“Oh…”
“I can’t risk going to jail, so I can’t let my emotions control me,” he pulls me even closer. “I have to be here with you to protect you. You’re my mate, Allie.”
“Ooooh…” I swallow. His words are so loving and kind. Suddenly, I feel his hard dick press against me and the thought of a very sticky, delicious, glazed doughnut flashes across my mind.