Takedown by Garnet Hart Page B

more experienced.”
    “That’s not an excuse. Every fighter, young or old, can only take too much beating on the head, unless the blows are made by a woman.”
    She felt heat creeping into her cheeks. The nerve of this jerk to insult her brother in such a way. But when the reality that this man was a former undefeated champion hit her, she figured he should know better.
    “So you’re telling me you gave Josh that job to make him stronger, is that it?”
    He smiled and nodded. “That’s quite obvious, I think. It will also improve his stamina. Did he tell you that I am now his trainer?”
    “Yes, he told me. But isn’t that an odd way to train?”
    He chuckled. “That’s exactly how my uncle trained me. He made me work on his farm, under the sun. Everyday, I carried countless bales of hay. I chopped wood. I built a barn. I milked cows. I plowed the land. I ran twenty kilometers a day doing errands.”
    “That sounds cruel.”
    “I’d say it’s practical. If I trained in a gym, I’d be wasting my energy for the sole reason of shaping up, but by doing farm jobs, it serves a double purpose.”
    “I’ve seen you working out in the gym. Bryan told me you have your own gym in your house.”
    “I had to, especially when I turned pro. There are some things that can’t be done on the farm. But really, hard labor really toughened me up at a very young age. And I expect the same thing from Josh after a couple of months. I guarantee you, it will be worth it.”
    She was silent for a few moments, trying to convince herself that he had a point. Indeed, he was correct. Rather that Josh spent his money in the gym, this way, he’d be earning instead while getting the benefits of a workout. Two birds with one stone.
    “I understand your concern,” he said as if he had read her mind. “I felt the same for my brother years ago.”
    She raised her brows. How could he liken her situation with his? She loved her brother, while he hated his. “Really?” she asked so as not to offend him in any ways, but no matter how she tried, the sarcasm in her tone was still evident.
    He grinned. He knew again what was in her mind. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
    She shook her head. “No offense, but your rift with your brother is not a secret.”
    “So how much do you know?”
    “You hate him. He hates you. And it’s also not a secret that you and your father have disowned him.”
    “Everything you said is true, except the first one.”
    “Which is?”
    “I don’t hate him,” he replied promptly. “I loved him, and I still do. That’s why I retired early, so he could be the champion.”
    “He said you quit because you did not want to lose from him.”
    He snickered. “He can say whatever he wants. I don’t really give a damn.”
    “Why not? In the eyes of the public, you’re a coward.”
    “Is that what you think, as well?”
    “I don’t know, but it does sound like a highly convincing explanation to your sudden retirement.”
    He sighed and did not say more about the subject. She was curious to hear his side, but it seemed he had no intention of confiding with her. Instead, he fixed his eyes to her chest.
    “So how was the surgery?” he asked. “I’m not seeing any difference right now.”
    She pulled the collar of her blouse up to her neck. She wasn’t showing any cleavage, but the way he stared at her chest made her feel uncomfortable. “I cancelled my appointment,” she admitted.
    He frowned. “How come?”
    She forced out a smile. “Let’s just say… someone managed to convince me out of it.”
    He smiled. “Who?”
    She cleared her throat. She did not want to say anything that will add up to his inflated ego.
    He grinned, certain that she was talking about him. “Now, you believe you have nice tits?”
    She flushed and nodded. “That’s coming from a womanizer.”
    “I thought you said I’ve no taste.”
    “Did I say that?”
    He laughed at her. “But I’m glad you changed your mind. I