"You're engaged," he says, his voice cutting through the startled silence of the gym.
I look up, my expression carefully calm.
"Wow," Mac continues, planting his hands on his hips. "And here I thought we were close. You couldn't even tell me that? I was gone only for a few days, and you have a fiancée."
The small group of people in the gym watches in silence. No one dares meet his eyes or mine. I glance at my father, and Leif gestures for us to go elsewhere and talk.
I know I am wrong for not saying anything. I have known Mac for over ten years, and indeed, we are as close as siblings. I should have told him, but I had been so preoccupied, first with the dealing with Alaisters then with the wedding, that I simply forgot. The guilt is sharp and immediate.
I immediately get up and grab Mac's arm. "Let's talk."
I drag him toward the small office, and behind me, I hear my father's voice, firming up after the dramatic interlude: "Show is over, everybody back to work."
I close the door behind us. "How did you find out?"
Mac swipes his phone and shoves the screen toward me. It's a news article. The headline screams "TCF CHAMPION TYR EVENSEN ENGAGED TO VASTANO HEIR." I swear under my breath. The announcement is faster than I thought.
"Dare to deny it?" Mac asks, crossing his arms on his chest, fury radiating off him.
"I just forgot to mention it," I say weakly, already knowing that sounds idiotic.
Mac's face tightens even further. "Forgot? Tyr, when did you even have time to date, let alone get a fiancé? You don't even have a boyfriend!"
I lean close and whisper, dropping the bombshell. "We are already married, and it's a contract thing."
Mac's shoulders slump in immediate, stunned relief. "What?"
"Dad doesn't know," I rush to explain, the words tumbling out. "I had to do it for a year and help pay for the loan. Otherwise, we would lose the gym soon."
Mac sighs, his voice shaky now. "You didn't have to do this. We could have figured something out."
"4.5 million?" I challenge him, lifting my brows. "Did you have four and a half million tucked away?"
Mac looks dumbstruck. He's silent for a long time, clearly trying to gather his thoughts, the scale of the debt finally sinking in. He finally manages, his voice hushed, "You sleep together or what?"
I snort. "Fuck no. We don't even live together."
Mac heaves a sigh, the tension draining from his shoulders. "Well, that's something."
"Now stop fussing over nothing," I tell him, giving his arm a quick, rough squeeze.
Suddenly, the door is knocked. I open it and see my father, his face troubled. "You have a visitor."
I glance past him and see Vega standing tall and imposing in the middle of the gym floor. When our gazes meet, I want to shut the door. To slam it in Vega's perfect, cold face and retreat.
But I can't. I recall that this is the big sponsor who paid the debt, the man who absolutely cannot be contradicted more especially in front of my father.
I step out, and immediately, Mac follows like a bodyguard, stopping directly behind me, his posture challenging. I'm momentarily speechless. I look back at him, and Mac just gestures for me to go ahead, his expression grim.
I walk over to the small table and sit down opposite Vega. He looks up, the fiercest stare I've ever seen meeting mine.
"What brings you here?" I ask, my voice sharper than I intend.
Seth, who is standing nearby with a serious expression, subtly cracks. He looks at me with wide eyes, as though asking, Why would you say that to the boss?
I glance at Vega, and my gaze lingers. I suddenly catch sight of angry red bruises on Vega's knuckles. They are raw, with a slight cut on his right hand, looking exactly like he's been in a fight or rather, a one-sided ass-kicking. My gaze trails up, and I catch a faint bruise on his lip.
Did I bite him when we kissed? Fuck. I was slightly out of it at the time and don't remember what I did.
Vega doesn't seem to notice my scrutiny. He glances past me, and I look back to see Mac still standing there, arms crossed, radiating defiance. I ignore Mac and turn back to Vega.
"If there's anything, you can just call m—"
Vega cuts me off, his voice flat and final. "Came here to bring you home."
I am genuinely surprised now, though I shouldn't be. It's expected for a husband and wife to live together, but we are absolutely not the conventional, loving type.
I lean forward and whisper toward Vega, keeping my voice low so my father can't hear. "I thought we would, you know, stay separate."
Vega doesn't reply. He just looks at me as though I'm a moron for even suggesting it.
I swear under my breath and get up. I take my phone out, and my father immediately takes the chance to entertain Vega probably talking about business.
I tap the screen of my phone, pretending to check something, while Mac leans in close behind me.
"You said," Mac whispers fiercely, "I thought you said you wouldn't stay with him."
I angrily whisper back, "I thought so too, okay?"
Mac sighs, his focus momentarily shifting to Vega. "Look at him. His face looks like he would kill people at will. Is he even a businessman, or is he part of the Mafia?"
I tap Cici's contact. Three rings later, she picks up.
"Hey, what's up?" Cici says, her tone less playful than before, a sign she's busy.
"Busy?" I ask.
"Yep, but I always have time for you, darling."
"You never said anything about living together," I state flatly.
"Ohhhhh, so you and the handsome husband are playing house together?" Cici teases.
"How did you know he is handsome?"
Cici replies, "I saw the engagement announcement and, wow, that is a tall glass of water."
I ignore her giddiness. "Just tell me if it says we should stay together."
"Yes, absolutely," Cici confirms, her professional voice returning. "It states here Party B, which is you, will fulfill 'wifely duties except physical contact,' so that includes living together."
I sigh, feeling completely defeated. The little loophole I thought I had just vanished.
"When will you be moving in?" Cici asks.
I don't feel like answering Cici's question about it. My defeat is too fresh. "Thanks, will talk later," I say curtly before hanging up.
Mac, still hovering, asks, "What did she say?"
"I have to move in with him," I state, the words flat. Mac is visibly shocked.