PRESENT

I'm not surprised when the chatter I hear coming from inside immediately stops as I open the door to Fighter's Den. All the guys are here today, and while that works out in my favour for what I need to do, it feels awkward as fuck to have everyone's eyes on me. I haven't seen anyone since my exhibition match and the way I acted that day was fucked up to say the least. The guys look like they don't know what to expect from me and I can't say I blame them. I'll deal with it soon enough but there's something I need to take care of right away.

My eyes zero in on Nate who has his arms crossed as he eyes me warily. He still looks pissed off but he doesn't exactly tell me to fuck off when I approach him so I take that as my in.

"Can we talk?" I ask quietly enough for his ears only.

He hesitates a moment before tipping his chin down. I lead him away from the rest of the guys who are pretending like they're getting into gear and not eavesdropping on what's about to happen. I hold back a snort. Pussies.

Nate doesn't say anything as he leans against the wall and crosses his legs at the ankle. I would think he didn't give a single fuck about fixing shit but one of his legs keeps bouncing—his nervous tell. Did the fucker forget I know him too well?

"I'm in trouble." I start. I'll build up to my apology, feeling the need to explain myself first. Yeah, I regret how shit went down but he needs to understand where I'm coming from too. "It's bad, Nate. Worse than last time."

His cool guy facade drops instantly and he pushes off the wall, straightening up. "How can it be worse than last time? Jesus, what are they doing to you?"

"You already know Christian is probably looking for me." We share a grim look. "As if that isn't bad enough, Mike and Nora are trying to con two gangs this time instead of one. They've fucked over these two gangs before too so it's risky even before I do this job."

He blinks in disbelief. "You're telling me you have three fucking street gangs that have motive against your birth parents? And they're hiding behind you as fucking usual?"

I nod, not knowing what else to say. He runs a hand through his hair, opening his mouth and closing it again and coming up short.

"Three gangs, Asher. And you're right in the middle of all three. You'll...you'll die. There's no other outcome."

Aria said the same thing. I nod again and he swallows harshly, eyes screwing shut.

"Fuck." He whispers. "Did you take it? The job?"

"I had to." At my words his eyes flash open again and he looks ready to rip me a new one until I hold my hand up, explaining myself. "I've been trying to get them to fuck off for a whole year. I put up too many fights to count, Nate. They won the second they got my dad into his car accident and I knew that was just the beginning. I fucking tried, man."

"That was them?" His face whitens considerably. "Fucking monsters. What the fuck is wrong with them?"

"They won't stop at anything. If they went after my parents they could go after anyone else who matters to me—you, Aria, your parents, your sisters. That's why I tried to keep you away. I just didn't want anything to happen to you under my watch. What kind of brother would that make me, man?"

"Fuck." He drags his other hand through his hair and tugs. I watch him as he stares a hole into the ground, the gears turning in his head. He's trying to think of a way out but we both know we can't find one. His frustration gets the better of him and he kicks the wall behind him so loud that the rest of the guys whip their heads toward us, no doubt wondering what the fuck is happening. I give them a look that tells them to stay away and turn back to Nate. He bites on his fist, shaking his head slowly. "Fuck, Ash."

"I know." I don't bother hiding how hopeless I feel. "I would have kept this from you longer if I could. I didn't want to involve you like this."

"But then I lost my shit and made it all about myself." He scoffs and holds up a hand when I open my mouth to deny that. "Don't defend me. I should've known there was a reason you were being so secretive. I shouldn't have doubted you."

"I would've done the same if I were you." I shrug. "I know I'm a pain in the ass sometimes."

"Sometimes?" He smirks my way and I laugh under my breath.

"Fuck off." I shove him but this time we both know I'm fucking around.

He rubs the back of his neck, looking down. "I'm so fucking sorry, man. You needed my support and I acted like a dick. You know I was just worried about you, right? But it came out all wrong."

"I should have been more honest." I admit. I look away, feeling uncomfortable. "Sorry, brother."

"But did you have to punch my stomach so fucking hard?" He grins wryly, diverting the conversation. I'm grateful because I was starting to feel like a pussy.

"You decked my jaw first, you fucker." I rub it for good measure. "At least going pro actually taught you how to punch."

He barks out a laugh. "I might just beat your ass again, Pryce."

"You can try it, Hunter."

"We good?" He asks after a pause. I nod and bump his fist.

"Even when we're not."

He blows out a breath and looks toward the guys again. I turn my body to do the same and all three of their heads look the other way. Nate and I snort. How fucking obvious can they get?

"Are you going to tell them?" Nate asks quietly.

I don't hesitate. "No. There's no reason to involve them and their families. I'm going to get this situation dealt with and when I know I'm a free man for good, then I'll tell them if they still want to hear it."

"How exactly are you going to manage the free man part?"

I give him a serious look. "Coach."

"Coach?" He's visibly confused. "What can he do for you?"

"He mentioned something to me after my match." I lower my voice, not wanting the guys to overhear anything. "Said that I reminded him of himself way back when because he was involved with the wrong people. Said he lost himself deep and had to pull himself out. I get the vibes that Coach used to be part of something shady. I mean, think about it. What about that time he found out Cameron's rapist was tailing his ass? He knew exactly who to go to for a burner phone and take care of Cameron's shit under the radar. Clearly he has connections and something tells me he can help me out, too. I'd bet good money he has my situation more or less figured out. He seemed really desperate to help me."

"Shit. That's a good point." Nate pushes his hair back, nodding. "Yeah, let's talk to him. There's no one else I can think to even approach about this. You?"

"No one." I shake my head. "He's our best shot."

"Then let's do it."

"And don't mention anything to the guys, okay? If this was any other situation I'd fill them in but this is fucking life and death. I won't be responsible for more people getting hurt because of me."

"I get it." He nods grimly. "I won't say a word."

I tip my chin at him. "Let's go tell Coach."

We start for his office and I'd planned on walking by the guys altogether but Cameron—of course it's fucking Cameron—blocks our path with a grin.

"So," He blinks innocently. "Are we friends again? What'd you fight about? Things looked serious over there. What's happening now? Can I help?"

I give him a dry look. "Don't worry about it, motor mouth."

"Oh, come on." The goon actually pouts. "I feel so left out. Did you know I was bullied as a kid? Makes you feel bad, right? You should tell me all your secrets to make me feel better."

"Jesus." I pinch the bridge of my nose. Jaxon is training with the punching bags but he's very clearly listening to our conversation based on the twitch of his lips and Wolfe is straight up watching Cameron like he doesn't know if he should be horrified or impressed. "I've got it handled, West. It was just some family problems."

"Wouldn't know since I didn't have a family before Avery and our half-baked child." He blinks again. "I am an orphan. That makes you feel even worse, right? Now would be the time to give me what I'm asking for."

"Seriously?" My face scrunches in disbelief.

"Half-baked?" Nate chokes on his spit behind me.

"Yeah, she's gone through one and a half out of three trimesters. It's simple math, Neuter." He waves him off and turns back to me. "Don't do this to me. My curiosity is killing me."

"I'll give you a memorable funeral." I clap his shoulder. "Out of my way."

Cameron's jaw drops briefly at the dismissal but then he sniffs, raising his chin. "Just for that, I want you to return the wedding card I gave you. Avery and I don't need you there anymore."

I smirk. "You made all four of us your best men because you couldn't decide on one. You'll cry if I don't show up."

He sighs reluctantly. "That's so true. Fine. Be a dick. But don't ever forget that mine is bigger."

"Cameron." Jaxon, Nate, and I all groan. Wolfe blows out a breath, eyes widening slightly at the ground. He's got to be feeling grateful as hell that he doesn't talk right about now. Fucker is lucky he can dodge Cameron's...moments.

"Come on." Nate practically begs and I snicker. Next to Jaxon, he's closest to Cam and even he can't handle him most of the time.

The short walk to Coach's office turns grim when I realize I have to admit everything to my mentor—the man I look up to most. I have to admit that I come from a fucked-up family, that I've helped said fucked-up family do illegal shit, and that I've killed a man. The last thought almost stops me in my tracks. Jesus, I wouldn't blame Coach if he kicked my ass out of this gym and told me to never come back. The idea of it stings more than I thought it would and by the time we reach his door I want to turn back around. Nate claps my back in silent reassurance and I nod. I guess I just have to get this fucking over with.

Coach calls out a "come in" as soon as I knock on the door and I share a look with Nate.

"We got this, brother." He tells me solemnly. I blow out a breath and open the door.

Coach glances up from his laptop and pauses when he gets a good look at our faces. Without a word, he shuts his laptop and folds his hands in his lap, mouth tightening on one corner. Nate and I silently take a seat on the chairs in front of his desk.

"You pull your head out of your ass yet?" Coach asks expectantly and one brow goes up.

I grip the armrests of my chair and ignore the nerves in my gut. This is fucking harder than I thought.

"Yes, sir." I answer quietly. I swallow hard and give him the same words I gave Nate just minutes ago. "I'm in trouble."

He doesn't say a word, only waits for me to continue. My hands turn clammy and I rub them on the fabric of the armrests.

"Did you know I was adopted?"

He nods once, slowly. "It came up maybe once. Your adoptive parents are the Korean folks, right?"

"Yeah." I rasp. "They started fostering me when I was ten. I gave them hell for a long time but they didn't give up on me and eventually decided they wanted me for good. It took a while for me to believe that because I'm not used to being wanted. My birth parents...they left me to die in their meth lab when it exploded. I was ten months."

"Jesus Christ." Coach rubs a hand over his face and leans forward. He props his elbows on his desk, one hand covering his mouth and waiting for me to keep going. I swallow again.

"I know it sounds bad but...parents are parents, you know? Even though I knew my adoptive parents abandoned me I still wanted their acceptance of me at one point. I still wanted that validation from them because I had false hope that we could somehow fix our relationship. When I was twenty-years-old, they reached out to me for a job. I knew it was wrong but I wanted to impress them like a pussy. I took it without anyone's knowledge and it went bad to say the least."

I look down, unable to meet Coach's eyes for this next part. That and saying the words out loud brings me so much fucking shame that it gets hard to breathe. My voice is barely audible when I admit, "I killed someone, Coach. I took a life."

The silence is deafening.

My gaze burns a hole into the ground and my face feels like it's on fire. There's so much guilt suffocating me from the inside out that I want to crawl out of my skin. I'll never stop feeling so fucking disgusted with myself. Never.

"He had to." Nate adds with a bite to his tone. "I don't know why he never adds that part and makes it sound like he did it for shits and giggles. Besides, it was a fucking mistake. He was wrestling for gun possession with a dude that was going to kill him and the trigger accidentally went off. The way it went down changes the whole fucking dynamic, Asher. You didn't take a life. A life was taken. It just happened."

"But he's dead and I'm alive, right?" I throw a glare his way. I get where he's coming from but he makes it sound like I'm completely innocent. I have to hold myself accountable and he needs to understand why that's necessary.

"You're not a fucking murderer. It was a mistake." Nate rubs a hand over his forehead tiredly and looks at Coach, face glum. "There's more. He hasn't even gotten to the important parts."

"This is just the beginning?" Coach finally speaks up and he curses under his breath. "I think I'm starting to get it. Not going pro, not wanting to be recorded, the way you fought your exhibition match...makes a hell of a lot more sense now. But that was eight years ago. What's happening right now?"

"The day I killed Marshall," I ignore the way Nate scowls at me for my choice words. "I was captured when the job I took for my birth parents went sideways. They double-crossed me and left me defenceless so I was on my own. I was held in a torture unit for twelve hours before I escaped."

"Fucking hell, Pryce." Coach interrupts and I finally meet his gaze again. I can't read his face for shit but I've also never seen him look so torn up before. "I had a feeling you were caught in the middle of something like this but...fuck."

"Still gets much worse." I grumble. I have a feeling he'll rip me a new one when I admit I took a second job.

"But there's one thing I don't understand." His brows come together. "Boston street gangs are nowhere near as ruthless as you're saying. Where did this happen? Must have been a bigger city."

Nate and I share a look. There he goes again. How is it that Coach knows so much about this shady shit? That's a mystery for later, I decide.

"New York. That's where I'm from and I went back there for the job."

"Shit." He runs a hand through his hair. "New York. Now that sounds right."

"Right." I blink at him. What the hell went down in his past? "Anyways, the guy who kept me captive was there when Marshall died. The two were partners and I killed his right-hand man in front of his eyes. He's AWOL now and, even though this was eight years ago, I won't kid myself that he's not looking for me."

"He's definitely looking for you." His mouth turns down in a scowl. "What's his name?"

"Christian."

Coach had been staring off at nothing in particular and digesting all the information I was throwing at him but his head snaps to mine, familiarity flashing in his suddenly fuming gaze. "From the Asesinos?"

An unfamiliar sound leaves my throat and I choke on it briefly, gaping at him. How the fuck could he possibly know that?

"What the fuck?" Nate bursts, blinking rapidly. "How did you...?"

Coach doesn't even hear us. Instead he's on his feet and pacing back and forth, muttering something to himself. I look wide-eyed at Nate whose jaw is still slack. What the hell is going on?

"What gang are your birth parents part of?" Coach finally stops his pacing to ask. He moves to stand beside me and I crane my neck up at him.

"Uh, the Vice Lords."

His eyes widen considerably. "You're Mike and Nora's kid? How the fuck did I not know that?"

"Okay, what the fuck is happening here?" I stand up so I'm face-to-face with him. Coach and I are the same height and I stare him right in the eyes, shaken up by the turn this confession has taken. "How the hell do you know my birth parents? How can you know so much about these street gangs?"

He blows out a frustrated breath and perches himself against his desk. He's obviously debating his next words and a couple of stressed minutes pass before he finally speaks.

"I was part of a street gang growing up." He starts and I think my eyes bug out of my head. "My story is pretty similar to yours, kid. My old man ran one hell of a gang in New York and seeing as I was his kid, I was expected to take over his empire one day. Gang work is all I knew growing up. I've done too many things I'm not proud of and will take to my grave. I was a completely different person back in my days and I understand how overwhelming this is for you. I get that feeling of suffocation, like you'll never be able to escape this nightmare on loop. I get it, Pryce."

I nod, not trusting my voice right now. Coach described what I'm feeling to the T and I'm left trying to wrap my mind around the fucking coincidence that he knows more about my situation than I ever would have thought. It's hard not to feel hopeful that I finally have someone who can help me because they understand this world and have lived in it. What are the fucking chances that it's Coach of all people? I've never had this kind of luck before in my life and I'm not sure that I even believe in it.

"I left that life a long time ago. Haven't looked back since the day I met Emily's mother and got myself out of that shit show. It wasn't easy. I pissed off all of New York and every second of my life was spent fearing that someone was going to kill me. I made too many enemies when I decided to leave that life behind me. Sometimes I still wonder how I got out alive."

"How did you?" Nate asks. He looks so shaken up that I feel bad for him. He doesn't understand this life and it must be insane to even hear what the hell can happen right under someone's nose.

"I'm not sure, to tell you the truth." He looks down at the floor. "I guess I'm lucky I had the right motivation. Nothing would have stopped me from being with Laura. It took a long time and the right kind of connections but eventually I made it out and without a bullseye on my back. I used my knowledge of underground fighting to become a boxer and do something with my life. I married Laura, had my beautiful baby girl, lost the love of my life to breast cancer, and found a new love. It hasn't been an easy life but leaving New York was the best decision I ever made. I wouldn't be here standing in front of you if I didn't."

"Jesus." I blow out a heavy breath. Talk about loaded. I always suspected there was so much more to Coach just because of the kind of man he was but I never would have guessed something like this. "It sounds like your father ran one hell of a gang. Which one was it? Maybe I've heard of it."

He snorts and there's no humour in it. "You've definitely heard of it. It was the South Bloods."

"Holy shit." My ass falls back to my seat. I gape up at Coach who shrugs, probably expecting this reaction. "Your dad ran the fucking South Bloods? They own New York. I mean, they're the most dangerous gang out there. They're...they're fucking ruthless."

"He didn't just run South Bloods—he created it. My old man was a killer in plain sight and evil at the core. He got what he deserved when he was shot dead. He had too many enemies to stay alive longer than he did."

"No wonder." I shake my head slowly. "That explains so much. I...I can't believe you were part of South Bloods. You must have been...done..."

"Yeah." He agrees hoarsely and meets my stare. "I was not a good man, Pryce. I willingly did the things you've done by mistake. I understand the guilt you feel for what you did to Marshall but that's laughable compared to what I've done if that's any consolation. To this day, I battle with guilt and shame and struggle to forgive myself. Laura taught me how to forgive myself because she somehow fucking forgave me and I try to do right by her by seeing in myself what she saw in me. She gave me a second chance in this life and I'm not about to waste it. Don't waste your life, either. Move on."

"I'm trying." I grip my hair with my hands and bend my head between my knees. The reality of my situation is starting to crash into me. "I had to take a second job. Mike and Nora orchestrated the car accident on my adoptive father. You know that's only the beginning, Coach. If you know this life then you know I had no choice but to take this job. I don't know what the fuck to do anymore."

I feel his hands settle on my shoulders and he squeezes reassuringly. I'll admit that for a moment my throat tightens with emotion. The relief I feel is unreal. It's one thing to get this off my chest but...Coach gets it. He actually fucking understands the way nobody in my life does. I can't even describe the kind of hope that gives me—hope I've never had before.

"We're going to figure this out, son." He promises gruffly. "I may have left that life behind but I can never be too careful. I make it a point to know what's going on in the streets of New York at all times so nobody comes after my family in present time. That's why I know your birth parents and enemies both. I can help you, Pryce. You just need to tell me all the details about this job."

"Thank you." I exhale and lift my head up. I'm shocked that I actually have fucking tears in my eyes but I don't let them spill over. I blink them away and pull in a breath. "Thank you, Coach. I feel like I can fucking breathe after a decade without air. It feels too good to be true."

"It's about time you fucking told me everything." He slaps my cheek for good measure. It doesn't hurt (much) and I laugh under my breath. "But we're not in the clear yet. I need to see what kind of strings I can pull to help you. If word gets out I'm involved in street work again then I'm back in that world. Just like that. That's why gangs are such a bitch—it takes everything you have to get out of there and nothing at all to get sucked back in."

"Tell me about it." I agree grimly. "I understand."

"What's the job?" He crosses his arms, getting serious. He glances over at Nate who looks completely out of his element here. "Not a word about any of this to the boys, Hunter. I make it a point to act as if that part of my life never existed. I don't need it coming up again, hear me?"

"Yes, sir." He gulps.

Coach looks at me again. "The job?"

I recap the details that I've memorized by now including the time, location, and day it's going to happen. I explain what the end game is, how my birth parents have conned every gang involved, and how—ironically—they managed to get four South Blood members to offer me protection. That last part catches Coach's attention and his brows shoot up to his hairline.

"How in the fuck did a pussy ass gang like the Vice Lords get the South Bloods to work with them?"

"My question exactly. Apparently they have some common goal against the Asesinos so they're working together."

"Bullshit." He rubs a hand along his jaw. "Something isn't adding up here."

"Yeah. I figured I would fly out to New York and spend a couple of days trying to find information, see if I can uncover what's happening."

"No." Coach glares at me. "You stay right where you fucking are, Pryce. Right now our main goal is to figure out Christian's location. Do what you can to find him and in the meantime, I'll call some people up and make sense of why this alliance is happening. If we find that out, we have leverage and we'll go from there."

"Okay." I nod. I blow out another breath and it feels like I lost thirty pounds from this conversation alone.

For the first time in a long fucking time I actually have some sort of handle on this situation and it's about fucking time. I'm going to get out of this mess and do what Coach did. I'm going to move on from this life and forget it ever existed. I have to. For myself, for my adoptive parents, for Nate and his family.

And most importantly, for the love of my life—Ria.

________________________

A/N

FUCKING COACH. THIS MAN IS PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS! I swear I fall in love with him more and more. He's the best character in this series, let's face it.

I'm also loving the darkness in this story. It spices up the story in a way that the previous three don't have and I'm loving it! It's definitely difficult to write because it's so different than my usual cup of tea so I hope I'm doing it justice. What do you guys think? *bites nails nervously*

Also, this was an entire 180 from the previous chapter (aka the kiss) but we'll get back to the romance aspect! It's all about balance.

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)