Grit (Dirty #6) Read Online Free PDF

letting him catch his breath.
    Movement out of my peripheral catches my attention. I watch the man approach Joe at the counter, vase in hand. The single red lotus is vibrant in the otherwise dull gym. Joe directs the delivery guy to the office and all my focus centers on the door.
    Augie takes advantage of my slip and slams his fist into the side of my head. White light bursts through my vision. I take another hit to my chin before I get my hands up, impeding his next attempt. I’m definitely not ready to be in the ring yet.
    I grip the rope and spit my mouthpiece to the floor. “Asshole.”
    He laughs, unashamed, and shrugs. “Fair play,” he mumbles around the plastic in his mouth. He motions at his eyes with two fingers, letting me know I should have been paying better attention. He’s right, but it doesn’t make him less of a dick.
    I rub my chin and work my jaw back and forth. “That was a good hit,” I admit. “Shady as hell, but good.”
    “Hey,” Rocky calls. She rests her palms on the mat, leaning toward me. From this angle, I have a nice view of her cleavage, which means Augie does too. I glance over my shoulder at him and of course the fucker is blatantly staring at her tits. I step in between them, cutting off his examination, and squat in front of her.
    “I got the flower. I just wanted to say thank you.” She glides her tongue over her lip and inclines closer. “When you’re finished here, come find me so I can say it again. Properly .” With that image firmly implanted in my head, she pivots on her heel and strolls away.
    I don’t realize I’m smiling until I turn around and see the expression on Augie’s face. Both brows are high on his forehead, mouth hanging slightly ajar. He pops the piece from his mouth and grins knowingly.
    “Holy shite. What in fuck’s sake are you doing still standing there? Go get your proper thank you.”
    I don’t think there will be anything proper about it.
    “Oh, shit,” Augie mutters. “Joe’s staring you down.” He folds his arms over his chest, casually adding, “He’s probably not happy that you bang his baby sister.”
    “Fuck off. It’s not like that.”
    “What’s it like then?” he asks.
    I give him a warning glare. “None of your damn business.”
    He holds his hands out, trying to placate me. “All right, calm down. I didn’t realize it was like that .” Before I can confirm or deny or understand what he means, he goes on, switching rapidly to another topic. “Joe and I met a couple of gym bunnies this weekend. A bit younger than I’m used to, but sweet, and sexy as hell. We’re all going out Friday.”
    Well that was just fucking enlightening. I start unwrapping my wrists. My head isn’t into going another round with Augie—in or out of the ring. All I can think about is claiming my improper thank you.
    “You should come. Bring your girl.”
    My head shoots up.
    My girl?
    He laughs, I guess getting the reaction he wanted. “We’re meeting here at nine. Don’t be late.”

 
    Five
    Rocky
     
     
    I remember the first time I met Link. My initial impression of him was that he was an asshole. Just an arrogant douchebag who hired my brother. That was it.
    But there was a vacancy in his gaze that gave me chills. Something about him spoke to me and I knew on some level, he and I were similar. We had both been through something terrible that made us who we were.
    I never expected to fall for him. To want him and need him above anything and anyone else. To crave him more than I craved a drink. To hunger for him. For his body, his touch, his closeness.
    Not once did I consider one day I would ache to have his affection.
    Life is an ugly and wondrous thing. It beats you to a pulp and rewards you for surviving. Over and over, it’s an endless loop of ups and downs. Goods and bads. Pleasures and pains. Gifts and losses. We power through. That’s what we do. We embrace the calm and weather the storms.
    Garrett Marshall was a hurricane.