Free Kissing the Canvas (Fighting For Love Book 3) by Evelyn Glass Page A

at not having his first two calls answered. The message that Grayson was trying to send him seems to have been received.
     
    “Just catching up on some rest before the big fight.” Grayson yawns again theatrically, wondering if he might be overdoing it. “What can I do for you Morrison?”
     
    Stunned silence from a man who usually has enough to say for both of them tells Grayson that he’s on the right track. He’s confused Morrison, reacted in a way that he would never have expected. Morrison at least suspects the way that Grayson feels about Adriana. There’s nothing that would surprise him more than Grayson acting like none of this drama matters to him anymore.
     
    “I wanted to make sure you were clear about your instructions for the fight tonight.” Morrison’s voice is tight, like he’s forcing the words out. He’d called to gloat, to dangle Adriana in front of Grayson again only to snatch her away, but now he is confused. He’s no longer in a situation that he is sure of and that lack of control is unnerving to him.
     
    “I’m clear. Anything else?” Grayson’s voice is flat, completely neutral, as if they were talking about the weather.
     
    Grayson can almost hear the cogs turning in Morrison’s brain as he casts around for something that will get a reaction out of him. “I thought you might want to discuss how to deal with the handover of Adriana after you throw the fight.”
     
    Grayson clenches his hand into a fist, forcing himself to keep calm at the mention of Adriana’s name. “That’s if she’s even still alive.” He has to force the words out, reminding himself that he’s playing the only hand he has left.
     
    Morrison chuckles lightly. “Is that what you’re concerned about? I can assure that she is more or less the same as you last found her. Mr. Elliott got a little carried away with her, but you know how these things work. Boys will be boys after all.”
     
    Grayson doesn’t speak until he’s sure that he can keep the intense emotion out of his voice. The idea of one of Morrison’s goons touching one hair on her head is almost more than he can bear. “If you’re really asking me to throw the biggest fight of my career and get my ass handed to me by a fighter I could beat with both eyes closed, then you’re going to have to give me more than your assurances, Morrison.” He holds his breath, waiting for the other man’s reply.
     
    “Kid, as I said before, you’re not exactly in the best bargaining position.” Morrison laughs dryly, and the coldness of it sends a shiver down Grayson’s spine.
     
    “Actually I think I am.” Grayson gets up, pacing around the room, expending the energy that’s building up inside of him at Morrison’s words. “You need me to do something for you. That puts me in a pretty good position I think.”
     
    He can almost hear Morrison growling. “What do you want?”
     
    Grayson looks up to the ceiling, forcing himself to remain calm and not let his emotions come between him and getting Adriana back. “I want Adriana to be at the fight. I want to see her and make sure that she’s alright. Then, and only then, will I do what you’ve asked.”
     
    Morrison is silent as he considers Grayson’s offer. “And why on earth would I agree to that?”
     
    “Because you want your money, Morrison. You and I both know that.” Grayson doesn’t wait for his reply, ending the call abruptly and forcing himself to pocket the cell that starts vibrating again insistently. He’s given Morrison the terms of their agreement and made sure to make it clear that without Adriana there’s no deal. He’d thrown out the challenge. Now, he just has to hope that Morrison is greedy enough and arrogant enough to throw caution to the wind and bring Adriana to a public place, where he can’t control all the variables.
     
    Grayson leaves Adriana’s apartment, his mind whirring as his plan becomes more and more definite in his own mind. He calls West.