Women of the Otherworld 10.5 - Counterfeit Magic by Kelley Armstrong

going to let you come with me.”
     
    “You’re too kind.”
     
    * * * *
     
    When Travis Nichols opened the door and saw both of us standing there, he stood there, gaping, then snapped his jaw shut and waved us inside with a smile as phony as his hair-weave.
     
    “Come in, come in. So happy to see you. Both of you.” He cleared his throat. “Georgia, could I speak to you for a moment? If you’ll excuse us, Miss… Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
     
    “Manager,” I said. “Ms. Ex Manager.”
     
    He stumbled and stammered about misunderstandings, and how he hoped he hadn’t stepped on any toes, and he didn’t realize Georgia was already represented or he’d never…
     
    “It’s okay,” I said. “You were right. She needs someone else. Someone with experience.”
     
    I followed Savannah into the living room, turning to wave the startled Nichols through as if he was the guest.
     
    I continued, “I’m not a professional manager. Just a friend looking out for Georgia. Now that she’s won her first official bout, I’m happy to step aside. But, being a friend, I’m not going to just walk away. I’m here to hear what you have to offer and help her make a decision.”
     
    That put him at ease, and he laid out his offer. I had to nudge Savannah a couple of times to remind her to at least appear interested. She was restless, shifting and squirming and trying to hurry his pitch along so we could get to our part.
     
    Finally he finished. I asked him some questions. Savannah didn’t. I doubted she’d been paying enough attention to know what to ask. Then, as we relaxed with coffee and slid into the “getting to know you” part of the interview, I asked, “So, were you at the club last night on business? Do you represent one of the fighters?”
     
    “Davy Jones.” He laughed. “And, yes, that’s his real name, poor kid.” His smile faded and he reached for his cell phone, checking it. “I’ve left him a few messages. That was a bad fall he took last night.”
     
    “I saw. What happened?”
     
    “Lousy refereeing, that’s what. Believe me, I’m going to have a talk with Ethan about that. Clearly Leo cast one of those knockback spells right at Davy’s head, and that’s against the rules. He’s just lucky my boy didn’t get a concussion or I’d have his ass kicked off the circuit.”
     
    “Is the refereeing there always so bad?” Savannah asked. “Ethan was talking about setting me up in a match against Tommy, but maybe it’s not the best place for me to start a career.”
     
    “You against Tommy?” Nichols’ dark eyes glittered. “That’s gold, girl. Doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’d get your name traveling through the circuit. Tommy’s good. Damn good. Too good for…” He stopped, shrugged. “Well, you know.”
     
    “He’s professionally trained, isn’t he?” I said.
     
    “Hell, yeah. State champion in high school, and that’s just boxing. He racked up medals in wrestling, too. Everyone expected him to hit the pro circuit after graduating. But Ethan wanted him to go to college. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Ethan only wanted the best for his little brother. He didn’t get to finish college himself. Their folks died when he was in his first year, and Tommy was only a kid and… Well, I’m sure you don’t want to hear this.”
     
    “Actually, we do,” I said. “If Georgia’s going to fight at the Gallantes ’ club, I’d appreciate a little background. So Ethan raised Tommy?”
     
    “Right. He sent him off to college. Can’t remember what he majored in. Didn’t matter, really, because everyone figured he’d graduate and go back to fighting. Only he didn’t. Not on the pro circuit, anyway. He got a job working at a gym downtown.”
     
    “What happened?” I asked. “Was he injured?”
     
    “No, it’s just…” Nichols rubbed his mouth. “Word is , Ethan didn’t want him playing pro. He didn’t think Tommy had what it