Few call me Rion, but you can call me Junior.
Life was easy here on 8 Mile until the day I was told to leave Detroit.
When my dad died, the life I built at his request ended and I stepped back into the world I was born to live in—taking bets and when necessary, collecting on them by force.
I was raised in a man’s world, a world that embraced me, that I understood. Or so I thought.
One collection gone wrong was all it took to change the course of my life forever.
A homeless, bitter ex-Marine squatting in the property I was taking back changed everything.
Loyal Hart was hiding from the ghosts of war. He never wanted to be found, but I wasn't raised to leave a man behind. Despite his nasty words and dirty looks, I knew a good man when I saw one. This angry man had the edge I needed to get results in my line of work, so I hired him. He proved to be more damaged than I ever thought possible, and too soon I realized that I couldn’t live without him.
Loyal found it easier to battle his feelings for me than he did his own demons. Though he kept me safe, even putting his body at risk in the process, he fought even harder to keep me at arm’s length. When true danger came, I saw what he was really made of, and why he lied to keep himself a secret.
A smart bookie always knows her odds.
So I took the risk and bet it all on the man who wouldn't even bet on himself.