Chapter 7 - The Kingdom Called Vanguard
Vanguard Combat Club occupied a renovated warehouse near the river.
Its exterior walls displayed enormous photographs of Ryan holding championship belts. Inside, rows of heavy bags surrounded a professional cage. Young fighters trained beneath banners advertising energy drinks, sports equipment and private medical clinics.
Ryan did not officially own the gym.
His manager, Calvin Price, did.
But everyone understood who controlled it.
Ryan decided which athletes received coaching, sponsorships and access to important fights. Those who questioned him lost opportunities.
Two days after Claire left, Ryan held a meeting.
“Someone stole private information,” he announced.
Thirty fighters stood around the cage.
Ryan did not mention Claire’s name.
He did not need to.
“She may try to manipulate some of you,” he continued. “Do not speak to the police without a lawyer from the gym.”
A young fighter named Noah Bennett looked toward the floor.
Three months earlier, Noah had been injured during training. Ryan had ordered him to compete anyway because canceling the match would cost the gym money.
Noah had lost and required surgery.
The gym promised to cover his medical bills.
Instead, the payments appeared in Claire’s files as money given directly to Noah.
He had never received a dollar.
When the meeting ended, Noah found a note inside his locker.
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LOYALTY IS REMEMBERED.
SO IS BETRAYAL.
