CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MONDAY afternoon before evening classes started, Knox called a meeting with all the MMA instructors. He could’ve just kept it to Black Arts instructors, but he invited Blue and his crew from ABC because chances were good the two programs would meld into one in the next year.

“The Black Arts MMA program needs a kick in the ass. And the faults with the program don’t lie solely with the instructors, but with our organization as a whole. For the past few months we’ve been letting Joe Blow off the street take part in MMA training as long as he can pay the training fees. On the business side, that’s not a bad move. Steady income keeps you all employed, and the students who want to excel will. Or so we thought. But what I’m seeing is our trainers giving equal instructions to the guys who’ll never go anywhere outside of the occasional smoker as they give to the guys who have serious potential.

“This is Sensei Black’s dojo. Even when I’m temporarily in charge, I’d never take action to change how he runs things. But I do feel that the MMA program is in its infancy here, and since Sensei hasn’t been as involved in it, changes need to be made so it will have the reputation that Black Arts does. An incredible opportunity has presented itself to us.” Knox looked at Ito, Fisher, and Deacon. “I will put your teaching skills up against anyone’s. So we’re looking to enhance what we’ve already got, not demolish it.”

He took a breath and looked at Shiori. She tapped her wrist, telling him to get on with it.

“Maddox Byerly is looking to move from LA and find a new challenge.”

“Whoa.” Fisher held up his hand. “The Maddox Byerly?”

“Yes. Shiori and I had a video conference call with him last week. We gave him our offer and time to think it over. He got back to us today.” Knox grinned. “He accepted! He’ll be moving to Denver in the next month.”

Everyone in the room started high-fiving one another. After they settled down, Knox said, “We’ve gotta keep this quiet until Maddox makes the announcement. At this point I’m not sure when he’ll tell people he’s revitalizing our program, or what.”

“Revitalizing?” Deacon said. “Hell, he’ll reinvent it.”

“The other thing is since Ronin is out of pocket, he’s not aware of this development.”

Shiori leaned forward. “We’ve signed nondisclosure agreements, so we can’t address specifics, but between us here in this room, I personally guaranteed Maddox’s salary for a year. If Sensei doesn’t want to re-up Maddox’s contract after that, it’s his business. I just didn’t want to see an opportunity wasted. I knew if we didn’t make the best offer we could afford, Maddox would go elsewhere.”

Half a million dollars. Knox still couldn’t wrap his head around having that kind of money in the bank, not to mention lending it without hesitation. Shiori’s phone call to her bank to move some money around lasted ten minutes. Within an hour they had the funds to make the offer.

“What’s the catch?” Deacon said.

“Maddox is starting the MMA program from scratch. He’ll hold auditions for fighters. After a one-on-one conversation with candidates, he’ll make his selections. It’ll be structured the same way—fighters paying us a training fee.”

Ito raised his hand. As the senior member of the dojo training staff, at least age-wise, Ito’s opinion held a lot of weight. “What are the chances he’ll want to hire his own training staff?”

“I don’t know. But we spent our entire budget on his salary, so there’s very limited budget for additional instructors,” Shiori said. “We e-mailed him bios from you three.” She turned and addressed Blue, Gil, Fee, and Terrel. “As well as all of yours since we’ll have crossover. I’d suggest, too, that your best fighters audition for him.”

“I’d ask if ABC would be expected to kick in for Maddox’s salary, but it sounds like Ronin isn’t kicking in either,” Blue said.

More laughter.

“And none of this would be possible if it weren’t for Gil,” Knox pointed out. “He’s the one with the personal family connection to Maddox, and he alerted us to the opportunity. So thanks, Gil.”

He inclined his head.

Fee raised her hand. “Is Maddox interested in a women’s fighting program?”

“I don’t know.”

She harrumphed and exchanged a look with Shiori.

Okay, what was that about? “Any other questions?” He paused and looked around the room. “Then we’re done.”