Miller looked around.

“So I hear.”

“You come in here threatening one of my fighters—”

“I haven’t threatened anyone.”

Dustin laughed nervously.

“You came dressed like you’re about to chop wood and started giving speeches.”

Miller looked at him.

“You’d know if I threatened you.”

Silence.

Dustin stepped forward.

Jake Turner moved between them.

Not fully.

Just enough.

Coach Nolan glared.

“Jake.”

Jake ignored him.

“Sergeant Miller.”

Miller nodded.

“You know me?”

“My uncle served with Gunnery Sergeant Cole.”

Miller remembered the name.

“Third Battalion?”

“Yes, sir.”

Jake looked toward Dustin.

Then lowered his voice.

“You shouldn’t be here alone.”

Dustin heard.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jake immediately backed away.

Miller noticed.

Fear.

Real fear.

Coach Nolan pointed toward the door again.

“Last chance.”

Miller took out his phone.

“Good.”

Nolan frowned.

“Good what?”

“You said it clearly.”

“Said what?”

“Last chance.”

Miller tapped the screen.

Nolan suddenly noticed a small red recording icon.

His expression changed.

Miller continued.

“I’ve been recording since I walked in.”

Dustin lunged for the phone.

Miller shifted sideways.

That was all.

One small movement.

Dustin missed him completely.

Several fighters stopped breathing.

Miller didn’t strike.

Didn’t shove.

He simply stepped away.

“Try that again,” Miller said quietly, “and there’ll be no confusion about who started it.”

Dustin’s face reddened.

Coach Nolan grabbed his shoulder.

“Stop.”

Miller looked around.

“You boys want to know why I’m here?”

Nobody answered.

“My daughter is in St. Mary’s with four broken ribs.”

Jake looked sick.

Miller continued.

“She says Dustin did it.”

Dustin shouted:

“She’s lying!”

Miller held up the flash drive.

“She also says this gym has been running illegal fights.”

Nolan’s face hardened.

“And I have video.”

One fighter cursed under his breath.

Another looked at Coach.

Jake closed his eyes.

Dustin stared at Miller.

Then he smiled again.

But now it was forced.

“You have nothing.”

Miller nodded.

“Then you won’t mind if the police watch it.”

That destroyed the smile completely.

👉 Coach Nolan wasn’t afraid Miller could beat Dustin—he was afraid the old Marine had arrived ten minutes before the police warrant he’d spent months trying to avoid.

Chapter 5 - The Locked Office

Coach Nolan turned toward his office.

Miller immediately noticed.

“Don’t.”

Nolan stopped.

“Don’t what?”

“Whatever you’re thinking.”

“You giving orders now?”

“No.”

Miller looked toward Jake.

“Just advice.”

Jake understood first.

“He’s going to wipe the computers.”

Every fighter turned.

Coach Nolan’s face twisted.