“Turn around.” The order leaves me sharp.
He doesn’t. Instead, his eyes fill with amusement, and I realize this bastard is enjoying making me suffer. That’s what this is to him, isn’t it? Some form of entertainment?
My hands clench up hard, tight enough to make them shake.
I can’t remember the last time I wanted to kill someone.
“I’ve got to keep a close eye on you. Maybe if you didn’t spend so much time threatening me, I’d be able to spare you an ounce of trust to give you my back.” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “I mean, you might try to kill me for all I know.”
As all of my emotions bubble up, something else comes with them. Something I don’t like one bit. Humiliation. Heat starts at my throat, and I feel every inch of it dragging up my throat and toward my cheeks. “Please. I don’t want you to see me naked, alright?”
No matter what, I won’t ever let anyone see me without clothes. That’s the one thing that’s stopped me from ever going through with giving myself to someone.
He parts his lips, ready to say something else, but stops himself at my sudden grimace. He tears his eyes away and lets out a long, exaggerated sigh. Rubbing the back of his neck, he turns. “Make me regret turning around, and I’ll return the favor tenfold. Two minutes, alright?”
Swallowing down the immediate thought of thanking him, I have to remind myself that he shouldn’t be in here in the first place. Knowing I can’t hand out even a sliver of trust, I’m forced to hope he’ll keep his word.
Stumbling to yank my clothes off, I don’t test his words. Replacing my shirt with a tank top, I hesitate when it comes to my jeans. Taking in a shaky inhale, I force them down.
Penelope and I may be identical in the face, but I think that’s where the matching stops. Below the collar, while she’s perfect and flawless, I’m… not.
I’ve got scars. A lot of them. The ones on my arms and chest aren’t too impressive. Earned in brawls and a few back-and-forths, those are badges I’ve earned. However, the scars that linger lower are more shameful than anything else.
The faded white lines on my thighs have become less visible over the years. Still, in the right light, they’re impossible to ignore. When I think about anyone seeing them, they burn like the cuts were freshly made.
The last person I need to see this flaw of mine is someone who enjoys the sound of his own voice.
“Thirty seconds,” he calls out, picking up on my pause.
Huffing under my breath, I snatch a pair of sweats to pull up on my hips. I can’t even insult him, not without risking him changing his mind.
Once I’m covered, I’m moving past him. Hardly to my surprise, he follows.
“Where are we going?” Curious enough to ask near my shoulder, I fight the urge to shove an elbow in his face.
Breathing in deep enough to make my lungs expand to their full capacity, I somehow keep my words even. “Somewhere to get my anger out without punching you.”
3
Jinx
Leaning against the wall, knees drawn to my chest and arms hanging loosely, I watch as Raven swings at the punching bag dangling from a support beam.
When the nexttwackfills the room, I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking as her knuckles meet the bag.
She’s thinking of my handsome face, I’m sure.
“You know there are gloves so you don’t injure yourself, right?” Calling out to her, I’m easily ignored. Sighing under my breath, I drag my eyes away from her and take in the empty room.
While I get that people wouldn’t want to tire themselves out before the big day tomorrow, I wouldn’t turn down even a talking buddy. Kansas is too busy playing bodyguard to Diesel and Ruby. I miss my best friend, man.
With the sweep of her leg, she kicks the bag next. She wasn’t kidding about releasing her anger.
By now, she’s collected a thin layer of sweat clinging to her cheeks and throat.
Sighing under my breath, I’m forced to watch her move. Not like there’s anything more interesting to take in. She hears my boredom and sends a frown in my direction. After throwing a few more punches and hearing me sigh again, she pauses to face me.
“Tired of watching? You can always find something better to do with your time. Or… we can fight.” All too serious, she jerks her chin toward the gloves. “If you want.”
