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The prospect curses once he sees he fucked up. He was given an option. He didn’t take it. Twice spoke back to the brothers. Even complained about his duties. Yeah, he’s about to get a serious beatdown. Or maybe just more bitch duties. Something I see a ton of prospects doing all the time, but you can also tell when it’s for punishment and when it’s just ’cause.

“Come on.” Walker rises from his seat. “Get your shit.”

“Where we going?” I don’t move, just look up at him as he makes his way to my table.

“Gym. Prospect was right about needing to let off steam.”

“And you think you can watch me while doing whatever it is you’re planning on doing?” I throw the prospect’s words in his face like a challenge.

He shrugs. “Guess we’ll find out. Let’s go.”

He grabs my arm and pulls me from my seat. I yank out of his grasp as a protest for being touched, not because it hurt. It was surprisingly gentle, even if it was a firm hold.

I make my way to Atom’s room, because that’s where I’m staying while he’s out on whatever adventure he wanted to go out on. He’s been gone a week now, and I have no clue when he’s coming back. No one is saying, and I’m not asking.

Hell, he might never come back.

The sudden thought has me stopping just as the door shuts behind me. Atom has become a constant in my life. Whether I want to admit it, like it or not, it is what it is. He’s there.

Some might call that reliable. Dependable.

I don’t know how to call it what it is. That my captor treats me… well, decently, that he’s there when I need something to the point that I don’t actually need anything beyond the desire for my freedom. He provides for me in a way someone who cares would.

But it’s a farce. A scam. A trick to get me to trust him and for him to get something from me. Though I still don’t know what that is yet.

I change into what I own that passes for workout attire and head back to the main room, going up to Walker as he talks with Domino and Menace.

“They’re coming too. Domino, I think you know, and this is his old lady, Viv, or Menace depending on her mood,” he informs me as Domino snickers. I hope they read my look that I don’t give a fuck, for their names or whether they’re joining us.

Because I don’t. He comes, the entire club comes, none of it matters.

I won’t admit it to them, but I actually need this. Need time in the gym.

Each night without a workout, I have nightmares. I thought I could handle them—been living with them all my life, it seems—but they’re getting worse. Enough that I question how long I can endure them without taking steps. Drastic steps to end my torment.

I’ve never thought of myself as the suicidal type, but a girl can only take so much. And I’m at my breaking point. I just know it. One more thing and the scales will be tipped enough that I won’t care that I’m killing myself, only how I am.

My life has gotten dark before. I’ve been through shit that kids should never have to experience. Seen things that most adults never even think exist outside of a work of fiction.

I’ve lived and survived it all.

But somehow, a week in the clubhouse seems to be my greatest trial.

I blame it on not working out. At rarely seeing something other than these four walls.

Anything and everything rather than admit it has anything to do with someone not being around.

I refuse to have feelings for my captor. It’s not even a good romance trope. It’s stupid. Idiotic.

And yet you’re as bad as Bass without his woman around.

I glare at my thoughts, but since they aren’t a person, I just choose to glare at everyone around me, then make my way to the SUV we’re taking.

We head to the only gym in town, Misfits Gym. It’s also connected to the Hounds. I think one of them gave money to it or something.

I hate it on principle because of that, but I have to hand it to the place. It’s nice. Plenty of machines for everyone to use, plus an indoor track, attached spa, and coffee shop. They even have a parkour area for the kids.

Walker signs me in since I’ve never been here before, and he stays up front with the other two we brought as they talk to some of the owners or something. I don’t stick around to be introduced.