Page 21 of Fixation of the Mind

Roux smiled, and I knew that our truce would hold for at least tonight. We could always figure our shit out later.

Chapter 8

When we talked about Roux training me, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. He wouldn't take it easy on me, and while I wasn’t completely out of shape, I was nowhere near capable of what he was showing me on my first day.

“What the hell have you been doing all your life? Sitting on your ass!?”

Gritting my teeth, I cursed him for the five hundredth time, promising myself that if I ever caught my breath again, I would murder this man. I would wait until his back was turned, then I would stab him. I would stab him so good. The visceral idea of stabbing him, hearing him cry out in a fraction of the pain I was feeling, was the only way I was making it though my twentieth lap around the open-concept gym.

This was only day one, and he was already talking about how I needed to gain not only endurance but be able to fight through the fatigue. How the hell was I going to make it through this week?

“After you’re done with twenty-five laps, we’ll switch from endurance to stamina with weights and high rep counts and little to no down time. Let's go! Let’s go!” He clapped after me, and I turned and growled at him.

The smile on his face was the biggest and brightest I had ever seen. You would think he’d just won the lottery with that stupid pretty face.

As soon as I finished the laps, I collapsed on the ground. My stomach clenched as I tried not to heave. He threw down a water bottle, and I grabbed it like I was in the desert and hadn’t seen water in days.

“Don’t drink it too fast,” he barked before turning away from me to set up some weights. I threw my shirt over my head since it was soaked in sweat and fantasized about more inventive ways to murder him.

Keeping my back turned away from him, I nursed my water, really not wanting to throw up. In the mirror across from me, I snuck a few peeks at what he was setting up until his gaze shifted toward me. For a second, his eyes went wide, his jaw slack. I was so furious I almost turned around to yell at him when I realized I only had my sports bra on. Oh shit, he can see my scar. Should I put that sweaty shirt back on? I really didn’t want to.

He gave me far too short of a time to decide or recuperate before I was called over to the weights he had set up with a deeper frown marring his face. My leg muscles throbbed with each shaky step, and the knowledge that I probably looked like an old woman crossing the street only intensified my glare. I expected him to mention the scar on my back, but he didn't. He acted like he had seen nothing, so I let it go too.

“Quit giving me those seductive eyes and get that sweet ass over here. We’re going to do high-weight and isometric exercises until you fall on your ass in front of me.” He gave me a wolfish smile, like he was thoroughly enjoying himself, and I finally realized what he wanted. He wanted me to hate him. He wanted me to fail. He was hoping I would try to quit.

Rage filled my veins, fueling my muscles with a renewed vigor. I stood up straight, chin held high, and made my way over to him. I threw myself into his stupid training, reminding myself that I was going to prove him wrong. I was going to shove it in his face, and I did.

I kept it up, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me crumble like he was hoping for. When he finally looked at his watch and growled that we were done, I collapsed onto the floor like I’d been held up by strings. All I could do was laugh. I did it. I fucking did it, and I don’t know how. I laughed and laughed like a crazy person while he stood above me, forehead wrinkled and a thin line across his mouth. I was sure he was either horrifyingly amazed or exponentially pissed off that I had made it through his grueling day or horror.

Even with him standing over me with his intimidating stance, I was so fatigued that I couldn't get up even when he told me to. Eventually, he had to carry me into the car then into the house. I giggled at him the whole way, my body being so weak I was growing delirious.

The second I was set on the couch, Ravi was on me, and he was pissed. He hovered over me, asking me if I needed anything in between hurling every curse word in his arsenal at his brother.

Rion stared at me for a second before a small smirk graced his lips. It only lasted a second, but I caught it. He was proud of me. Then he turned his icy stare on Roux and told him that I was going to need to take it slow tomorrow to heal up. He even went so far as to lecture Roux about time being of the essence and not to prioritize “pissing matches” over my well-being.

We had a relatively quiet dinner. I focused on my food like a ravenous beast, Ravi sent laser eyes at Roux the entire time, and Roux was busy glaring back at Ravi. Eventually, his eyes fell on me. I could be mistaken, but for a flash of a second, his gaze held respect. As soon as we were done, I was claimed by Rion, who said he had a surprise for me.

It seemed easy enough to follow him, but when I got up, my muscles groaning at me, I knew waking up tomorrow was going to be a new form of torture. Shuffling my feet, I followed him to the downstairs office. He opened the door, and I found the whole room had been transformed into a bedroom.

“Since you still don’t feel comfortable sleeping in any of our rooms…” His mouth grew tight before he continued. “I refuse to let you sleep on the couch any longer, so we made up a room for you.”

Taking a step past him, I looked around the space. It had all the normal things: a dresser, nightstand, vanity, and some floating shelves. Everything was modern and fresh, like it had just come out of the box. The color scheme was deep blacks and mahogany browns with a pop of gray here and there. It gave the whole room a luxurious feel.

This room was nicer than theirs; hell, it was nicer than any room I’d ever been in. I didn't know what to say. I half-expected Rion to tell me to pick one of their rooms tonight, not giving me the option of my own.

“Thank you,” I whispered, unable to look away from the room.

Someone huffed behind me, but I ignored it, knowing it was Roux. Opening one of the drawers, I saw they had already moved everything I had into this room. It was a lovely gesture, but it was all… too much.

I had turned around to say just that when Ravi stepped forward.

“You know the bathroom is across the hallway,” Ravi responded in an abnormally high pitch. “I filled it with some toiletries that you might need. You're going to be with us for a while, and I wanted to make it comfortable for you. Just tell me if you need anything else.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, giving me a meek, hesitant smile that was unlike him.

Nodding back to him, I gave him all of my attention as I said, “Thank you, Ravi,” then it was Rion’s turn, “Thank you, Rion.” Finally, I turned to the grump in the back and heaved out, “Thanks, Roux.”

Rion nodded, grabbing the door handle as he said, “Good night, Rin. We’ll see you in the morning.” Ravi waved at me like I was going on a trip, while his brother walked away. I went to the door, and I was just about to lock it behind them when I heard Ravi whine.

“This is the sweetest kind of torture. Why does she have to be so close yet so far?”

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