Page 92 of All Your Hate

We switch to my favorite part. Punching.

“Hit me again,” Bones instructs.

Pulling my fist back, I punch him in the shoulder. He doesn’t move or flinch, he simply stands there and lets me hurt him.

“Shouldn’t we be using gloves or something for this?” I pant as I wipe the sweat from my face.

“If you want to train with me you’re doing it my way. I want you to feel every strike and imagine what it will feel like to hurt your enemies. Now give me one more.”

Doing the same again, I pull my arm back and aim for his other shoulder this time. I’m tempted to go for his pretty face, but I’m not that stupid.

“Again. You’re not focusing your mind in the right places.”

I’m glad my face is already bright red so he can’t tell I’m blushing.

Taking a deep breath in and out, I close my eyes and picture all the men that touched me. All the vile things I remember and the ones I don’t. Then I open my eyes and hit.

This time Bones grabs my fist before my knuckles connect with him and spins me until my back is to his chest. I’m caught off guard by the mirrors in front of us and I quickly look down to avoid my reflection.

My body feels different from when I first came here. My muscles are stronger and I’m getting back to the size I was before I was starved. Yet I still can’t bring myself to look at who I am now.

Even when I spent hours in the salon I spent the entire time looking everywhere but my reflection.

“That was much better. Look at how strong you’re becoming. You’re glowing.”

I struggle out of Bones’ grip and he looks at me in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m tired and sweaty. I’m definitely not glowing so don’t patronize me.”

He looks like he wants to say something, but decides to keep his mouth shut.

To change the subject I ask, “Do you have any leads yet?” We’ve not done anything since that chaotic night with Grayson. I want to be out there getting justice, but I know I need to make sure I’m strong enough to enact it properly.

“Nothing solid. It’s all just underground rumors.”

“What about the other girls from Onyx that are missing?”

“Still nothing new. Those that had family have had police reports filed, but the cops dropped the cases after they found nothing.”

“And Summer?”

“Sorry, little viper.” He offers me an apologetic smile. “You’ll get her back though, believe me.”

Bones has already told me he’s looked into social services and the police records, but they’re wiped. Whoever took her knew what they were doing.

Sighing, I rest my head against his shoulder. “I know you’re doing everything you can. I’m sorry to keep asking.”

I feel his arms wrap around me, holding me close and I press my body tighter to him to keep myself grounded. The dark thoughts come less and less when I’m with him.

“Ask as much as you need, my love.”

I hate that he has so much more patience for these things than I do. All I want to do is charge into the city and bust down every single door until I find her. Then I’ll do the same for the next city and the next until I’ve searched the entire world for her.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t stress yourself out. Leave the worrying to me. Just focus on your anger and what you’ll do with it.”

He’s right. Spiraling into my anxieties won’t help. I take a deep breath and untangle my emotions, pushing the unnecessary ones away and letting my rage simmer at the surface.

“How are things going with your father?” Bones doesn't tell me much about what’s going on at his company, but I know it’s been stressing him out. Like right now. His jaw tenses and I can feel him shutting me out again. “You can talk to me about these things. I want to help you.”

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