Page 12 of Consume Me

Mia still avoids my glance, and it shouldn’t bother me, but it fucking does. Ever since she crashed into my life, all I wanted was for her to stop looking at me. I can’t stand it now that my wish has become a reality.

Abigail approaches me. “Don’t go to sleep. We need to talk.”

Bailey kisses my cheek. “Let it out, Blake.”

I don’t intend to hide that part of me ever again.

I offer her a nod, and I notice what Mia is wearing. My nostrils flare at the tight dress accentuating her sinful body.

Rein yourself in. She was never yours and never will be.

Alone with the guys, Kaden stomps toward the basement, followed by Hunter.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I ask Dane, who hasn’t stopped glaring at me.

“My fucking problem is that Abigail was overcome worrying about you. She cried herself to sleep, thinking it was her fault. You should have fucking stayed, not disappeared when it was convenient for you.”

“Dane, don’t make me hurt you.”

“Let’s see if you can.”

Fine. These assholes think they can take me down. I’ll show them they can’t.

Once in the gym, Kaden is the first to hop into the boxing ring.

I peer at my battered knuckles. I can still feel the bones crunching and all the blood I drew from my opponents. Yet, when I look at my former brother and best friend, the need to protect him is still there. But if I show any weakness, he’ll think he can get through me. I know Kaden. He was mad that I used Celine for my plan to take Felix and Caleb down. He needed time to process it, but my leaving was something he didn’t see coming.

I enter the ring, cracking my neck.

Kaden says nothing as he lunges at me. I avoid his right hook flying past my ear and punch him straight in his stomach.

He stumbles back but recovers quickly.

“You held back, asshole,” he spits.

“Yes, but I won’t anymore. You’re a good fighter, but I fucking destroy good fighters. Your ego is too big for that. Get out of the ring before I hurt you.”

He comes at me in a flash, raining punches until he finds an opening and jabs me in the chin. And then the fight is on. We don’t stop until I have him on the mat. His face is a bit bruised, but he also got in a few punches on his own.

“Celine won’t like this,” I tsk.

“Fuck you.”

He rolls us over, and I sigh when we’re back on our feet. I love to fight, but not against them. The story of my life––doing things I don’t want for the greater good.

“You’re a fucking disappointment,” he says, hitting me again, and in the next moment, I send him flying back.

“Stay down this time,” I snarl.

Hunter comes next and says to Kaden, “My turn.”

When Hunter helps Kaden up, I see their friendship and an unpleasant feeling hits my chest.

I haven’t fought against Hunter, and I always let my new opponents attack me a few times to learn their attack strategy. But once I figure that out, it’s the endgame for them.

“Are you even human?” he asks, awe and incredulity battling in his tone as we engage in a violent dance of kicks and punches.

No, I’m not.

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