Page 10 of Captivating

Fucker.

“Don’t kid yourself. Mom isn’t going to back off until she knows you and Noah are safe.” Dillan hops out of the SUV, and I try to ignore the butterflies taking flight in my stomach the closer I get to the gym doors.

When Xander’s door slams shut behind me, I nail him with a glare. “My uncle is teaching the class, and he’s a former Navy SEAL, Xander. I guarantee I’m safe in there.”

“Lilah—”

“Xander... Please. Just give me some room to breathe.” I drop my voice, so Dillan can’t hear me. “I’m literally begging you. I need some space, or I’m going to suffocate.”

He stares at me, unflinching, and I cringe.

“You really going to come inside?” I ask, pissed. This is ridiculous.

One eyebrow shoots up in answer, and I turn away and hurry to catch up with Dillan.

“Lurch coming in with us?” Dillan looks less than thrilled.

“Lurch? Who the hell is Lurch?”

“You know...” She yanks on the front door of Crucible and looks at me. “The big dude fromThe Addams Family. Lurch.”

When I don’t respond, she shakes her head in frustration. “Is he at least going to stay quiet and far away?”

I hear the question, but any answer I have gets stuck in my throat as I’m assaulted by memories of the last time I was here.

Hands on my face and fury in his eyes.

Like he had any right to be furious.

“Hey, girls.” Uncle Cooper interrupts my trip down memory lane before the wreckage can break me. “Your mom told me you were coming today.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head, then Dillan’s. “How long are you home, Lilah?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll find out next week.” I scan the giant room, completely blindsided by how much this place looks exactly the same, before my eyes stop on the cage. “Oh...”

Killian stands outside the cage like a gorgeous warrior god in his gym shorts and his hands wrapped. Sweat glistens on his enormously muscled bare chest, and my mouth waters.

Cooper looks behind him with a knowing smirk as Killian slips a white t-shirt on.

Shame . . .

“Don’t be intimidated by Killer, girls. He’s going to be helping us with class today.”

“What?” I snap, and Dillan giggles.

“I volunteer as tribute,” she murmurs, and Uncle Cooper ignores her.

“Is that your bodyguard, Lilah?” He looks less than impressed when I nod. “Is he any good?”

“Well, he wouldn’t stay outside,” Dillan answers for me.

“Good. He shouldn’t. You need someone good, Tink. I’ll check him out and let you know if he’s it.” Uncle Cooper left the SEALs forever ago and mainly manages money now. But we allknow he does more than that. Elite stuff he’ll never admit. I’d sure hate to be the person who pisses him off.

I feel eyes on me. Bright green eyes that sear my skin and hurt my heart.

Damn him.

Refusing to acknowledge those eyes or the way I know they’re moving closer, I smile at Uncle Coop. “So, am I going to be able to kick someone’s ass after this class?”

“It’s self-defense, princess. You’re not learning to fight. You’re learning to defend yourself.” That voice. Grr...

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