Page 45 of Uncaged Obsessions

“This doesn’t look like training and I know if you’re at my gym, then that’s what you’re doing,” Adam’s voice calls out, and I smirk without looking back at him.

“You both can get in trouble; I was trying to do what I’m supposed to.” I shrug.

“Yeah, because you’re agood boy.”Max looks pointedly at me.

I jump up and grab her out of Caine’s arms and prepare for a takedown, but she manages to stop me, and I appreciate her effort. I half expect Caine to interrupt our impromptu sparring,but he doesn’t. I move slowly so Max is able to get some practice in, but I don’t let her win.

After a couple minutes, I manage to submit her and she lets out a frustrated groan when she taps.

“Not fair,” she declares.

“One day you’ll beat me, little one.”

She scoffs.

“Probably won’t ever beat me, killer. But I’ll let you take over my body whenever you’d like,” Caine teases and she rolls her eyes.

“Who’s sticking around for classes?” Adam asks, and I look at the time, noticing the first one is in about fifteen minutes, realizing I truly lost track of time.

“I don’t think I have a choice,” I shrug.

“I am,” Max chimes in.

“I think Alexander wanted to spar with me.” Caine shrugs.

“Okay, no fucking around then. We’re here to work. Play time can be at home.”

I wrap an arm around Max. “I intend to havelotsof play time with you later.”

I feel the way she shivers against me, and I smile.

“Let’s go,” Adam announces.

Though it’s the last thing I want to do, I part from Max and get focused for the remainder of the day. For some reason I can’t help but notice something is up with Caine. It feels like morethan his usual shit but I know he’s not one to talk about it, and I feel like Max senses it too.

If anyone is going to get something out of him, it’s going to be her.

CHAPTER 26

MAX

Caine won’t admit that there’s something wrong, but I can see it. He’s not as closed off as he wants to believe he is. I may not be able to read him like a book, but I can see through his bull shit. He wasn’t there when I woke up this morning, and Drew and Adam didn’t know where he was either.

He showed up at Uncaged tense and kissed me like his life depends on it. Which isn’t unusual, but I could see something swimming in his eyes. Almost like worry.

After class, I change into my work clothes at the gym before heading to The Tavern for my shift. As I’m walking in my name is called, and I look up to see that asshole, Officer Doogie. I stop at the door, squaring my shoulders. “Can I help you?”

“Dunno, maybe. Just heard some news about a murder, out east a bit. Where’d you say you’re from again?”

“I didn’t.”

“Well from what I heard you used to know the victim.”

“If I did, I don’t care to know them now. I left for a reason.”

“Hm, heard you were engaged to him.”

I don’t say anything, just glare at him, waiting for him to continue.

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