Page 37 of Revenge & Ruin

I need to stop thinking about it. I need to stop caring about it. I need to stop looking in the mirror because every time I do, I see the marks he left on my neck and chest, and suddenly, I’m back in that restroom again.

Distraction. That’s what I need. I glance at the clock on my bedside table. It’s still early, but my preferred gym will already be open. Maybe I can work off some of this frustration there.

Quickly changing into my workout clothes, I tie my hair back into a ponytail as I make my way down to the lobby.

As I pass, I shoot the receptionist a wink, but stop short when I see who’s standing before him.

Tall, broad shoulders. Shaggy dark hair tied in a lazy bun. Long, impatient fingers drumming on the countertop.

My mouth goes dry. There’s no fucking way.

Then the man turns, and I get a look at his face, and it’s not him.

I squish down the feeling of disappointment as I carry on, flushing about the fact my feet actually faltered at what I thought was the sight of him.

I need to get myself together. Quickly. I chant my mantra to myself again as I stride out into the city.

It’s been weeks now since I first noticed someone was tailing me. They were subtle and never actually approached me, but there was too much movement in the corner of my eye for it to be anything else.

Hacking into the Guild had only confirmed my suspicions. I would have been more thorough had I not been immediately booted out.

It had driven Leon insane, being forced not to react or give them any reason to pick a fight. Which is why I had suggested a business trip out of town, at least until I could convince Teo to stop.

Only…had I even managed that? He seemed to think my threats were beneath him. That I was bluffing.

Had stabbing him made him change his mind?

Either way, as I weave my way through the city, I feel the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Am I being paranoid, or is there still someone there monitoring my every move?

With a grunt of frustration, I push through the doors to the women's locker room and let them slam behind me, earning me a concerned look from a girl at the sinks. I offer her a sheepish wave in apology.

It’s a fairly exclusive setup, which makes this gym one of my personal favorites. Spanning over four floors, with a pool in the basement, there’s always a trainer around to correct my form or put together a new workout plan.

And on days when I feel too haggard even to face working out, the spa is more than accommodating.

I make my way up to the second floor today though, ready to hop on the treadmill and run until I forget my own damn name.

There’s something about the repetitiveness of shoving one foot in front of the other that is so mindlessly boring that it lulls my brain into a sort of sleep state.

And there’s nothing I want more than to notthinkfor a bit.

Shoving my headphones in, I begin my warm-up walk and stretch out my arms, longing for my brain to just shut the hell up.

You wouldn’t be this stiff if you hadn’t let him bend you over the?—

“Hey!”

I almost jump out of my skin at the sight of a man leaning against my treadmill, one muscled arm draped lazily over the center console, begging for attention.

“Can I help you?” I say as I remove my headphones, somewhat annoyed by the interruption.

Clearly noting the abrasive tone, he leans away from the console in faux offense. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

His voice is smooth as butter with just the right amount of teasing. I rake my eyes over him unashamedly, as I always do when an attractive man plucks up the courage to approach me.

Except this time, I feel the disappointment setting in way too soon.

His mop of sandy brown hair is too heavily styled. His muscles are too perfectly honed by repetition at the gym insteadof manual labor. Even his dark eyes feel more like murky water than the endless night sky.

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