Page 5 of Untouchable

He waves me off. “Ah. I just do what I can.” I stand from my seat and slap him on the shoulder, heading to the bar to close out our tab. Mikey and Bodine follow me out, and we head our separate ways. This is probably my least favorite part of everyday. Having to go back home to an empty building, a quiet room, and nothing to look forward to.

My eyes fly open almost robotically as the alarm that goes off at 5 AM every day begins ringing, forcing me out of bed and into a routine that’s meant to trick my brain into thinking we’re happy. I do a cold plunge for a dopamine rush, run two miles to warm back up, then do whatever workout is on the schedule in the gym we have at the club. It’s one of my favorite places in this whole building, simply because I don’t have to go to a public gym and worry about being around people I don’t know.

Today is boxing day with Bodine, so I’m not surprised to see his bag already in the gym when I arrive. What Iamsurprised to see is his body flush against Katarina’s, with her halfway inside the old storage closet. She laughs and for some reason it pisses me off. I drop my bag on the floor, creating a loud enough thud to encourage Bodine to back the fuck away from her.

“Shit, Ace. I didn’t hear you come in.”

I narrow my eyes at him, seeing his face turn red under my glare before I turn it towards Katarina. I watch her throat work as she swallows, her eyes void of emotion as she looks between me and Bodine.

“Um, thanks again.” She smiles at him, and he returns it with one of his own.

“No problem Kitty Kat.”

What the fuck?

She rolls her eyes at him. “Ew, do not call me that.” Her voice is all tease as she walks across the room, stopping in front of me. I know she’s waiting for me to move out of her way, but I take my time before doing so. Looking into the box she’s holding, I seeit’s full of photography supplies. Different sized lenses, a bag, a pan, and some clips. I forgot she always wanted to develop her own photos. When my eyes finally meet hers, her harsh glare is already searing into my face.

“Do I have to say a password to get you to move?” The bite to her tone amuses me.

“Do youknowthe password?” There’s not one. I’m just curious what she’ll come up with.

“How about this. Fuck off, Ace.” She marches past me, her blonde hair caressing my arms as she firmly pushes against my body to ensure I’ll move. I turn around and watch as her boots silently carry her down the hallway. Her black cutoffs and hoodie strike me as a cry for help from the girl who once wore nothing but bright floral sundresses and a smile brighter than the sun. Now? She’s like a grim reaper with blonde locks—wearing her leather jacket like a cloak and her piercing eyes are her scythe—ready to take out anyone who dares look into them long enough.

“So…you ready?” I turn back around to see Bodine getting his gloves on.

“You’re dead meat if Lenny ever sees some shit like that, you know that right?”

He scoffs, throwing my gloves at me. “Shut up, it was nothing.”

“You sure were quick to unpeel yourself from her backside when you heard me come in.”

He lets out a loud laugh, outstretching his arm in the direction of the closet they were in. “She was reaching for a heavy ass box full of expensive photography equipment and it slipped. All I did was make sure it didn’t fall on her head.” I stare at him, and his eyes grow wider—sassier. “What was I supposed to do, just watch it hit her and be like,“Damn, that sucks?” I ignore his question and tap my gloves together.

“Gloves up.” He shakes his head at me, and we get on with our workout. Both of us dodgealmostevery punch the other throws.

“You know I’m just looking out for you, right?” I finally say.

He nods. “Yeah, man. I know.”

The last thing we need around here is someone fucking around with Katarina and causing problems within the club. So as long as he keeps his flirting verbal, and keeps his fucking dick away from her, all will remain in order.

“Hey, why the fuck does she seem so mad at you anyways? I mean, I know Kat can be…well,catty, but that was…” He whistles, unable to come up with words, apparently.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

CHAPTER 4

Katarina

“SHUT UP, TELL ME EVERYTHING.”

“You do realize you’re allowed to wear another color other than black, right?” Tabitha asks, looking at the clothes in my hands as we walk around the store.

I roll my eyes at her. “Tabs, look at me.” She stops and turns, her head tilting when she stops. “What am I wearing right now?” I hold my arms out to the side to give her an unobstructed view of my outfit. Her eyes are the ones to roll now.

“Not black,” she mumbles.

“There we go.” I turn around and continue thumbing through the rack.

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