Page 29 of Darkened Truths
I accept the call as I storm up the stairs to my room.
“You’ve heard?” I ask as I slam the door behind me.
“I’ve heard. Michael’s a fool for sending her there. I’m not sure what he’s thinking,” my dad, Alec says. “Keep her close, Julien. I’m working on a plan, but I need you to be patient with me. I’ve sped things up to keep the upper hand.”
I sigh and rub my forehead. “I know.”
“I’ll be out of here before you know it. Keep up the good work. I’m proud of you, son.”
My chest aches at those five brief words. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard them. Alec isn’t big into affection, but he has his moments.
“Thanks, Dad,” I murmur.
He disconnects the call before I can ask more questions. Phone calls with him are always brief on time and short on words. Too many ears tapped into each phone call. He’ll send word through someone else with the updated plan. I need to hold tight for now, even if it kills me to do so.
I change into a pair of elastic waisted shorts and wrap my hands, fully intending to unleash all my anger out of the boxing bag in the basement. I’d appreciate a sparring partner, but afraid Wesley would kill me. And Zander is more of a hands-off guy, for good reason.
The doorbell rings just as I make it to the bottom step and I yank the door open to find Stella there on the other side.
“Hey, sexy. How was your first day of classes?” She walks in like she owns the place and sits down on the couch as if I invited her in.
She’s more of a pain in my ass than usual. “What do you want, Stella?”
“What? I can’t stop by to see my boyfriend?” she asks, inspecting her nails like I’ve scorned her.
“You’re not my girlfriend. You’re just a girl I fuck,” I correct her.
She perks up and purrs, “Oh, is sex on the table?” She takes in my appearance, walks to me, and puts her hands on my barechest, squeezing the taught muscles in my pecs and adds, “I can help you work out some of that stress, big boy.”
With deft fingers, she undoes the top buttons on her blouse until I stop her.
“Leave, Stella.”
She pouts, “Baby, don’t be like that.”
Stella wraps her hand around the back of my neck and pulls me down. She tips her head back and brushes her lips against the shell of my ear. I can smell her perfume and, for the first time in my life, it makes me want to gag. It’s sickly sweet and rancid all at the same time. How did I ever find her attractive? Everything about Stella screams, “look at me” and I can’t stand it anymore. She’s good in bed, that much is true, but other than that, I couldn’t care less about her.
“Let me suck your cock. I know how much you like it.”
I grab her upper arm and drag her to the door. She gasps in shock as I all but toss her ass first onto the porch. “You’re not welcome here anymore, Stella. Come here again and you’ll wish you hadn’t.”
She tries to speak, but I slam the door in her face and lock it before heading down into the basement where we have our own personal gym set up. Weights and benches in one corner and a sparring mat with a hanging bag in another. It’s simple, but everything we need. I put my headphones in and blast rock music, drowning everything out.
I hit the bag, gently at first, warming up my muscles.
Cross. Jab.
Cross. Jab. Uppercut.
Each hit gets progressively stronger. And the more I think about Riley, the more worked up I get, hitting the bag. I can’t get her out of my fucking head. I need her out. She’s fucking up all my plans. My arms scream in pain, but I push harder andharder, ignoring the burning until Wesley spins me around. The satisfying thud of my fist on his jaw snapping me out of my haze.
Oh shit.
I yank my earbuds out and extend my hand out to help him stand. Red stains my hand wraps, and I feel the raw flesh burning underneath. “Sorry, man. I was in my own head.”
He stretches his jaw and rubs it, glaring daggers up at me, then finally allows me to help him stand.
He motions to my bloodied knuckles. “You need your hands for this weekend’s fight. Maybe use gloves next time, asshole.” I snort. Yeah, probably would have been a good idea. They are going to be sore the next few days, but I’ll survive. “I’m training Riley. And before you say anything, I think it’s a good idea.”Doubtful.“Look, we need her on our side and pushing her away is gonna make her fight us more. We need her willing, not scared.”
