Page 13 of Wild Cub

I’ve built so many walls, and his touch is starting to melt away a part of myself that I didn’t know I could take down. Maybe I’m just shocked someone wanted to touch me. Aiden had made me feel like I was nothing, that I wasn’t worthy of love. Aiden is the reason why I built so many walls; I can’t let someone destroy all the work I’ve done. I get out and change into my pajamas as my phone goes off on my bedside table.

Leif Erickson:Sweet dreams, Little Cub.

I’m stunned. Seth’s right; heisdetermined. Fine. I gather the courage to message back.

Me:Be like the wind and change directions.

Leif Erickson:As long as that direction is you.

Quite the smooth line. That backfired.

Me:You can’t catch the wind.

Leif Erickson:But I will catch you. Go to sleep.

Me:Promises, promises.

I turn off my phone for the night and drift off to sleep, Seamus at the foot of the bed snoring. I pray for a dreamless sleep.

Morning comes on quickly. I know I have a brunch meeting with a donor, one of my favorites. Saturday mornings also mean boxing at this little hole in the wall gym Sam found. I started going when the dreams got worse, and I needed an outlet. Romero, the owner, allows me private time before opening as long as I say good things about him to Miss Aggie. That’s not something I’m about to meddle in.

“Seamus, you wanna go to the gym?” I scratch his ear, knowing his answer. I quickly get ready for the gym and put Seamus’ harness on him. Seamus is harmless when we go to the gym. He just prances around and stares out the window at the passing cars.

Seamus stares out the passenger window of my car and starts to wiggle his butt. He knows where we’re going. “You gonna help Momma out?” I ask him. He glances back over his shoulder, his tongue hanging out. We park in the back and I help Seamus down. He huffs and puffs trying to hurry me up to open the gym door. I find the key and carefully let us inside.

“Hello, old friend. I’ve missed you,” I announce when I flick some of the lights on. Seamus does his normal laps, and I see his head poke back around the corner of the boxing ring. I lay out my gloves and my wraps; I’m not a professional by any means, but Romaro and his crew taught me enough over the past few years

I plug my phone into the stereo and start up my playlist.Raging on a Sundayby Bohnes echoes around us. Seamus is already in a corner, making himself comfortable. I head towards the mat for a stretch and warm up with the jump ropes, attempting to work on footwork and endurance.

When my warmup is finished, I start to wrap my hands while heading towards the speed bag, praying to God I don’t hit myself in the face. I’m not the most graceful person. Music continues to blare through the speakers, loud enough for me but not enough to wake the neighbors. My workout is sweaty, my legs jelly and my arms burning.

I’m just starting to cool down when something shiny catches my eyes. Down a long empty hallway that I think once held champion photos is a target board. Nowthatpiques my curiosity.

Seamus notices my irregular movement and pops up. I look down the hallway and see the board is above a storage box. A Cheshire cat grin spreads across my face as I open the box. Seamus pokes his head through and looks at me.

“Oh yeah buddy, I’m trying it.” Seamus scatters; smart choice. I’ve thrown axes for fun at one of those entertainment spots, and I have been around knives my entire life. How different could this be?

I take out three knives that look doable. I plant my feet, winding my arm back and releasing one of the knives. It hits the target board lower than I wanted. Brushing it off, I adjust my feet a little bit. I wind my arm back behind me, releasing another one. I hear athunkas the knife lands in the outer ring of the target.

I’m starting to get frustrated.Come on Bjorn, get it together. One more time, I ground my feet, already feeling the sweat running across my face. I wind my arm back behind me.Aim for the bullseye.

I am about to throw it when, “If you release it sooner, you’ll hit it” a voice calls out and I quickly react, not realizing that the blade has slipped through my fingers.

“Good morning, Little Cub.” he says with a smirk on his handsome face.

Chapter 6

AlexanderJacksonisaparasite Just when you think you got rid of him, he comes back with a vengeance. He’s sitting there in a hoodie and black gym shorts, arms crossed in judgment. I realize now that the knife I threw is lodged in one of the wood panels on the wall behind him.Damn, that got some distance.Squirrel moment.

I start to wonder why Seamus didn’t signal that someone was here.Wait a second.

“How the hell did you get in? I locked the door,” I shout. I step closer to him, closing the space between us. Jackson sits there at the edge of the boxing ring, possibly plotting his next step, taking inventory of what he sees. Even sitting down, he has height on me.

“Funny thing doors, they tend to open when you have a key.” He holds up a key. “Did you really think you’re the only one Romero lets in early?”

“I did think I was the only one. I thought it was my pretty looks and personality that gave it away,” I spit sarcastically.

Jackson grabs the waistband of my leggings and pulls me closer, meanwhile I get a full breath of his cedar scent.

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