Page 73 of Heal Me

I don’t know what’s gotten into me—maybe I’m possessed like Aubry was, but instead of standing up, I go to kick him in the ankle. Of course it doesn’t knock him down. I’m not sure what would knock down this steel tank. He looks at me like he wants to bring his boot down on my head, squashing me like an ant. Clearly I didn’t think this one through.

“Rule number three—avoidance,” he says, jerking me up by the back of my shirt. “Goes hand in hand with rule number one. After assessing the situation and seeing you’re outgunned, run like hell to fight another day. What are the rules?”

I parrot the rules back to him and he nods.

“Let’s see you throw a few punches on the bag.” We walk over to the hanging punching bag in the corner, this time me keeping an eye on him in my peripheral vision.

Jen went through a kickboxing fitness craze back when we were freshmen and drug me along to class with her, so I know how to throw a halfway-decent punch. Channeling my dislike for Sam, I jab with my right hand. “Ouch, that hurt,” I say, rubbing my knuckles. Bags were never involved in the fitness classes, I guess for a reason.

“The little girl needs kid gloves,” he mutters, my hands now wrapped and in boxing gloves. He leads me through a routine, giving me pointers about stance and form, and I’m a sweaty mess by the time we’re finished.

“That’s it?” I ask hopefully.

“Not even close.”

* * *

Gabe

“Charlotte Jasmine Patel.” Charlotte walks on stage, her beautiful smile lighting up her face. The announcer told us to hold our applause until after all the graduates are called. I follow as instructed, but of course the ladies of the witch circle ignore the rule—hooting and hollering.

The announcer finally makes it to the end of the alphabet, with graduates turning their tassels and tossing their caps in the air. We make our way to the stage, and Charlotte hugs her mom and dad, then gives me a quick kiss.

“Mom, this is my boyfriend, Gabe,” Charlotte introduces me to Debbie.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Debbie says. The look on her face tells me she recognizes me but can’t quite place me. “You sure we haven’t met before?”

“I’d certainly remember a woman who bakes the world’s best chocolate chip cookies.” I avoid answering the question. “Let me take a few photos.”

Aubry grabs my phone from my hand. “Wait, let me get you and Charlotte together,” she says.

Charlotte and I wrap our arms around each other. Despite our height difference, we fit together perfectly. “I’m so proud of you, my love,” I tell her quietly and then kiss the top of her head. We smile as Aubry takes a few pictures.

“Thank you,” Charlotte beams at me. “Why didn’t you answer my mom’s question?” she asks me quietly.

“She and I have met,” I whisper.

“When?”

“Back when Aubry and Damion were first bound together. I had to clear your mom to make sure she had nothing to do with it.”

“Did you bend her mind?”

“No.”

“Did Turek?”

Dammit. “Yes.”

“We’re not finished with this discussion,” she tells me quietly.

I grab her cheeks in my hands so no one can see. “Yes, we are,” I say, tapping into my power.

“Don’t forget I have a poppet with your name on it.” She smiles sweetly back at me.

“How could I forget?” The magic hasn’t worked thus far, but I’m talking about not forgetting the ride she took wearing that witch hat—on my cock. Her cheeks flush, knowing where my mind went.

“Charlotte, I have to go. I’m on call this evening,” her dad says, joining us.

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