Page 86 of The Freedom in Captivity

Which idea is right? Contradictory of one another, neither making sense.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Not sure how much I mean the apology, but I give it.

Nico shoves off his desk and strides toward me, slapping a palm on each of my shoulders as he catches my eye. “I meant what I said yesterday, man, I get it’s hard. But you have a job to do. She might be on our side, but we truly don’t know what’s in her head. She’s not safe for you.”

Like Della wasn’t for you.

His phone ringing cuts through the tense silence and he glances at the screen. “I have to take this.” With a final slap to my upper arm, Nico walks away, answering the call.

And leaving me directionless.

* * *

2 Days Later

Turns out, the call Nico answered was serious. A call from Hawke, Nico’s eldest brother who left the organization when he was twelve, turned into Rosen and Nico babysitting a passed-out Rafael who drank himself to near-death in misery over the Dupont girl leaving.

Babysitting him turned into a whole battle with De Falco’s hired mercenaries. News only spread after it went down, and they’ve been by his bedside, nursing a wounded Rafael back to health.

In the past two days, I’ve obeyed my boss and avoided Rozelyn’s door. Vlad works on rotation with another soldier, and I know this because even if I’ve remained away, it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped paying attention.

To pass the time, I’ve basically moved into the gym. Working out gives my mind and body something to focus on. Fills my days since being an enforcer has little purpose with no enemies around.

I wake early, eat breakfast, and go for a jog around the property. Then I take my bike for a detoured drive on my way to the gym, which is where I hang out for many hours until my exhausted body only craves one thing—sleep. This is how it’ll go until Rafael is back on his feet and Nico calls another meeting to hunt De Falco.

It’s the only way to avoid temptation.

The only way to avoidthinkingabout her. About the past, or even days ago. Thinking about her makes my dick hard and my heart soft and my brain tempted with the idea of betraying my underboss’s orders, therefore tiring my body is the healthier option.

Earbuds in, I see him before I hear him. Lorenzo Corsetti approaches and leans against the leg press machine. He’s not here often anymore, age catching up with him, so seeing him in the gym is a much less common occurrence.

Not wanting to speak with him, but knowing him well enough I won’t have an option, I tug both AirPods out of my ears, which ends my music instantly.

“Yes?” I grit, pushing my legs against the weight bearing down on them. He’s gained enough of my attention I removed my headphones, but not to end my reps.

“Heard you’ve been here almost all day for the past couple,” he comments, tapping his fingers against the machine. “You’re going to injure yourself if you don’t take a day off.”

That’s the point.“And?”

“This is how you always run away from your problems, Flynn.”

Slam!His words rob my focus for a moment and the weight bears down on my legs before I can push them in the opposite direction. Not bothering to find my pace again, I stand and head for the far side of the gym, to the mats and the punching bags hanging from the ceiling.

He trails like an annoying shadow. “Flynn, you forget who found you. Who trained you. Who got you drunk because it was the only way you’d open up.”

He cuts in front of me, blocking my path to the nearest punching bag so, with a glare, I head for one toward my right, but he hops in front again. Despite his age, he’s always been a quick fucker on his feet.

With a huff, I stop walking, cross my arms, and stare at him. Clearly, he won’t give up until this is hashed out. “Where you goin’ with this?”

“You’re pissed because Nico is keeping you away from Rozelyn.”

No. Yes.I open my mouth to agree—to deny—I don’t know. Instead, I grunt.

“Exactly.” He smirks. “In your attempt to avoid the mansion, you’re hiding here. You’re running away from your problems.”

“How’d you know this is where I’ve been?”

He gestures over his shoulder to the single staff member at the front counter. Her eyes widen when she catches my death glare and becomes suddenly busy on the computer.

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