Page 49 of Fighting the Darkness

His eyes are on me, but as I watch, he forces them away with a shake of his head. Only, they’re back on me within seconds. Sure doesn’t seem like someone who isn’t interested. If that’s not the reason he’s acting like it didn’t happen, what is?

Wilder’s always been confusing to me. I’ve never understood what happened when we were sixteen or why he pushed me away. Last night’s comment only added to that confusion. And now he’s acting like this? I don’t even know what to do with it. He has to be the most infuriating man I’ve ever met.

I refuse to allow him to ruin my training session, though, so I force myself to look away as I finish my stretches. Today’s the first time that I’ll be working with all three of them in one session. What is already likely to be a tense session has been made worse by what happened between me and Wilder. But it’s only two hours. I can do this.

I have to do this.

So what if I have to work with Wilder? So what if I can’t stop thinking about his cock and how well he filled me?

I don’t know how I’ll get over him this time, but what I do know is that I have to. I won’t allow myself to lead around by my pussy, and it’s clear he’s not looking for more than a night of sex.

With that decided, I nod my head to myself before climbing to my feet. “Ready!”

Chapter Twenty-two

Griffin

WatchingFreyagothroughthe motions with Soren, I shake my head. Something is up with her, and it has her completely in her head. She’s making simple mistakes that I haven’t seen her make since the first week she started training with us.

Wilder stands off to the side where he’s supposed to be watching the other two, pointing out what she’s doing wrong. Except, he hasn’t pointed out any of the various mistakes she’s made. It makes me wonder if the two things might be related.

After all, I saw Wilder and Freya leave The Guillotine together last night. After Soren changed, we went up to the VIP area to have a drink with Quinn and Vicki came looking for Freya. She seemed surprised to hear that Freya had left with Wilder. That means that Wilder was lying when he said that the two of them had plans, which is interesting. What is also interesting is that Freya looked freshly fucked when she left the locker room.

I wasn’t sure that they’d slept together, but after today? I’m fully convinced that they did. The tension bleeding off the two of them is off the charts, and I can’t help wondering if this is going to be a problem.

“What’s wrong with you, sunshine?” Soren teases. “Did you stay up too late and forget everything you know about fighting?”

Instead of responding, Freya growls under her breath and comes at him twice as hard. Unfortunately, she just becomes sloppier. Maybe I just need to call it for today?

Soren stops her with a shake of his head. “Go get some water, babe. Take ten minutes and we’ll try again.”

“But—“ Freya cuts off whatever she was going to say at the glare Soren turns on her. She presses her lips together before walking over to grab her bottle of water and taking a drink.

I can’t tear my eyes off of her. She’s still too thin, but she’s definitely putting on weight. It won’t be too much longer and she’ll be at a more acceptable weight. I hate that I can count each of her ribs, but knowing what she’s been through, it doesn’t take away from her beauty. No, it’s a reminder that this woman is a fighter, enhancing her attractiveness.

Not that I should be attracted to her or be thinking about how hot she is. She’s entirely too young for me. Not to mention that Soren has been flirting with her, so he’s obviously interested. I don’t want to step on any toes there. Though, if she slept with Wilder, are they a thing now?

Shaking my head, I force myself to look away. My eyes fall to Soren and Wilder instead, and I know things are about to go from bad to worse.

“Why are you even here today?” Soren snarks as he stops in front of Wilder. “You’re supposed to be pointing out any mistakes she makes, but you haven’t said a damn thing about her sloppy footwork or letting down her guard. If you’re not going to help us train her, then why the fuck are you here?”

“Back off, Soren. I’m not in the mood to deal with you right now.” Wilder sounds exhausted—not just from lack of sleep but from emotional exhaustion. Something definitely happened between him and Freya.

Not that it’s any of my business, I remind myself. Freya’s an adult, and I shouldn’t care about her sex life. But I do, and it’s driving me crazy. How has this one woman caused so much upheaval in my life?

Soren snorts. “What’s wrong, Finch? Still upset that I won last night? I know what a sore loser you are.”

I don’t know what bug crawled up Soren’s ass today, but I’m over it. “That’s enough, Soren. My office. Now.”

He looks like he wants to argue but wisely keeps his mouth shut as he throws his hands up in the air and stomps off toward the office.

“Freya?” I wait until she turns to face me before continuing, “Soren’s not wrong. You’re making beginner mistakes. Maybe we should call it for the day?”

“No.” Freya shakes her head adamantly. “No, I’m fine. I want to train. I just keep getting lost in my head. I’ll make sure it stops happening.”

Something crosses her face then, but it’s gone before I can really register it. “Fine. Work with Wilder while I go talk to Soren. I’m sorry for the way he’s been today.”

“He’s fine.” Freya waves off my concerns. “He’s just been giving me a hard time. I’ll take that over him being an asshole any day.”

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