Chapter 13

Chapter 13

ENZO

Jab.

Cross.

Hook and elbow strike.

My fists fly, connecting hard with the bag. My knuckles red, bruised, and raw, but I have to keep going. The stinging pain in my hands reminds me of the pain I’ve felt in my soul for so long. A pain I never want to feel again, raw, open—vulnerable. The reason why I swore I would never get close to anyone ever again. Why I have to keep my distance now.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Roundhouse.

I got too close to Riley, I let myself feel her. Not just physically in my arms, but on an emotional and more primal level. My wolf reached out to hers, drawing her to the surface.

What the fucking hell was I thinking?

Harder.…

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

My wolf whines in my head, begging me to go back to her. To make sure she’s okay. I know Reed will take care of her. He’ll break through and help her through her panic. A panic we induced in her.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook and elbow.

Sweat runs down my face, neck, chest, and back. I keep going. My breathing increases—inhaling through the nose, and exhaling through the mouth. Dots of red liquid splatter across my face and chest with every hit.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Spinning heel.

My heart rate flies. I won’t stop, not yet, not until all I can think about is the pain in my hands. Not until it all shuts off and I’m alone in my head again. Until I can’t smell her on my skin or hear her sweet voice in my head. Until my hands are so numb I can’t feel her lush curves beneath my fingers. Until I no longer feel the heat of her core against my growing erection.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Collapse.

I am so fucked.

RILEY

I’m standing beside Reed, watching Enzo through the window. The look of pain as he punches the large bag is like a stab to my own heart. I don’t know why I feel a connection to these men, but it’s there. Okay, that’s a lie, I know why. It’s my wolf poking her nose where it doesn’t belong. I don’t want to feel these connections. A connection means it can be broken. Which means I can be hurt, and I fucking refuse to be hurt again. Gods damn it.

“What’s he doing?” I ask Reed as we watch his friend beat his knuckles fucking bloody.

“He’s dealing with his emotions the best way he knows how.” You can hear the brokenness as he answers. As he tucks his hands in his pockets and looks to the ground at his feet.

“By beating the shit out of a bag?” I ask sarcastically.

His head snaps up, and he eyes me with a seriousness I wasn’t expecting, causing me to shrink back some. “By expressing them in training rather than on another person. He’s protecting others by letting his wolf express his feelings through him as well. This way, they both deal, and no one else gets hurt. Unless you would rather have him go on a murder spree. Because he’d easily become the next most wanted if you’d let him.” The strained, harsh edge to his voice tells me there’s a story there. One I may not want to know about. But because I’m me, with no sense of self-preservation, unable to resist my curiosity, I ask anyways.

“Sounds like there is a story behind that statement. Care to share?”

“No.” A clipped, one-word answer is all I get. The set of his chiseled jaw tells me he’s not going to share, but I keep pushing.

“Why not? You look like someone just kicked your puppy, Reed.”

Reed places his hand on my shoulder, causing me to look up at him to meet his eyes. “It’s not my story to tell, Riley. If you want to know about Enzo’s past, you need to ask Enzo. But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t share it with you.” His expression makes me see the hurt and pain in a new light. Whatever happened in Enzo’s past is dark and full of pain. Something I can relate to. I understand the feelings of safety I found in his arms now. Kindred spirits calling to each other.

He continues before I can say anything else, “We all deal with our tough emotions differently. Wild drives and fucks the bunnies. Enzo trains and fights. Cree, well I don’t fucking know, he’s a bear. Axel works more to save others. Me, I drown in my work. And you ... well you drown in pills and alcohol. We’re all broken in some way and a bit fucked up in the head.” He turns to walk away before adding, “You’re among good company, Riley. Good. Fucking. Company.”

I stand outside the gym until Enzo drops to the floor, on his knees, breathing heavily, his head in his hands, just sitting there. I want to go to him, try to help him through whatever it is that he’s dealing with, but I’m not sure if I’d be welcome in there right now. He seems upset, with me, or with himself, or by something else altogether, I’m not sure. It isn’t until he looks up and in my direction that I see the pain he is trying to hide, and I get my answer. He needs some space and time to himself. So, with a nod and tight smile, I turn and walk the fuck away. Closing my eyes and breathing deep, I can’t explain why that simple act hurt so fucking much. Gods, I need a fucking drink and a happy pill.