I didn't think it was possible.
His return.
Up until now. . . he was dead.
It was a blinding dark.
Until it became the upcoming of dawn.
⚠️Only the teaser is available until further notice ⚠️
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I throw another punch towards the punching bag, gritting my teeth against the force.
It's been two days since I ran into Leo at the grocery store. I've been so wrapped up in my own head that I forgot to drop Dawn off at school yesterday because I thought it was the weekend.
I had to pretend she had a headache and thought it was the start of a cold.
She's cleared to go back tomorrow but I feel so stupid for letting it slip my mind. To know Leo is just walking around and doing normal things without an ounce of remembrance of who I am.
It stings.
No—it fucking burns.
I throw another punch before bending down and catching my breath. Sweat drips down the side of my forehead and the air feels sticky hot.
"Take it easy, A," Chase drawls, walking into the training room.
More so an in home gym but I like the term training better.
I let out a humorless laugh. "Easy? Nothing about what we're doing is easy."
He snorts. "You could say that again."
I lick my dry lips and stand back up. "Did we get him yet? Arus?"
He shakes his head. He's pulling on some boxing gloves and approaching the bag. "No. The bastard is barely ever alone and if he is, it's in a public setting. Lillian is figuring it out but we're getting him this week. That's for damn sure."
I grin. "I'll get him myself if I have to."
He cocks a brow. "Going big time on me? Show me what you got then."
He lifts his fists and I roll my eyes, wiping a hand across my sweaty forehead.
"Remember you asked for it, Chase," I say, lunging forward and making a jab towards his lower ribs. He grunts and throws a punch towards my shoulder, throwing me off.
I dodge his next hit and throw one at his face. His head whips to the side and he spits.
"Fuck you, A," he snaps, lunging at me.
I laugh, pushing him back. "Don't be a baby about it."
He manages to hit my side, making me stumble back and almost fall on my ass. I grumble about it before sweeping to the left and then aiming for his right, catching his blind spot.
After going back and forth he puts me in a headlock that I can't get out of. Until I drop my body weight and link my feet behind his head, pulling him down with me. It was a pathetic attempt at a toss but it almost worked.
We both groan as we land on the floor. I roll onto my back and rub my tailbone.
"Remind me to never fight with you again," I whine, my head throbbing.
He chuckles. "Screw you. I'm going to be bruised tomorrow and you didn't even take off your gloves."
I smirk. "Sounds like you need more time in the training room."
He picks himself up off the ground and holds out a hand to me. I take it and he pulls me off the ground, wrapping his arm around me once I'm standing.
"On a serious note," he begins, his tone growing softer. "You play strong all the time, Aveline. But we know you. We saw you at your worst six years ago, especially with all that shit surrounding your dad. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't have to rely on yourself. You have us. You don't have to constantly be strong."
I stop walking, shrugging his arm off of me. I look at him, noticing how tired he looks himself. He looks like he needs to sleep for a whole day before replenishing his energy.
I clear my throat.
"If I'm not constantly strong, I'm going to fall. Im going to get stuck and that's something I cannot afford right now. Especially with Dawn relying on me," I tell him, my voice wavering a bit at the end.
I add, "I appreciate it—really, I do— but if I'm anything except strong right now, I'm going to break."
Chase nods slowly, giving my shoulder one small squeeze. "Okay. I get it."
He walks away, leaving me in the training room with my thoughts as company.
~~~
"Have you ever dealt with something unexpected before?" I ask Leo, turning around on my back as I stare up at the ceiling.
We're currently in his room and he's laying against the headboard. I'm splayed across the mattress, invading his personal space and asking random questions.
He chuckles softly before saying, "you. You were unexpected and something entirely different from what I had in mind."
I quirk a brow. "And what did you have in mind, Leo?"
He leans forward, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
His hot breath hits my skin and I shiver. He whispers, "someone a little more compliant for sure. Maybe someone who was totally obsessed with me from day one."
I push up and move to straddle him, glaring into his eyes. I tug at the hair on the base of his neck, bringing a slow smirk to his lips.
"But tell me—you're happier with me, right?" I whisper, rubbing my thumb softly on the nape of his neck.
His hands squeeze my hips.
"I've never been happier, darling."
This was a smaller chapter but guess what's coming next?
