Unbound: Forbidden Desires

33 | Feelings

𝓣he person staring back at me in the mirror looked different.

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I was eating better or working out regularly, but I felt better than I had in ages. My hair had grown inches in just a few weeks, gotten thicker and shinier like my lashes. Even my skin looked softer, healthier.

Perhaps it was those expensive shampoos and creams Aries had gotten me taking effect. I could see why celebrities looked so flawless. Expensive stuff really seemed to work.

Whatever the case was, I felt great and I loved it.

I finished brushing my hair and found the guard outside waiting to walk me to Eros.

I found him shooting his gun. The metal target at a distance clanked repeatedly. He hadn't missed a single shot. I stood there watching him for a moment, enjoying the peace I was likely going to disrupt because there was something on my mind that I was sure he wasn't going to like.

I had been here for weeks. My friends and family had remained untouched and no one had come for me. Being here, though as nice as it was, was also becoming difficult. I missed my family, my friends, and I missed not being sexually frustrated at every turn.

I wanted to go back to, at the very least, part of my regular life...even if it meant leaving the Blackwell estate.

✤

Eros stood behind me, correcting my form. The chilly morning air sent shivers down my spine and I pulled my jacket tighter around me, but Eros's proximity helped keep me warm. The man surprisingly had a lot of warmth, but what did I expect from a man so large?

"Anything new?" I asked.

Eros looked away from the target and back towards me. "I found the lead I was searching for."

I perked up hearing that. "Does that mean you're close to finishing this?"

Eros shook his head, his jaw strained under the pressure of frustration. "It wasn't easy to find this person and because of their value they're currently heavily protected. Aries and I will need to find a way to get them before they move again, and when we do, well then, yes, this may be over soon."

I felt a sense of frustration in my chest. After all this time, I still didn't know much about why I was being threatened, but only that the man threatening me was someone from Eros and Aries's past. Eros and Aries had let me in somewhat. I knew they were looking for someone, and Eros had finally found them.

"Why do you need that person? Are they somehow related to the man that wants me dead?"

"No," Eros said. "But they have something Aries and I need in order to destroy the man that wants to hurt you."

"Anything I can do to help?" I asked, desperate to contribute in some way.

Eros looked at me with a serious expression.. "You can help by staying safe here with us. We'll find what we need, but I won't risk your safety."

I sighed. That was exactly what I planned to talk to him about, but Eros didn't give me a chance. He brought his hand up, placing it over my arm. "Come on," he said, "you should be able to hit this target now."

I took the loaded gun in my hand and took aim at the target. It was further than the ones we usually practiced with. Taking a deep breath, I squeezed the trigger and hit the mark dead center, once, then again.

"You've improved." Eros said.

I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. I was learning everything Eros and Aries were throwing at me and for once I felt capable of defending myself.