“How do you figurethat?”
“Because in myworld, such sensitivity is considered a weakness, and I can’t havethat. My world is very dark and bloody, and though I plan to hideit from you as best I can, there will be times when I simply can’tdo that. You will inevitably be exposed to the gruesome and deadlymoments of my life, and I’d rather have you prepared than to haveto deal with you having a panic attack because you wereunpreparedinanunexpected situation. It could get you killed, and I will not allowthat.”
I scoffed at him.“First of all, we both know I’m no little bitch.” I saw his facetwitch with my cussing, but I continued quickly to distract him.“When I was taken, I reacted instinctively and refused to go downwithout a fight. I didn’t curl up and cower. I’m trained with gunsand am plenty used to gunfire. Not to mention I took out two ofyour guards at the same time during the auction with ease. So don’ttry to tell me I can’t handle a little blood andgore.”
“Then why did youreact the way you did when you saw what was happening to thatstupid fuck of a gardener,” Darren practicallygrowled.
“Because I was thecause of it,” I replied. “He was only trying to help me and lookwhere that got him. I could probably watch any one of your guys gettortured all day. Hell, I’d probably help. But when it comes tosomeone who’s innocent, that’s a differentstory.”
“You better becareful what you wish for, Jaden,” Darren said as he sauntered backover to his seat, his eyes never leaving mine. “I might just takeyou up on that.”
I gave him abarely-there smirk as he sat down.
David then broughtout our dinner and set the plates down in front of us, returningsilently to the kitchen. I reached out for my table napkin next tomy plate and saw Darren’s eyes light up. He promptly grabbed mywrist and examined my knuckles and bustedmanicure.
“Whatthefuckdid you do toyour hand?” he scowled at me.
I shrugged. “Well,Darren, you see, that’s what happens when you punch a heavy bagover and over again without proper hand protection. The same handprotection I asked you for several weeks ago.”
“So you thoughtyou’d damage your beautiful skin just to spite me?” he nearlyroared. My gut was flipping around like a damnrollercoaster, but I remainedsteadfast.
“No, that was notmy intention. I was angry, and I needed an outlet. It’s not healthyfor me to keep all that rage bottled up, so I took itoutonthe bag. It’s notmy fault I didn’t have the proper gear.”
Darren glared atme fiercely, on the rise of some horrible threat, but I beat him toit.
“Oh, what’s thematter, Darren? Jealous that something else left bruises on my skinand not you?” I taunted him. Yeah, I knew that was stupid, but Iwas in a mood.
He abruptly stoodand slammed my bruised cheek down on the table. I groaned out loudas the pain radiated throughout my face. I kept my hands on thetable and tried to push myself up to release some of a pressure,but Darren wasn’t letting up.
“Careful,princess. Ijust may leave you with a couple more.”
“Yeah? Go ahead.Keep reminding me of why I hate you so much.”
Darren leaned inlow, getting closer to my ear as he stood aboveme.
“You still think Igive a shit about how you feel about me? Your feelings do notmatter unless I decide they do. And if this is the way you’re goingto train to inevitably harm yourself, then your time in my gym willbe revoked until you learn to control your so-called “rage.” Now,keep your mouth shut, and we might actually have a pleasant dinnertogether for once. Otherwise, you can spend the rest of the nightin your cage.”
I gruntedunderneath him as I fought my hardest not to spit any shit back athim.
“Have I mademyself clear?” he gritted.
“Yes, Darren,” Iseethed through clenched teeth.
“Good girl,” heapproved and released me, returning to his seat and unbuttoning hissuit jacket.
He sent a quicktext on his phone and began to eat hisdinnerwhile I satthere pissed off and stared at my water glass. I pushed my foodaround on my plate, my appetite now completelyabsent.
“Eat, Jaden,”Darren ordered with a glare.
I released anirritated sigh and took a small bite of my lemon chicken, tastingabsolutely nothing as I chewed. Darren went back to eating hisdinner, satisfied I had listened to him.
Dinner was quiet,awkward even, but thankfully uneventful. I somehow managed tofinish most of my dinner and Darren only grumbled a little bitabout it. When we were finished, he wiped his mouth and stoodup.
“I have some workto do. I’ll find you later,” he said as he kissed the top of myhead and disappeared upstairs.
I sat there for awhile, leaning back against the chair with my hands splayed out onthe table. I didn’t even care to move when David came out to clearour plates and didn’t even bother to look athim.
Eventually, I gotup and went outside and onto the patio. I sat on the long,cushioned couch and laid down to look up at the sky, ignoring theguard who remained off to the side. The sky was starting to darkenas the sun was already settingbeyondthe clouds. There was a slight chill inthe wind, so I reached over to turn on the gas fire pit, watchingas the flames licked at the fake wood that quickly surrounded thepatio in warmth.
