Page 25 of Ravaged From Fate

“What happened?”

“Why do you take such long walks?”

He smiles. “I asked the question first. You answer first.”

Ah. So he is talking now.

I kinda feel proud of my ability on getting him out of his shell. I’m counting a smile from him, however slight, a win.

“Well, I helped deliver a baby,” I reply. “In a farmhouse.”

Caspian raises his eyebrows. I don’t know if he’s mocking me. “Impressive.”

“I think it is.”

“And you do everything in this town? All the medical procedures? You’re an Elsa-of-all-trades?”

“There is a doctor as well.”

“Ah.”

“Now answer my question,” I order. “Why do you take such long walks?”

Caspian straightens up. He’s still walking, but now he slows down, forcing me to slow down my car even more. He allows a long while to pass before finally answering me.

“It helps take my mind off things.”

“Did you go to the boxing gym I recommended?” I ask. Of course, I know the answer, but I want to hear his explanation for what occurred. Why he walked out on Cyrus.

“Yes.”

“Great. And has Cyrus been looking after you?”

Caspian stares at me again. His eyes burn through me. “You know I went to the gym, don’t you? And you know I left.”

I sigh. “Maybe you should give it another chance.”

“No.”

“Cyrus is a good guy…”

“I’m not going back.”

“Come on, I know shit-all about boxing, but even I can see natural talent when it’s presented in my face,” I reply. “I saw you fight in the bar. You should do something with that skill.”

“That wasn’t boxing. That was violence.”

His voice is so goddamn low. So primal. Like a growling lion – the same animal I noticed the other night he’s got tattooed on his shoulder.

“Maybe there’s money to be had in this, like working as a bouncer,” I suggest. “You could even do some professional fights. I know Cyrus made a ton of money doing that in New York, more than being on a nurse’s salary, let me tell you. Would be a good way to make a buck.”

Caspian goes dark. “Stay away from my business,” he mumbles.

Damn. I’ve hit a nerve. Did not intend for that to happen.

I’m honestly not usually such a button-pusher, but something about this man makes me so freaking damn curious…

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you or anything,” I say.