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Kade and Gabriel exchange a glance, then Kade shrugs, which makes Gabriel frown. He’s been doing that a lot lately, but I can’t really blame him, considering he’s got a psycho ex-lover slash supernatural sire trying to control him.
It’s been a day since I returned from Selene’s, which means her blood and venom are still in my system. She could still come after me and make good on her threat to turn me into a vampire. My stomach roils at the thought, and I exhale a heavy breath, snagging the guys’ attention once more.
Gabriel presses his lips together for a moment before speaking. “Perhaps we can discuss the possibility of you attending classes, so long as Kade accompanies you.”
My brows pinch together. “To every class?” As much as I would love to get back to class—to some semblance of normalcy—I can’t help but recall the single lecture he went to with me. Of course, I have no idea what the professor taught that day, but I do remember how Kade played my body like a damn instrument. Thinking about him being there for every class… “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“We can also hire more private security that will monitor you while you’re outside of the house.”
“You mean compound,” I mutter under my breath. That’s more and more what it feels like these days. I sigh. “Look, I appreciate you wanting to keep me safe, but—”
“My plan was far less complex,” Kade interrupts, rolling his eyes. He turns his gaze to me. “The semester is pretty much over anyway.”
“Kade,” Gabriel says, “we’re not only trying to keep her alive but happy as well.” He looks at me. “Your wellbeing is important.”
Kade groans and slides off the bed before I can respond to Gabriel. “You guys…” He shakes his head, walking to the door. “Pains in my ass.”
I flip him the bird as he leaves the room even though he can’t see it, earning a small chuckle from Gabriel. I sigh, resting my knee on the end of the bed. “This is such a mess.” I understand their response to the situation, and appreciate how important my safety is to them, but being locked up, even in a house as nice as this one, is going to make me go stir-crazy. All I’ve wanted since I got here was normalcy. A sliver of my old life. And with this… I’m being pushed further away from it every day.
He offers me a sympathetic smile. “I know, angel. It’ll be over soon, you have my word.”
I manage a small smile in return. “Thank you,” I tell him, “for caring about whatIwant.”
Gabriel nods. “Despite how it may seem, Kade does as well. He’s just worried. Having control over the situation makes him feel better.”
If anyone understands that, it’s me. So as frustrated as I am at Kade, I can appreciate that his overbearing behavior is coming from a good place.
* * *
After breakfast, I stop by my room and change into a matching black sports bra and legging set and tie my hair up before meeting Atlas in the gym over the garage.
He’s hitting the punching bag in the corner of the room when I walk in, not stopping as I approach, though I know he heard me enter.
I steal a water bottle from the mini fridge and crack it open, taking a sip as I sit on one of the mats in front of the wall of mirrors and start stretching. I’m not sure what he’ll have me doing today, but warming up is probably a good idea.
I’m bent over, my hands wrapped around my feet to stretch my legs when he finally walks over and acknowledges my presence.
“Morning,” he grumbles, grabbing a water bottle and downing half of it before tossing it onto the floor where his hoodie and phone are sitting.
I let go of my feet and straighten, meeting his gaze. “Morning,” I echo.
He jerks a hand through his hair and crouches in front of me, looking me over before he says, “How are you feeling?”
I blink at him, surprised at the question. “I… I’m fine. Better.”
Atlas nods. “Good. Get up. Ten minutes on the bike at whatever speed and tension you can handle, then we’ll meet back here.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond before straightening and grabbing his phone off the floor. I go from having his complete attention to not existing in the space of a few seconds.
I watch him the entire time I’m riding the bike. He is typing on his phone, lines of tension etched in his forehead. I want to ask what’s going on, if it has something to do with Selene or the hunters, but there’s also a part of me that doesn’t want to know. Not yet. I need to focus on my training, on getting stronger and more skilled—so I can protect myself against the things I’m wary to ask about.
My heart is pounding when I climb off the bike and walk back over to Atlas. He puts his phone down as I approach and turns to face me.
“Everything okay?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Atlas hesitates. “No.” He steps closer, his gaze darkening. “There’s a vampire who threatened someone who belongs to me.” He tilts his head to the side slightly, those liquid silver eyes flicking between mine. “I don’t take kindly to that.”
I swallow hard, my breath hitching when he glides his fingers along my arms before resting his hands on my shoulders. “And I don’t take kindly to being repeatedly used as a pawn,” I finally say, my pulse jackhammering when his thumbs brush over my collarbones. “So teach me how to fight back.” I meet his gaze. “Please.”
A muscle feathers along his jaw, and he nods, removing his hands from me. “Turn around.”
