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Maybe Cece can drop me off somewhere close to my apartment, and I can play the amnesia card?
My head drops in defeat. No matter what excuse I give, the fallout is going to be so incredibly painful. I said ‘yes’ to Satan himself, so this is the price I’ll pay to keep my parents safe.
I stop in the middle of the hall. “Cece, I need you to take me home.”
Her mouth drops open, and she blinks rapidly. “Wait… What did you say? I don’t think I heard you right.”
“I need to go home. I can’t stay here anymore.”
“Why the hell not?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “I was there when Grim and Abyss brought you in. I have a good idea of who hurt you, but I’ve tried to respect your privacy and haven’t pushed for information. What are you thinking?! Why would you want to go back to him?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it.”
“I can’t, Cece,” I insist. “I can’t let anyone get caught up in my problems. It’s better if I go home and face it head-on.”
“Bullshit!” she yells. Panicking, I search the corridor to make sure no one can hear us, and Cece continues. “You’re not playing the martyr. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’ll be damned if I’m driving you back home. You almostdied.”
“I’m grateful to all of you, and always will be, but trust me when I say, this isn’t a war you want to get involved in.”
Cece’s brows narrow in frustration. “I’m not taking you anywhere, and no one else will either until you talk to Grim.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. It’s as if she knows something I don’t. “I betcha anything he’s beating the shit out of a punching bag in the gym.”
I picture Grim’s bulging muscles as he hits a bag over and over again, and my knees begin to shake. First, butterflies in my stomach, and now, shaky knees. I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to a man before, not even Brad.
Even more reason to keep him out of this. I’d die if Grim or anyone else was hurt because of me.
“I don’t want to talk to Grim,” I state firmly. “Please, Cece, take me home. Everyone is looking for me now… You saw the broadcast. I’m the only one who can stop this.”
“So, text them and tell them you’re okay. That solvesthatproblem.”
Cece’s right. I can solve all this with a text and try to buy myself some time, but would it work?
“What if it doesn’t solve anything?”
“Then you’re no worse off than you are now. Go talk to Grim,” she encourages. “I think you two need to talk. See what he thinks you should do.” She pauses, smirking. “Or I could go get Soul and the rest of the club.”
And just like that, she makes the decision for me.
“Fine… you win,” I concede, and she grins.
Why do I get the feeling Cece knew exactly what she was doing just then?
Cece walks me to the gym and squeezes my hand in support before she gently pushes me inside. Standing next to the doorframe, I take in my surroundings. There are loose weights, benches, treadmills, elliptical machines, a boxing ring, and different sizes and shapes of punching bags.
Thump… thump… thump.
A steady rhythm of fists punching something reaches my ears. I peer around a pillar and see Grim pummeling a black leather bag hanging from the ceiling. Mirrors line the wall behind him, so I get a full view.
Sweat drips down his bare chest, and the definition in his muscles is easier to see now that he’s shirtless. The veins in his arm bulge, and the concentration on his face keeps me from running across the room to get his attention.
Instead, I take advantage of his obliviousness about my presence and study his movements. Each strike is coordinated and precise. Grim hauls back one arm and hits the bag one last time with all his strength. He grabs it before pulling it close to his chest and resting his head against it. His back heaves as if he is trying to catch his breath.
Now or never Violet.
I slowly walk over so I don’t disturb him, but I don’t make it far before his head snaps up, and his eyes focus on mine through the mirror.
So much for him being oblivious.
