The repetition is giving me purpose, something I desperately need. He told me when I show enough discipline, he’ll take me to the lower level gun range.
I can’t lie and say the idea of shooting a gun doesn’t make me nervous. I’ve never held one before. Been shot at plenty of times. Had I lived a different life, I might not have believed myself cut out for any of this.
But that’s not my reality. I can visualize all too well who I would hold a gun against. I know I could kill that man a thousand times over, which makes me believe I’m right where I’m meant to be.
“How’s it going being locked up with the CEO?” Rev asks, sprawling across one of the weight benches. He props his chin on one hand, lazily playing with a dumbbell in the other. He’s not built like Cain, but no amount of weight seems to phase him. I couldn’t even lift the bar he’d set up earlier for his final round of bench presses.
I drop onto the squishy black and gray speckled floor, water bottle dangling from my hand. The smell of plastic and old sweat hits my nose, making it scrunch up.
Rev smirks. “That good, huh?”
I unleash a groan from my soul. “I got antsy and kissed him. And, to make things worse, I did something naughty in his office. I have no self-control.”
“Wow, you don’t make me work for answers, do you?”
I frown. “I don’t think he liked any of it.”
“Nah.” Rev flashes a sinister grin. “He liked it.”
I shake my head, rolling down to lie flat like a starfish on the floor. “Sometimes I get that feeling. Mostly, he’s just indifferent and cold with me.”
Rev shrugs. “He’s a bit fucked up, but aren’t we all?”
“I… suppose so.”
“Let me clue you in on a little secret. There are spare apartments in the building he could have put you up in. Instead, he chose to keep you close.”
“Because he doesn’t trust me.”
“Cain doesn’t trust anyone. But that’s not the reason he’s hiding you away.”
My brows furrow. “I don’t understand.”
Rev flashes perfect white teeth. “He’s staking claim on you, pretty boy. Can’t stand the thought of someone like me swooping in to ruin your life.”
“Oh.” I spin my lip ring, replaying my interactions with both Cain and Rev to try to find my way to the same conclusion.
Rev tips his head in curiosity. “So, is it just guys for you, too, Ezra baby?”
I swallow and stare up at the ceiling. I guess I’ve never really paid attention to gender. Never invested thought into relationships, either.
But IwantCain. And I definitely didn’t dream about coming on his lap last night. The embarrassment and regret from that are too real.
I slip a hand in my hair and pull at it. “I don’t really know. I don’t have much experience. Not like that.”
Every encounter I’ve had with someone physically has been against my wishes, except with Cain. Which makes me question how I could be so fucking needy for him. So turned on by the idea of him doing more to me. So trusting of him when I barely know him. It’s like some primal part of me has assessed him and refuses to categorize him as a threat. I feel safe with him, and that makes me very, very stupid.
“I can prove to you that he’s interested,” Rev says, hanging over the weight bench far enough to block my view of the ceiling.
I blink up at him. “Um…”
“Come on, get up.” He pulls out his phone as I struggle to roll onto my feet, muscles screaming in protest. He moves close enough to snap a picture of both of us. “We can do better than that. Look like you’re having the time of your life.”
Catching on to Rev’s games, I lean into him for the next picture and stick out my tongue. Cain probably won’t give a shit, but it’s still fun to pretend like our little game will drive him into a jealous rage.
Another hour into our workout and photo session, which has turned quite dirty, I’m convinced Rev is a villain. Together, with my chaos and his lack of remorse, the two of us borderline on a national threat.
I’m not sure how many half-naked, sweaty pictures of me he’s sent to Cain, but I’m too high on the thrill of it to care. Worst-case scenario, Cain will punish me, which doesn’t have the effect he thinks it does onme. Best case, he’ll change his mind about wanting to fool around with me.
