Page 130 of The Auction
My breath is coming in too fast. Taking in too much of the air around me. The air that smells like her. Sweet and warm and fucking everywhere, clinging to my sheets, the couch, my skin. It’s suffocating.
I can’t fucking breathe here. I’ve gotta get out of here.
I grab my helmet and keys, not giving a shit where I’m going, just knowing I can’t stay.
Idon’t even realize where I’m going until I’m pulling into the back lot ofThe Gym.
Lucian’s already here, hands wrapped, sweat darkening his shirt. He glances up when I walk in, eyebrows lifting like I’m the last person he expected. “Didn’t think I’d see you today.”
I don’t answer. Can’t. The storm in my chest doesn’t leave room for words.
“Get taped up,” he says, nodding toward the counter. “You’re getting in the ring.”
Fine.
It’s muscle memory—wrapping my hands, stepping through the ropes—while my head is still stuck on her text. Lucian’s posture is loose, ready for a warm-up. Mine isn’t.
I swing. Hard.
He dodges, surprise flashing across his face.
“What the hell, Kane?”
I don’t answer—I just swing again. Then again.
“Jesus—” He blocks, but my fists keep coming faster, harder, heat burning through my veins. A kick follows, then another punch—this one cracks against his guard and slips through, landing solid.
That’s all it takes.
The gate blows open, and everything I’ve been holding back comes pouring out. “Come on,” I growl, another strike flying. “Move!”
Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. I’m hitting harder than I should, moving like I’m trying to break something—anything—that isn’t me. Swing. Miss. Connect. Again.
Lucian’s throwing shots back now, his voice clipped between blows. “What—”block“—is—”counter“—your—”jab“—problem?”
I barely hear him. My pulse is a roar, drowning out everything but the need to keep going.
Then he catches me—one hit that rattles my fucking skull, and before I can recover, he’s behind me. My feet leave the mat as he locks me into a hold and takes me down hard.
“What the fuck is your problem, Kane?” His voice is sharp, controlled.
I thrash against him, teeth gritted, adrenaline still driving me. My fists are trapped, my chest heaving.
“Let me go,” I snap.
“Not until you stop swinging at me like you’ve lost your damn mind.” His tone is level, but there’s steel under it.
I shove again, jerking against his hold. “Ihavelost my mind.”
“What happened?” His grip only tightens. “Is it Cassidy?”
Her name coming out of his mouth hits harder than any punch he’s thrown tonight. I grit my teeth, my anger renewed. “Don’t say her fucking name.”
“Jax.” He shakes me once, sharp enough to snap my focus to him. “What. The fuck. Happened?”
He lets me go, pushing me away to give us both some space. I know it’s in case he needs to hold me back again.
“It wasn’t real.” I bite out.
