Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male(49)

I then traveled down her arms, squeezing her biceps slightly while I looked in her eyes for the sign of pain. I moved closer to her, and as she tried to move away from me, I touched her side.

“What are you doing?” she asked me. “Leave me alone, Mason.”

She then walked out of the room with her head in her hands. I watched as Train, Travis’ brother tried to touch her. She jumped back from him and then pushed him in the chest. The guy put his hands up in surrender, and he too watched her walk away.

Anger flowed through my body like a potent drug, and I let it. It warmed me and soothed me and became a part of me. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths as I let the darkness completely take over. I turned around and went back to Alex, who was waiting for me. He stood when he saw me walk over, and I saw a mask come over his face just as I knew one was over mine.

“What did she say?” he asked me, with a hard tone to his voice.

I found mine and said, “She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to.”

He nodded imperceptibly but didn’t say anything else. He continued tapping my hand while I thought of the many ways I was going to inflict pain onto Travis’ body.





Chapter 9

Maxine

I couldn’t stop shaking. I looked at my face in the mirror and willed myself to be strong. I couldn’t let Travis know he broke me. I can’t let him know how he affected me. I was doing fine until I saw Mason. Why the hell did he guilt me into coming tonight? I was okay until he touched me, until I looked into his eyes. He saw right through me, I knew. He knew everything that happened to me the other night. I could see it. I could feel his rage and sense his loathing. I didn’t think it was towards me, but I still couldn’t be sure. All I wanted to do was have him hold me, but I couldn’t break down.

I knew, as I looked at myself in the mirror, I loathed myself. Just thinking about what happened is making me shake with fear.

I was studying in my apartment, trying to prepare for a very important test. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Mason. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, telling him we should take things slow. I knew for a fact I didn’t want that. I wanted him—body, mind, and soul. But I knew I couldn’t have him that way. But having him this way wasn’t working for me, either. I tossed my book next to me and reached for my phone to call him, when my intercom bell started ringing.

I stood, smiling. Please, let it be Mason. I swore if it was, I would definitely jump his bones first and then apologize for being an idiot.

“Hello.”

“Max, hey. It’s me, Train.”

I frowned.

“What do you want, Train? Why are you here, unannounced at that?”

“I know. I’m sorry. But I’m desperate. I’m really concerned about Trip, and I really need your help. He’s becoming erratic, and I was hoping you…”

I started shaking my head.

I selected the talk button and said, “Oh no, Train. Trip isn’t my problem anymore, remember? We are over. If you want help, you better look for it someplace else.”

I heard Train sigh, but I waited. Looking back, I should have just walked away from the intercom. But I didn’t.

Train said, “Maxine, I understand he messed up big time, and he doesn’t deserve you. But you are my only hope. No one cares about Trip. They only care about what they can get from him. Talking to anyone else will only make things worse. Please, I really need your help. You are my last hope.”

It was my turn to be silent. I knew for a fact the people Trip has around him don’t care about him the way Train does.

I rolled my eyes and said, “I will give you twenty minutes of my time. And I’m only talking to you, Train.”

“Oh yeah, of course, Max. Trip doesn’t even know I’m here.”

So I buzzed him in and opened my door. When my eyes fell on Train, I could see the genuine concern for his brother all over him. My tension eased as I led him to the couch.

“So what’s going on?” I asked getting right to the point.

Train watched me closely and then nodded.

“I’m not sure, really. I think he’s using, but what exactly he’s on I couldn’t tell you.”

“Doesn’t he get tested? I know for a fact the league tests all their fighters.”

Train nodded.

“Yes, of course, and he’s passing. But hell, you know he could have someone piss for him. I’m just trying to figure out how to ask him what’s going on in a way that doesn’t make him flip his lid, you know.”

“I don’t know if I’m the person to help you, Train. I mean I’m studying to be a nurse, yes. But this isn’t my field of expertise.” We stared at each other for a second before I said to him, “What’s he doing that has you concerned?”