Page 19 of Ravaged Soul

From the breakfast bar, Blaine chokes on a laugh. I ignore him and watch Axel’s brows raise along with his quickly growing grin.

“That’s my ball-buster.”

When I move to toss the pills into my mouth, his smile falters.

“Um, probably not advisable to take those with a beer. I need to look at your injuries too. Hyland told me that he found you nearly passed out.”

“That little rat,” I mutter under my breath.

“Yep. He’s a real snake.”

Glancing at where I’m clenching the beer bottle, the damage from assaulting the boxing bag without wraps is apparent. My hands are puffy, the skin enflamed and littered with shallow lacerations.

In the moment, I felt nothing. The pain was inconsequential. It didn’t matter that I blasted past every last physical limit I have, particularly since the epilepsy diagnosis. All I wanted was to get my rage out.

Setting the beer aside, I nod in defeat. Axel quickly fills a water glass then slides it over for me. The pressure of Blaine watching us both burns into my skin as I focus on swallowing my pills.

“When is your next follow-up?” Blaine asks.

“Tomorrow,” I reply.

“Are the pills working?”

Axel flashes him a dark look. “Stay out of this.”

“I’m not allowed to ask?”

“You’re not allowed to pretend like you care or you’re part of this team.”

Blaine narrows his eyes on my golden psycho. “I do care.”

“You’re not capable of it.”

“Because you are?” he combats.

“For her? Fuck yes. Ember is our family. Don’t ever question what I’d do for her.”

“Right,” Blaine drawls. “And we all knowfamilyis so precious to you.”

I watch Axel immediately stiffen.

“Shut it, Madden.”

“After all, Sabre is all you have left now.”

“Final fucking warning.”

“Or what?” Blaine waggles his eyebrows.

“You do not want to find out,” Axel cautions threateningly.

“I think I do.”

Something festers between them—a palpable tension that raises my hackles. Studying Axel’s body language, he appears to shake himself when he notices my stare, trying to relax as he looks away from Blaine.

“Bathroom.” Axel points in that direction. “Let’s clean those hands up.”

“What’s going on?” I ditch the empty water glass.