Page 49 of Shallow

But it isn’t his body that claims most of my attention. There’s a hardness in his eyes. A stare so vicious I don’t know whether to run for my life or fall to my knees and beg forit.

“Really?” he hisses. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re about two seconds away from shoving your dick in herass.”

Frankie’s eyes darken. “Knock it off, Cary, you’re overreactin’. We werejust—”

“I was talking toher.”

“Man, shut up,” Tiny pipes up from the floor just to the right of the ring. “Just take a look at her face. You think she busted up her ownchin?”

I can see the moment his words register in Cary’s head. His stoned expression evaporates, leaving only confusion. “What happened,Shy?”

“It was nothing. Ifell.”

“Jesus,” Frankie groans, climbing out of the ring in a huff. “Fell, my ass. Genius here decided to walk from Alvarez Street and got jumped by someScorpions.”

Cary swivels his head around, bearing his teeth. “You didwhat?”

“I did not get jumped,” I argue, throwing Frankie an eat-shit glare. “They robbed me and I took a header to the street. That’sall.”

“That’s all? Shiloh, of all the stupid, irresponsible, selfish shit…” Stopping himself mid-sentence, he grabs handfuls of his inky black hair and tugs wildly as he paces. “They could’ve killedyou.”

It strikes me as odd he even gives a shit. His behavior is erratic at best, putting thoughts in my head that have no business being there. Thoughts I don’t deserve to consider as a possiblereality.

Does he stillcare?

Before I can ask, Cary straightens his spine, the blank look from earlier settling across his gorgeous face. “Fine. Shit happens. So, I’ll repeat myself. What the fuck is all this about?” He gestures to the ring I’m still standing in like some ridiculousstatue.

“Just thought I’d teach her some moves, boss,” Frankie says, grabbing a small white hand towel. “You know, if some dick ever tries to come at heragain.”

Nobody moves or speaks as Cary presses his lips together until I’m positive his lip ring is going to draw blood. I’m about to climb out of the ring when he swings a pointed finger down the line of boys then indicates toward thedoor.

“Everybodyout.”

Nobody moves and Cary’s face takes on a shade of red I’ve only seen one other time in my life. It’s because of that shade of red that I keep my mouthshut.

“I said go home or I swear to God, I’ll have every one of you banned forlife.”

One by one, the boys file out of the center, some muttering to themselves, but most of them completely silent. Frankie is the last one to leave, stopping right beside Cary on his way out for some unspoken alpha cock show before turning away and closing the door behindhim.

The moment we’re alone, I stare down at him, wondering what he thinks he’s doing. Bossing me around like I’m his pet is getting on my nerves, although, if I’m being honest, dressed in a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black boots, he looks intimidating ashell.

Shaking his head, he effortlessly lifts the top rope and climbs inside. As soon as I see him reach over his shoulder and pull his t-shirt over his head, I lower my eyes. Even the strongest woman has limits, and his beautifully decorated chest and pierced nipples just might breakmine.

“If you’re going to learn to defend yourself, it should be fromme.”

I glance up, the protectiveness in his tone making me question his motives. “They were just trying to help. You weren’there.”

“And that’s myfault?”

I’m too exhausted to deal with his mood swings, or even begin to try to decipher what the hell they mean. “Look, Cary, it’s been a long day, and I don’t think my body can handle any more. I’ve already got bruises on top ofbruises.”

Cursing low under his breath, he runs a hand through his hair and tugs at the strands. “Whatever. Just go clean up before your face gets evenmore…”

“Fucked up?” I finish forhim.

“I was going to sayinfected.”

I shrug, not buying his save, but appreciating the attempt nonetheless. “Samething.”