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Chapter Twenty-Four

Stone

With a deep exhale, I push open the gym door, and the room falls silent. Cole and Jace freeze in the boxing ring and stare back at me as if they’ve seen a ghost. It’s comical, really, and I chuckle at their awkwardness.

Jace clears his throat and steps forward first, scrubbing a hand over his already messy head. “Stone, I don’t think you should be here, man.” Their eyes cut toward one another’s, then back to mine. They know something; every fucker knows something but me.

But not anymore.

Anger bubbles inside me like a volcano threatening to spill with violent aggression. Determination zips up my spine, and I stare at him head-on, my jaw clenching tight.

This time, I refuse to back down and accept what someone is telling me. I step forward, and he steps back while Cole remains unmoving. “I’m lost,” I state. “I’m lost, and I need someone to help find me.” Sympathy flashes over Cole’s face, and I hate it, but right now, I’ll take it. “I want answers,” I grit out. “And up here”—I tap my forehead—“tells me I’m going to get those answers here.” I stab my finger toward the floor.

“What if you’re not ready?” Jace asks, then sighs heavily.

“Were you?” I snipe back, knowing his past is just as turbulent. When he discovered his long-lost girl was having a relationship with his foster brothers and was harboring dark secrets from her past, he had no choice but to be ready too.

“No,” he replies.

I stare back at him. “Do you regret it?”

He lifts his chin. “Never.” The determination in his eyes is full of his arrogant, confident self, and I smirk.

“Then help me,” I implore, holding his gaze.

He turns to face Cole and lifts his chin. “Make the call.”