Chapter 137
A muscle in his jaw ticks.
“Get back in position p>
“No p>
He stares at me.
“You wanted to train p>
“Yeah, and now I want to know why you’re acting like a pissed off bear that someone poked with a stick p>
“That’s not none of your business p>
“Oh it absolutely is my business when you’re the one throwing me onto the mat every thirty seconds p>
His eyes narrow slightly.
“You’re exaggerating p>
“Am I p>
I take a step toward him.
“You’ve been slamming that punching bag like it owes you money since I walked in here p>
He says nothing.
“So something c clearly happened,” I continue.
Still nothing.
I sigh dramatically.
“You’re unbelievably stubborn p>
“And you’re unbelievably nosy p>
“Yes I am p>
I shrug.
“Glad we cleared that up p>
He turns slightly, clearly intending to walk past me toward the punching bag again.
I step right in front of him.
“Don’t walk away from em p>
“Move p>
“No p>
“Elaine p>
“Zane p>
We stand there for a second, staring at each other like two people who absolutely refuse to back down.
“You’re ve very exhausting,” he mutters.
“And you’re brooding p>
“I’m not brooding p>
“You’re absolutely brooding p>
“I’m training you p>
“No, you’re punching things because you’re mad about something p>
He exhales slowly through his nose, like he’s trying very hard not to lose his patience with me.
“Last warning,” he says.
“Or what p>
He looks at me and there’s something in his eyes that makes my stomach twist slightly.
“Drop it p>
I tilt my head.
“Make me p>
Yeah, definitely not my smartest moment today.
His shoulders stiffen slightly bur instead of snapping immediately, he turns away from me again and walks over to the punching bag.
Fine!. If he thinks ignoring me is going to work p>
I follow him.
“You know what I think?” I say.
He hits the bag.
THUD.
“I think you’re upset about something.” I say again
THUD.
“And instead of dealing with it like a normal human being p>
THUD.
“You decided beating me up during training would make you feel better p>
The bag swings wildly now as Zane’s fists slam into it again and again and again, each punch harder than the last.
“You done?” he mutters.
“No p>
He hits the bag again.
THUD.
“You know,” I continue casually, “someone told me something interesting this morning p>
That punch lands harder, the chain rattling above us.
“Elaine p>
“About your sister p>
The next punch stops halfway, the bag swings slowly back toward him and his shoulders go completely still.
Uh oh.
Okay, that definitely got his attention.
I fold my arms again.
“So,” I say carefully, “today is the anniversary p>
He doesn’t turn around and for a second I wonder if he’s just going to keep ignoring me.
Then his voice comes out quiet
“Who told you p>
“Martha p>
A pause.
“I see p>
Another silence stretches between us as the bag finally stops swinging.
I shift my weight slightly.
“So… are you going to tell me why you’re acting like the world is ending p>
Nothing.
“Zane p>
Still nothing.
I sigh loudly, wondering what’s wrong with me and why I freaking care.
“You know what? Fine if you don’t want to talk about it that’s your p>
“It’s your brother’s fault p>
The words come out so suddenly I actually blink.
Zane turns around slowly and the look on his face is different now. It’s not like the calm, controlled mask he usually wears.
“You heard me p>
I stare at him dumbfounded.
“My brother p>
“Yes your brother. Little spitfire p>
“What are you talking about p>
He laughs but it is short and humorless.
“Of course you are going to pretend you don’t know p>
“I seriously do not p>
His hands drop to his sides. For a moment he just stands there like he’s deciding how much he wants to say then something in his expression snaps.
“You want to know why today matters?” he says.
“Yes p>
“Because today is the day my sister died p>
I swallow.
“I already know that p>
“She didn’t die from some random accident or Some kind of illness p>
The way he says it sends a chill up my spine.
“She was killed p>
The word hangs heavy in the air between us.
“Killed?” I repeat quietly.
“Yes killed p>
I shake my head slightly.
“I still don’t understand what that has to do with my brother p>
Zane’s eyes lock onto mine coldly
“Everything. It has everything to do with him”
My stomach tightens.
“What do you mean everything p>
His voice drops lower.
“The attack that killed her wasn’t meant for her p>
My chest tightens slightly.
“It was meant for me p>
The training room suddenly feels smaller and hotter.
“But the people behind it?” he continues.
“They were working with someone who wanted me gone p>
I frown.
“Who p>
Zane holds my gaze for a long moment.
Then he says it.
“Your brother p>
The words hit me like someone shoved me backwards.
“What p>
“You heard me p>
“That’s that’s not possible at all p>
His expression hardens.
“Believe whatever makes you feel better p>
“My brothers wouldn’t, none of them would do that p>
“Your brother funded and arranged the operation that led to her death p>
“No”
Zane laughs again but there’s nothing amused about the sound.
“Your denial is impressive p>
“You’re wrong p>
“Am I p>
“Yes p>
He takes one slow step closer.
“You want the truth?” he says quietly.
“My sister was in the car with me that night p>
My throat feels dry.
“We were supposed to meet someone p>
He looks past me slightly, like the memory is sitting somewhere over my shoulder.
“The car never made it there p>
I don’t speak.
“Bullets hit us before we even turned the corner p>
His jaw tightens.
“She didn’t even see it coming p>
The room is completely silent now.
“And the people who planned it,” he finishes, “had money coming from your family p>
My head shakes automatically.
“No p>
“Yes p>
“That’s not p>
“You wanted to know why I’m in a bad mood today p>
His eyes meet mine again.
“This is why p>
The words sit between us like something heavy.