Her jaw tightened as she stepped in closer to me. She was too close. “That doesn’t mean it’s gone, and based on the panic attacks and nightmares, it’s still getting to you.”
I needed to get away from the bar.
I needed to get away fromher.
“It’s not. I’m fine, Blaize.”
The tension stretched between us, thick enough to suffocate. She didn’t ease on her gaze nor did she give me a way to escape. I was trapped between this woman and her paralyzing stare.
“You’re lying, Kadence, and I am going to figure out what demons you’re hiding.”
I swallowed hard. Defect. Scream. Do fucking something, damnit. Why was I frozen under her? “Why do you care?”
It was an honest question. She didn’t worry before. She didn’t bother with me or my feelings. All Blaize wanted was my story and my trauma, but she didn’t deserve to know.
“You’re not as fine as you pretend to be, and that causes problems for everyone.” When she said it, she didn’t look as stern or domineering as she normally was. Her features softened, almost like she actually cared about me and my well-being. I didn’t like how that soft look made me feel. When I didn’t say anything, she sighed. “Go home. Rest.”
I felt like I could finally breathe now. I slipped away from her and the wall, reaching for the door handle as I turned to look at her. “You don’t have to pretend you care, Blaize. I don’t need pity or false sympathy.”
And with that, I left her in the alleyway.
CHAPTER 33
BLAIZE
Icouldn’t get her out of my head. Kadence Hayes was trouble with a pretty face, all wrapped in temptation. My club was filled with beautiful, half-naked women, and none of them had the effect Kadence had on me. She walked in here with secrets stitched in her skin, and suddenly I was unravelling at the seams. Kadence made me suffer things I haven’t felt since Olivia stole my heart. After I lost her, I put a shield around that same heart, and blocked out any emotions. I focused on my club and never wanted to experience the pain of losing someone I loved again.
My fist collided with the worn punching back in my gym, simmering the erratic emotions swimming in my mind. This was my outlet, but even now, it wasn’t helping me. Punch after scathing punch, my mind focused on her.
Only her.
Why did she have to be so breathtaking? Hell, why did she have to choose my town to run to when escaping her demons? She was hiding something. I knew it the moment I saw her in Roadhouse. No ID. No background. No history. She was a ghost, but even ghosts could bring problems.
“You don’t have to pretend you care, Blaize. I don’t need pity or false sympathy.”
Someone hurt her. It was the only explanation behind the jumpiness and the nightmares. Now I wanted to know if it was an ex, a parent, or a stranger. I didn't understand why I cared so much. A part of it was simply because I wanted to know who she was, but I also wanted to know the bastard who put that broken look into her eyes. I wanted to make them bleed if they were still breathing. My toxic habit was using my fists to make people hurt when they made pretty women cry.
I let out a frustrated groan and released a fury of back-to-back punches, only stopping when I felt the sting of my split knuckle and my fist smearing the blood on the punching bag. I flexed my hand, watching the blood ooze onto the hardwood floor. The pain wasn’t much. If anything, it felt electrifying. It was the only way I knew I was alive instead of being an empty shell of a once happy person. It wouldn’t be the first time this has happened, and I was sure I'd have more bloody, bruised knuckles in the future.
I raked my fingers through my hair, feeling the blood smear through the strands. The adrenaline was slowly wearing off, and I could feel the agony in my muscles from the exertion I put into my workout. I needed it, even if it didn’t help calm the beast inside me. I never got hung up over a woman, especially one I haven’t touched. And I wouldn’t start today.
I slipped out of my sweaty workout clothes and stepped into the scalding, hot water. The liquid inferno felt magnificent on my aching skin, despite the searing sensation, I welcomed it, craving any distraction from her memory. Nothing would happen between us, and I knew that.
The next two nights, Hades would be busy with patrons and a visit with Cinder. There was a new threat, and I had to pretend everything was fine while dealing with Kadence and whatevershe would bring to the table. Hunter and Hawke swore the girl was fine, but I could see past her innocent, green eyes. She was hiding something, and it would eventually hurt my club.
Annika would bring her Friday. Telling Annika to stay home would ruin my profits. She and her guys were money makers on stage. Kadence wasn’t informed of the strip club being closed, but not having a schedule should put two and two together. There was a need inside me, craving her reaction, to know her darkest secrets and hidden desires. Hades was created to let someone's dark side out. What was Kadence’s?
It was a contradiction, but I wanted to see the lust in her eyes as she watched people fuck on stage, to see the desire kiss her skin with the world of kink all around her.
I needed to take back power when it came to Kadence instead of letting her inside my head. But God help me…I didn’t want control when it came to her.
CHAPTER 34
KADENCE
Iwoke up around seven in the evening after everything that happened last night. After the man grabbed me and I ran outside like a coward, Annika brought me home and I cried in the shower. Even after I took my medicine, I couldn’t sleep because of how loud my mind was. If I was being honest, my body was alive because of how close Blaize was to me. I didn’t like how she made me feel, especially when she stated time and time again that she didn’t trust me. The push and pull with her was insane.
I sighed, pushing the covers off my body and walking into my bathroom. Once I finished brushing my teeth, I made my way into the living room. Annika and the guys were all snuggled together on the couch, watching reruns ofSupernatural. I glanced at them, and then checked the clock by the front door to confirm my phone wasn’t wrong.