Page 10 of Fury

“No idea,” I say casually. “He just said it was urgent.”

We arrive at the boxing club, and I round the car to open her door. Chevy joins us, and we walk in together, pushing people out the way to make room for her. We see Lester waving from the office doorway, so I guide Xanthe that way. My heart is slamming so hard in my chest, I can hardly hear the crowd as they cheer on the current fighters. Xanthe looks around frantically, and I gently slip my hand into hers and give it a reassuring squeeze before releasing it again.

Lester opens the office door, and Donnie is pacing back and forth. He stops as we step into the office, rushing to Xanthe and pulling her into his arms. “I’m so sorry to bring you here like this.”

“What’s going on?” she asks, and I notice a slight waver in her voice.

“You know I wouldn’t normally involve you, but this kid, he’s . . . important to me.” He steps back, keeping his arm around Xanthe. There’s a beat-up teenager slouched in the corner, and Xanthe inhales sharply. “He got involved in something, and I can’t send him home like that.” He leads her closer, and the teen stirs. “Can you patch him up?”

“He should really go to the hospital, Donnie,” she says, shaking her head.

“And I promise I’ll have his mum take him, but before that, can you check him over so I can tell her he’s okay?”

I see the internal battle she’s having with herself before eventually nodding. “Okay.”

I inwardly groan as Donnie pulls out a bag of first aid stuff. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Donnie pats Chevy on the shoulder. “Can we go for a chat?” Then, he turns to me. “Wait with her andcome find me when she’s done.” I give a slight nod, opening the door for them to leave.

I stay by the door as she tends to the kid. After a few minutes, she turns back to look at me. “What’s going on?” she hisses.

“I have no idea,” I say blankly, staring at the wall opposite me.

“Reese,” she snaps.

“Fury,” I correct her.

She marches over until I have no choice but to look at her. “Do you work for Donnie?”

“Are you fucking him?” I growl, surprised how bitter the words sound out loud.

“Stop answering my questions with a question,” she demands.

“Do what he’s asked you to do,” I mutter, looking back to the opposite wall. “He can’t know we know each other.”

“Why?”

“He just can’t,” I snap, and she jumps at my words before slowly backing up and tending to the kid.

Once she’s done, she stands fully. “He’s got concussion,” she tells me.

“I’ll get Donnie,” I mutter, opening the office door to find him just a few feet away. He looks my way, and I wave for him to come over. “She’s all done,” I tell him.

He comes into the office and runs his eyes over the kid. “Is he okay?”

“Concussed,” Xanthe replies. “He needs rest and regular painkillers.”

“Perfect. No lasting damage then?”

“I don’t know about that. He needs to see a doctor ASAP.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll arrange that.” He slides his hand over Xanthe’s cheek, and I drop my eyes to the ground as he places a gentle kiss on her lips. “Thank you for sorting this, babe. I’llmake it up to you. Fury will take you home.” He throws me the car keys.

“I can walk,” she mutters.

“Xanthe,” he says firmly until she meets his eye, “go with Fury. He’s a pussy cat.”

She gives a stiff nod and follows me from the room. Outside, I open the car door, and she slides into the back seat. I get into the driver’s seat and start the engine. It’s only as I pull into traffic that I hear her softly crying to herself. My heart twists painfully, just like it used to whenever she was upset.Fuck.It’s like we’ve never been apart.

I slow outside her house, and before I can open her door, she jumps out and rushes up the path. I groan, getting out and following her. She slams the door in my face, and I rest my forehead against it. “Xanth, come on,” I plead.

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