Page 56 of Goldsin

Never wavers,

but it does with your judgment.

You can’t resist its call,

like a siren to a sailor.

But this time it’s different;

you’re not the only one being lured in.

The shine fades,

the rust takes over your body and soul.

Its weight drags you down into an abyss of greed and corruption.

And when you finally touch rock bottom,

there will be gold to cushion your fall.”

If we were at school, I’d know how to analyze the shit out of it.

It’s a sick joke. Theodore Montclair and I share the same fate, but while he knew how to express himself with words, I prefer fists.

“Wait here,” I tell her, my tone softer this time.

Aurelia hesitates for a moment before nodding, and I leave her alone in the bedroom while I go into the connected bathroom to prepare a bath for her.

I turn the faucet and it groans to life. I watch the water fill the tub, the sound a soothing, steady harmony as it echoes off the bathroom tile. I turn the faucet further to the side and let warmer water stream down. Steam fills the air, sticking to my already damp skin.

Memories of tonight at the Den flood my mind.

The first image to appear is that son of a bitch who dared to put his filthy hands on her. But then guilt overpowers the memory and I start to feel like shit for being fucking blind to it all.

I was fighting in the ring when I sawAurelia disappear with that piece of shit. In that moment I couldn’t care less about the thunderous cheer of the crowd or defending my title of Most Ruthless Fighter in Seattle. All that mattered was finding her and making sure she was safe.

With a vicious punch, I knocked my opponent out cold, giving the crowd one last opportunity to roar as I raced after her.

I found them just in time, but the anger and guilt still burn within me. Anger at him for touching her, and anger at myself for letting it happen.

But more than anger, the guilt is relentless.

All the punches I throw and all the victories I claim mean nothing if I can’t protect her.

I’m already failing at protecting someone else in my life—I can’t fail at protecting her too.

“Julian?” Aurelia’s voice startles me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turn to face the door, my jaw clenching. “I’m almost done in here.”

“Okay.”

I hear her steps echo next as she walks around my room.

She’s probably taking in how much my room has changed since the last time she was here. Just like I did when I walked into hers.

With a final glance at the now full bathtub, I shut off the water and walk back to my room.

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