The Million Dollar Man

I shrugged and looked down, my eyes trailing over my pale limbs. I had been training pretty hard with Callum, and I guess I wasn't eating as much as I used to, but I hardly thought I looked different.

<< I want you to go work on the weight machine to start. You need some muscles on your twig-like body. >> I frowned at his words and looked myself over again, my frown deepening.

I had always been pretty thin, but had enough curves to get by. For the first time ever, I felt almost self-conscious, my eyes scrutinizing my reflection on the wall sized mirror across the gym.

Large hangs grasped my waist, and I let out a small gasp and tensed up. Sebastian was now standing directly behind me, his eyes focused on the same mirror. My breath caught in my throat, and I shook slightly. His hands slid up so they were resting just above my upper ribcage, his fingers dangerously close to my rapidly rising and falling chest.

<< Don't look at yourself like that. >> He said quietly, his head angling downwards so that his mouth was brushing against my neck, just below my ear.

I remained still, my eyes transfixed onto the mirror as if I were watching a horror movie.

<< I just don't want you to get hurt. >>

His words seemed to awaken me, and I jolted away, my body stumbling forwards as I distanced myself from him.

Without another word, I made my way to the weight machine. I stood before it, my eyes looking over all the different exercise options it gave me, but my mind was elsewhere.

<< I just don't want you to get hurt. >>

What in the world did that mean?

Sebastian infuriated me like no other, and I have never disliked someone so much before. He was incredibly uncaring, which was something that I was used to- being part of a gang, I never had many heart to hearts with people. It was different with Sebastian though. He knew how to push all my buttons and I couldn't figure him out for the life of me.

<< Here. >> My head snapped up, and I pressed my lips together in a firm line.

You really have to stop zoning out like that, I scolded myself.

Sebastian motioned for me to lie across the bench, just under the bar. He placed a few weights on each end, and then placed it into my awaiting hands. I sucked in a large breath of air, and proceeded to lift the bar up and down, my muscles straining.

Sebastian had moved away from me, and was violently attacking the punching bag in the corner. There was an unbelievable amount of power packed behind each punch, and I couldn't help but watch in awe. His tight gray shirt was quickly darkening due to the sweat that drenched him.

I startled cry left my lips as my arms gave out, and the bar came crashing down, just narrowly missed my head.

Sebastian's eyes were wide and shocked as he whipped around. Within seconds, he was leaning over me, his eyes roaming over me with the slightest bit of concern coating his features.

« Good God Evie, » Sebastian muttered, helping me up. I scowled out of embarrassment at my actions and took a couple steps away, trying to catch my breath.

<< I- I... shut up. >> I stuttered, my heart still pattering speedily inside my chest. Sebastian only shook his head at me, before returning to the punching bag, pulling his shirt off in the process. His glistening back required all of the will power within myself to tear my eyes away and work on lifting weights.

After a couple more minutes, Sebastian walked back over to me, a ghost smirk shadowing over his lips.

<< Ready for the real stuff? >> He asked, a challenging look taking over his expression.

I raised my brows at him and scoffed, entering the ring eagerly.

I had been training with Callum this whole week- I was ready to finally show Sebastian that I wasn't some hopeless little girl that he deemed me to be.

Sebastian seemed very amused by my reaction, and began to bounce around, warming himself up. I examined his actions before taking stance, my heart rate increasing.

<< I won't go easy on you. >> The familiar mischievous look was back in his eyes and we circled each other threateningly.

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<< I wouldn't expect anything less. >> My lips pulled back into an animalistic like snarl, and I shot at him, our bodies colliding.

My blood pounded in my ears as we fought viciously, both of us struggling to gain the upper hand in the fight.

We broke apart, and began circling each other again. My eyes inspected his movements thoroughly, waiting hopefully for him to slip up, to make a mistake that would allow me a chance to strike.

In this fight, there was no predator versus prey feel to it. We were both animals in that moment, blood thirsty and hungry for control.

<< Come on, Evie, » he taunted me. << Is that really all you've got ? >>

I spat out a bitter laugh at his attempt to make me snap. << Good try King, but you're going to have to do better than that. >>

His fist flew towards me, which I easily dodged. Our movements were swift and rapid, and my chest ached from my labored breathing. In fact, my calves were throbbing from my constant movement, and my arms felt heavy, making in difficult for me to continue.

But I wouldn't let Sebastian win this one.

I smirked at him, my eyes narrowing. << Really Sebastian? You're a gang leader! Is this really the best you've got ? >>

A growl erupted from Sebastian, and he lunged at me, his eyes blazing with unleashed fury.

I knew I had hit a nerve, and was now in deep trouble.

I was able to avoid his first attack, but nothing prepared me for him to spin back around and tackle me onto the hard mat. A gust of air left my lungs and I lay underneath Sebastian, winded and dazed.

<< Fighting words, Evelyn. » He hissed, his furious face inches away from mine. << Fighting words. >>

<< Did I upset you? »

Leave it to Evelyn Summers to push someone beyond their boiling point, and then continuing to further anger them.

Sebastian rolled off of me, his figure towering over my body.

<< You want to play it like that? >>

<< That's exactly how you've been going about it. » I retorted, propping myself up into a sitting position.

Sebastian scoffed, looking away before meeting my determined blue eyes.

<< I had a meeting last night, » Sebastian told me, now walking around me. I remained unmoving, my body tensed in anticipation. << Since the attack, our numbers have gone up. The drug rings are bringing in much more money than before, oh and- we were even able to get a few new girls. >>

He casually walked in circles around my motionless body.

This was now a predator versus prey situation.

Sebastian had stopped in front of me, crouching down to my eye level.

<< New girls? >> I asked, my tone icy and cold.

His eyes searched mine before he spoke again. << Yes of course. See, we had to find someone to take Sarah's spot, and in our midst, we came upon two others also. >>

Have you ever gotten so mad, that you actually shook? Because at that moment, my body was trembling with pent up anger.