\[Elise’s POV\]
I let out a sigh of relief as steaming hot water ran over my body. Who knew that Marty wouldn’t go easy on me while we were training and would leave me so damn sore? I felt my muscles screaming at me.
“I’ll make him pay.” I growl, beginning to wash my body. “Just wait. Come tomorrow, I’ll make sure that he is the one who is hurting.”
‘All those months of being locked up took a toll on your body.’ Anna notes, joining me in my misery. ‘You need to get back in shape.’
‘No shit.’ I huff, turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’
Letting out a growl of frustration, I grab my robe and pull it around my body. Once it is secure, I head out of the bathroom to find Marty relaxing on the couch with a beer in hand.
“Took you long enough.” He says, turning his gaze toward me. “I was beginning to wonder if you drowned in there.”
“If I did, it would have been your fault.” I shoot back, snatching his drink from him and downing it. “Do you have no mercy for women?”
“Men, women, rogues, freaks—they're all the same to me.” He smirks. “You have to think of every battle as a life-or-death situation; otherwise, when you’re really in that scenario, you will surely lose.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Letting out a huff, I plop down on the couch beside him and throw up my feet while I lean my head back on the cushion behind me.
“I’m beat.”
“As you should be.” Marty chuckles. “You went up against the great me. I’m actually impressed you were able to hold your own so well.”
“Don’t take me lightly.” I say, turning my head to meet his gaze. “Just because I didn’t win today doesn’t mean I won’t tomorrow.”
“You can try.” Marty says his voice challenging. “But I’ll let you know that no one has managed to outdo me yet.”
“What about back in...”
Eyes widening, I stop as I realize exactly what is about to come out of me. What about back in Italy when Marty was caught off guard and knocked out so that Denali could be kidnapped?
“Don’t think back on that time.”
Nodding, I try to ignore the guilt that is beginning to build in me as I remember everything I put not only him, but even Denali and Rosco through.
“Ugh, feelings suck.” I groan, not wanting to deal with the memories. “What the hell is even becoming of me?”
As I speak, Marty reaches out and places a hand on my head while his gaze stays locked on me. And as I stare back, I can see the understanding he is trying to portray for me.
Right. He was the same as me. He was killed because he was asked to by those who accepted him while the rest didn’t. I guess even if I didn’t want to openly admit it, we were actually alike, and I guess that meant we would be cell buddies in hell.
“If you don’t learn to forgive yourself, then how can you move forward?”
His words are like a knife that chips at the wall that I built so tightly around me. Even if I wanted to deny what he was saying, say that I was fine, he already knew that what he said was getting to me.
“Are you a life coach?” I sigh, trying to lighten the mood. “Because…”
The rest of my words get lost as someone knocks at the door, saving me from having to continue with this uncomfortable conversation but also putting me on guard. Who could it be this late? Was something happening?
As these thoughts begin to erupt in my mind, Marty gets up and pulls open the door so that Rosco and a man that I’ve never seen appear.
“Good evening!” Marty announces, moving aside and motioning the two men in. “To what do we owe the honor of your company?”
“He,” Rosco says, giving the man beside him a pointed look. “Wanted to speak with Elise.”
Instantly, I go on alert as I examine the man while wondering if I ever did anything to him. Was he someone I encountered in my past who wanted to get revenge on me, or was I getting taken back to prison because Rosco had a change of heart?
“Don’t be so scared of me.” The man chuckles, not missing the shift in my mood. “I would never do anything to hurt such a beautiful lady.”
“That is to be determined.” I say slowly, my guard going up. “What exactly is it that you want with me?”
Growing quiet, I wait as the man watches me with his honey-colored eyes, and even though he is trying to keep his expression light, I can see the unease in his gaze.
“I was told that you have visions.” He begins, deciding to be straight-forward with me. “And since I’ve never met someone with that type of ability, I wanted to pick your brain.”
As he speaks, his lips begin to twitch into a smile while his eyes light up with excitement. For a moment.
“Not interested.” I announce, relaxing in my seat again. “I don’t feel like being treated like a science experiment.”
“An experiment?” The man repeats, moving forward and taking a seat beside me. “I’ll have you know science was my worst subject in school, so I wouldn’t even begin to know how to go about doing that.”
As he speaks, he scoots closer until his body is almost pressing against mine.
“Distance!” I hiss, jumping up only to be stopped by his hand wrapping around my wrist.
Immediately, I go on alert, letting a growl of warning escape me while Marty and Rosco watch the whole exchange.
“Are either of you going to do something about this creep?” I demand as he continues to hang onto me. “Or are you giving me free reign to kill him?”
I didn’t know who he was or what the hell he was trying to do, but to enter my bubble and touch me was going too far. Only I was allowed to invade others spaces.
“Jose.” Rosco finally sighs, narrowing his gaze on the man. “Don’t you think you’ve freaked her out enough?”
“No, I don’t think I have.” Jose counters. “And if she is going to help me, she is going to need to trust me.”
“Trust you?” I repeat, shooting Rosco a look. “Could you explain to me what this crazy man is thinking?”
“It’s about your vision.” He explains. “In order for Jose to get a better idea of what he is tracking, he needs your help.”
“And how can I help?” I demand, not believing what I was hearing. “I don’t quite...”
“I need you to show me what you saw.” Jose explains, causing my heart to squeeze. “Maybe then I can pick up on where I should be looking.”
“You can’t be serious.” I hiss, not wanting to relive that fucking scene. “Sorry, but find someone else to help you, because it won’t be me.”