Kings of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #1) - Caroline Peckham ,Susanne Valenti Page 0,125

time, the Night Keepers looked at me like they were waiting for me to speak out, to refuse it, to demand a full meal. But I bit my tongue and chomped through the tasteless crunch of lettuce like a pet rabbit. By dinner, I even thanked Saint for my wonderful meal. That might have been overkill come to think of it. But he’d frowned like I was pissing him right off so I hoped he was getting the message.

A run had probably been a bad idea. I was feeling a bit light-headed. But I wasn’t going to survive a few weeks of this if I didn’t have an outlet for my rage.

Saint hadn’t given me any direction after dinner, and I’d decided I wasn’t going to return to The Temple until they beckoned me. I didn’t wanna be stuck in their company for more hours than was absolutely necessary. But I imagined they’d soon come up with more creative ways to torture me. So this was just the quiet before the storm.

I still didn’t have my phone back from Mr Monroe so I had no idea what time it was. But as I thought of it, the memory of his offer suddenly struck me like a heart attack.

I was on my feet before I’d even really made the decision, quickening my pace to a run until I was flat out sprinting in the direction of the Cypress Gym. How had it taken me this freaking long to remember his offer? After everything that had happened last night, I’d completely forgotten about it. But now, holy shit, I had an ally that could actually damn help me!

I raced up the wooden steps that led into the gym, pushing the glass doors open and jogging into the corridor. An open door to my left gave me a view into the huge gym and I hunted the space for Monroe; there were a few students working out, their machines looking out over the incredible Olympic sized pool through a glass window at the far end of the room. The state of the art equipment was fitted with screens and not even the Plague walking in made anyone take notice.

I spotted Monroe marching out of a room to my right and an actual smile ripped into my face.

“Sir!” I hurried toward him and he offered me a scowl, shouldering the gym bag he was carrying.

“You’re late, Rivers. Don’t waste my fucking time.”

“No, wait.” I caught his arm, squeezing tightly and giving him an anxious look. All of my hopes were pinned on him in that moment. He could be the answer to my prayers.

“I don’t have my phone. I didn’t know the time.”

His brows knitted together and he nodded stiffly, reaching into his pocket and taking my phone from it. He held it out for me and I took it with greedy fingers, muttering a thanks.

“Come on then,” he growled, turning around and leading me back towards the room he’d vacated.

I hurried to follow him, my heart thumping a whole new tune as he led me inside and the door swung shut behind me.

Training mats were laid out on the floor and a row of expensive looking gear was hanging on the walls. From shields to gloves, hand straps and fighting sticks. On the far side of the large room was a boxing ring with a row of belts displayed on the wall behind it.

Monroe tossed me a pair of gloves and I strapped them on, relaxing at the feel of something so familiar to me. It had been a while since I’d trained, but the familiar keen rush of blood to my muscles swept through me and it felt like awakening from the depths of a nightmare.

For the longest moment I just felt…good. Ecstatic even.

Monroe picked up one of the padded strike shields and held it in front of him as he moved to the centre of the mat.

“Let’s see what you’ve got then, princess,” he said in a tone that suggested he expected to be unimpressed. I didn’t care about impressing him, but I sure as shit was gonna take an opportunity to vent this rage living in my bones.

I moved toward him in a flash, throwing the first punch with a yell of anger. Then another and another, working hard to free the tension in my body. I stepped back, aiming a fierce kick at the centre of the pad and forcing him back a step. I didn’t even care to