THE WILD CAT

Chapter 18

It had been weeks since Riley and Armani shared an intimate moment. Since then, Armani had been acting like Riley did not exist, and Riley was glad about that.

Everyone was at the gym, including Riley, who was being trained by Anthonio.

Anthonio was helping Riley lift the dumbbells, holding them with her because her hands were getting tired.

While she was working out, Riley noticed Armani staring at her body. She got distracted and accidentally dropped the dumbbell on Anthonio’s leg.

“f**k!” Anthonio yelled, making Riley’s eyes widen.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” Riley said immediately.

“Can’t you f*****g see?” Anthonio snapped, stepping toward her and making her flinch.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Riley said softly.

“f**k you,” Anthonio replied before walking away. As he did, he bumped into someone.

“Are you also blind—” Anthonio stopped mid-sentence when he saw Lucas standing in front of him with an emotionless expression. Lucas was holding a gun.

“Oh my goodness, boss. I didn’t know it was you,” Anthonio said quickly, bowing his head.

Lucas ignored him. He looked at Riley for a moment, then back at Anthonio, whose head was still lowered.

“Apologize,” Lucas said coldly.

“I’m sorry, boss,” Anthonio repeated.

Lucas shot Anthonio in the arm. Anthonio cried out in pain. Riley’s eyes widened, and she turned away immediately, breathing heavily.

Lucas grinned as he bent down to Anthonio’s level. He grabbed him as Anthonio tried to hold his bleeding arm. Lucas pressed his hand against the wound, making Anthonio groan in pain.

“Not to me, silly. To my wild cat,” Lucas said as he pulled Anthonio up, making him shiver.

“Baby, turn around,” Lucas said. Riley knew he was talking to her, but she prayed he wasn’t.

She tried to ignore him and continued her training.

“I don’t like being ignored, baby,” Lucas said again, causing Riley to slowly turn and look at them.

“Now apologize.” Lucas tapped Anthonio and shoved him to his knees in front of Riley. Riley stepped back when he hit the floor.

Armani was watching from behind when Theo entered the gym.

“What’s going on here?” Theo asked Armani as he walked toward the boxing gloves.

“Looks like Anthonio messed with Lucas’ little baby,” Armani scoffed.

Theo looked in their direction and rolled his eyes.

“Let’s box,” Theo said to Armani. Armani nodded, and the two of them stepped into the ring.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. Please forgive me,” Anthonio said.

Riley’s eyes went to his bleeding hand. Her body started trembling as memories of her parents flooded her mind.

“I need to get out of here,” Riley said before running off, leaving Lucas confused.

Theo and Armani had just finished sparring and shook hands.

“Good. I see you’ve learned some new moves,” Armani said, complimenting Theo.

Armani turned around, and Riley crashed into him. He fell, pulling her down with him, and Riley landed on top of Armani.

Gasps filled the gym.

“Oh s**t,” Lucas muttered as he rushed toward them.

Anthonio used the moment to go see the house doctor.

Lucas quickly pulled Riley off Armani. “Are you okay?” he asked. Riley nodded slowly.

“I’m not okay,” Armani said coldly. Everyone turned to look at him.

Riley swallowed as she saw Armani staring at her. “I’m sorry,” she said, reaching out to help him up. She held out her hand, and Armani took it as she pulled him to his feet.

Lucas and Theo exchanged confused looks at what they were seeing.

“Why were you running?” Armani asked calmly.

“I was overwhelmed,” Riley explained.

Armani nodded. “Be careful next time, okay?”

Riley nodded again.

“What the f**k is going on here?” Lucas said, looking between them.

“What do you mean?” Armani asked.

“You’re acting like chilled buddies,” Theo cut in.

“Exactly,” Lucas agreed. “What are you not telling us?”

Lucas stared at Riley, who looked away nervously.

Armani scoffed and walked off, leaving Riley watching him.

“Come on, babe,” Lucas said. “Tell me why Armani is being cool with you.”

“I have no idea why,” Riley said. She truly didn’t know why Armani was being nice to her. Deep down, she knew it might be because they had slept together, but she could never let that information come out.

Later, Riley was in her room, pacing back and forth, when there was a knock on the door. She opened it and saw Quinn and Skylar standing there.

“Hey, girls,” Riley said.

“Whoa, I’ve always wanted to see what your bedroom looks like,” Skylar said as she walked in, looking around the room.

“This place is so big and beautiful. You’re so lucky,” Skylar added, her eyes taking in everything.

Riley was a bit confused by her excitement.

“Well, we all share rooms,” Quinn said, answering Riley’s unspoken thoughts. “Except you and Serial. You’re the only ones with separate rooms.”

“Well, it’s normal to share rooms,” Riley said. “I mean, there are a lot of people here.”

Skylar dropped onto the bed with a sigh. “Can we spend the night here?” Quinn asked, walking toward her.

“Of course we can,” Skylar said. “I mean, the owner of the room probably won’t mind.”

Riley stared at both of them in surprise.

“You wouldn’t mind, right?” they asked together, making cute faces.

Riley laughed. “Aww, you’re both so cute,” she said as she walked toward the bed.

“I guess we’re having a girls’ sleepover,” Skylar announced, cheering.

They all laughed and cheered together.

Meanwhile, Serial was standing outside the door, eavesdropping, when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned and saw Ava.

“Eavesdropping on the newbie is a bit shallow, even for you,” Ava said before walking away, not giving Serial a chance to reply.

“b***h,” Serial muttered before looking at Riley’s door and then walking off.

“If only Master Lucas knew his new wild cat is the one the triplets have been looking for,” a voice said.