Page 62 of Tempting Devil

After riding a few more waves into shore, I needed to get ready for work, especially since the sky was now more day than night.

I peeled out of my wetsuit and tugged on a pair of shorts before trudging back up the sand with my board.

Despite my longer than normal surfing session this morning, Gideon still sat at his usual table. And like before, his only acknowledgment of my presence was a small nod of his head, which I returned.

He told me the ball was in my court. He obviously meant it.

I started past him, but paused, facing him once more. I opened and closed my mouth several times, struggling to find the words I needed. There was so much I wanted to tell him. So much he deserved to hear.

But instead of getting inundated with all of that, I stuck with what I felt was the most important.

“I believe you.”

My words echoed in the peaceful air, wrapping around both of us in a protective cocoon. The weight he’d been carrying physically evaporated as he basked in my statement.

He lifted his gaze toward mine, striking blue to dark brown. Then his deep voice cut through the still morning air. “Thank you.”

He didn’t say anything else. Didn’t make any move toward me. Didn’t take my belief in him to mean anything more than it was.

Because I wasn’t sure if it could mean anything more.

Not when I knew he was on what could very well turn into a suicide mission.

I’d already lost Samuel once.

I wouldn’t survive losing him again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gideon

“Harder,” I demanded as I tensed my muscles, bracing for Henry’s assault. I held my breath, waiting for his fist to connect with my stomach.

With a grunt, he delivered another harsh blow, sending waves of agony through me. But I refused to give in, even as nausea threatened to overtake me.

“Again,” I gritted out, my voice strained but determined.

“Gideon, man, I don’t?—”

“Again, Henry.”

He pushed out a sigh and shook his head, concern etched on his face. But being the good friend he was, he gave me what I needed, thrusting his mitt-covered hand into my stomach once more, this time with even more force.

I stumbled back, fighting to stay upright as another shock of pain spiraled through me. Henry reached out to steady me, but I pushed him away.

There would be no one to help me to my feet when it mattered. I couldn’t have him act like a crutch now. I needed to do this. Needed to build up my strength. Needed to push myself to my limits. Past my limits.

“Again,” I ordered hoarsely, my throat raw from the exertion. I widened my stance and braced for his attack yet again.

Despite his obvious reluctance, he followed through with another powerful punch.

But this time, I could no longer hold it in. I doubled over, emptying the contents of my stomach into the bucket I kept nearby.

“Okay. We’re done now,” Henry declared, yanking on the tape securing his boxing gloves to his hands with his teeth before removing them.

“Yeah.” I collapsed onto the mat, heaving through the pain. “We’re done.”

“You’re a goddamn sadist.” He handed me a water bottle and helped me into a sitting position, propping my back against the wall before lowering himself beside me.