The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

“You wouldn’t touch her,” Galverson replied sounding close to the edge of losing his temper. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You underestimated me last time too,” Tray said smoothly.

“You, little piece of—no. I know what you’re doing. It’s that authority thing again, isn’t it? Your father was dead-on. You’re ‘reacting.’ He said you do that a lot.” He actually laughed. “You’re a keeper, that’s for sure. But seriously, think about my proposition. I could make you a very wealthy man.”

“You already did,” Tray said, sounding bored. I knew he was anything but.

“That’s true, isn’t it. Alright, think about my proposal and get back to me. No time limit.” I heard the door open. “And Tray, if you ever think of touching my daughter, I will not hesitate to send my men after your brother.”

“I haven’t spoken to my family for four years. I could care less what you do to them.” Then Tray slammed the door and locked it.

I crawled into bed. And huddled there, my hands trembling. I looked up and met Tray’s eyes when he entered the room.

He shut the door and leaned against it. Then slid down, his hands in his hair.

“Fuck,” he bit out.

Fuck.

“Tray—” I started, my voice shaking.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he cut me off roughly. He stayed in place, on the floor, cradling his head.

“Tray—” I started again. I slipped off the bed and knelt before him. I pulled his hands away and dropped them in shock. His eyes were dilated, a shocking color stood in their normal hazel color.

“What are you…are you on something?”

“No,” he pushed me away, “just stay away. I told you I don’t want to talk about it.” He got up and left, darting out of the house. I heard the patio door slam shut behind him. I moved to a bedroom with windows that overlooked the pool area. Looking through them, I saw the door to the storage building slam shut.

I stayed by the window, just breathing in and out, trying to calm my nerves. But Tray didn’t come out.

I waited and no Tray.

After ten minutes, I let out a breath and moved away from the

window.

I went downstairs and went to the pool house. When I got onto the patio, I stopped in shock. I could hear pounding sounds coming from the storage shed he ran into.

I wanted to go see, but instead I moved into the pool house. I showered and changed into some new clothes. I pulled my cell charger out of my bag and plugged it in. Then I remembered Tray’s phone. I went back into the house, still hearing the sounds, and found his cell in the bedroom. After I plugged it into its charger in the pool house, I stood uncertainly in the doorway.

He was still in the storage shed.

I finally gave into temptation and moved to the door. There weren’t any windows, so I had to open the door to see inside.

Inside was a punching bag, and Tray had stripped down to his waist. He was beating the shit out of that bag. Every now and then, he’d rear back for a hard uppercut. I caught a glimpse of his knuckles. They were bleeding.

I crossed to him, and readied myself for what I was about to do. When I reached out and grabbed his arms from behind, I held on.

“Stop,” I spoke, gritting my teeth.

“Get off me,” Tray snapped, trying to shrug me off.

I held on.

“Stop it,” I bit out again, starting to get pissed.

“Taryn,” he warned, “I gave you space when you needed it.”