“What does that mean exactly?” I ask because I know there are always strings. Everything in this town has more strings attached than Sam’s had nose jobs.
I really should stop that. There’s nothing wrong with plastic surgery, she’s just a bitch, and I know it’s the only other sore spot she has besides the guys. Well, besides Rowan. Because, let’s be honest, she only has eyes for him.
He sighs. “It means I’ll have far more responsibilities for what takes place in this town. It also means that at the Christmas dinner, we’ll announce the return of the Bradfords to the Fraternitas, which by default will announce your lineage.”
I groan. I liked it better when people thought I was a nobody. Now I’m sure it will mean all the ‘I always liked you’ people will be coming out of the woodwork. “Do we have to announce it? Can’t you just slide in through the back door?” I know it’s not possible before I even ask, but I can dream.
Dad laughs, and I want to throw my pillow at his face. This is serious stuff. My peopling levels can’t handle anyone’s fakeness.
“Simply put, no. It’s going to be important that the town knows for a few reasons, one of them being greater protections for Ky, Kellan, Jamie, and you,” he explains. I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.
“What are the other reasons?” I probe. The look on his face tells me he’s about to give me the same annoying line I’ve gotten since coming to this town.
“I can’t tell you that,” we both say simultaneously.
He rubs at the bridge of his nose. “I know you’re tired of hearing it. I’m tired of saying it. Nonetheless, it holds true. I won’t ever put you in danger, not because I gave you information you wanted but didn’t absolutely need to know.”
“Okay, fine,” I huff out and climb out of my bed. Once again accepting his rationale, at least for now, but I can feel my patience wearing thin on being in the dark.
He stands and walks over to me, then uses his good arm to squeeze me in a hug. “I love you, Ry. I know it frustrates you. Just be patient with me a little longer,” he murmurs into my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I hug him back, careful not to hurt him. I’m still annoyed with the situation, but I’m happy to have him home.
Before I can pull back, his arm scoops under my armpit, and I’m being flipped into the air. A loud screech flies out of my mouth as I hit the mattress with a thud.
“Dad!”
“You haven’t been training. I shouldn’t have been able to toss you with only one good arm,” he chastises. “You’re back in the gym starting tomorrow. I’ll bring Mikhael here to continue your lessons until I’m well enough.”
My eyes widen in surprise, “Wait, my gym teacher?”
He smiles, “You didn’t think we’d have you at the school without someone to continue your training? I might still not be on board with you being part of all of this, but things were put in place to ensure you’d be prepared once you got here.”
I shake my head. I should’ve thought it was odd that Krav Maga was being offered. Instead, I just thought it was rich people and their shit.
“Of course you did,” I retort, pausing to catch my breath “I’ll be ready.”
“That’s my girl,” Dad says, then walks out of my room.
Groaning, I throw myself back onto my bed. I guess I’ll be practicing before the game tomorrow night.
EMMA
“Higher,” Mikhael barks, easily tapping my shoulder.
We’d been at this for almost an hour now.
“Have you been training at all?” he asks, walking around me and checking my stance.
Does he think I was just home sitting on my ass? “I was kinda busy being kidnapped, asshole,” I snap, dropping my hands to my side.
His leg sweeps out, clipping me behind my ankles, and I land on my back.
“Fuck,” I shout.
“You’re not thinking with your head,” he tuts, pointing to his temple. “Never lead with emotion or anger. You know this. Get up and do it again.”
Mikhael walks around my prone form, giving me only seconds to ready myself before he’s on the attack again.
His foot lifts, slamming it down. “Your attacker won’t wait for you to get your bearings.”
I roll out from under the pending stomp of his boot into a backward shoulder roll and pivot, rearing my fist back for a kidney shot. Mikhael grunts but aims his elbow out, preparing to hit my nose. I duck, avoiding the shot, and uppercut his chin. He sails back and kips-up as I move in on offense.
“Better,” he says, wiping the blood from his chin.
My fists are up as I reposition my fighting stance. “I might have been out of commission, but I didn’t suddenly forget everyth-.” My words are cut off when an arm hooks around my throat and locks in.
“Always check your surroundings and never expect your opponent to fight f-,” an unknown gruff voice starts to whisper in my ear, but I’m already stepping back with my left foot and tucking my chin toward my chest as I slightly twist my head and body to the right, setting my feet. Then my hands quickly snap up to my shoulders to build momentum before I bring my right hand down, swinging my open palm directly into his groin. The mystery man grunts, leaning forward with me as I bend, allowing me enough leverage to bring my right elbow up and slam it into his throat. The stranger lets out a sharp groan as his hands fall from my throat as I pivot my right foot back into my fighting stance.
“Excellent,” I hear my father say, but I don’t dare look. I just continue to bounce on the balls of my feet.
I watch as Mikhael gives the signal that the round is over. I don’t lower my guard until I’m at the edge of the mat by my towel and water bottle. I only drop my hands to my sides when I know we’re really taking a break. As I drink my water, I take in the man still holding his throat and dick on the ground.
“Damn,” the unknown man exclaims between pained gasps, “that’s quite the swing you got there.”
I can’t tell how tall he is in his bent state, but his tousled inky black hair hangs in his russet eyes as he aims his gaze at me.
Turning to my Dad, I ask, “Who’s this?” My tone has an edge to it. I don’t like the idea of someone I don’t know sneaking up on me. However, I’m happy it didn’t trip me up. After the Selection party, the idea of anyone sneaking up behind me like that makes me edgy.
Dad shakes his head, then responds, “This is Reign. Mikhael’s younger brother.”
I turn, looking at Reign, then at Mikhael, finally making the connection. They both have the same color eyes and facial features. As Reign gets to his feet, I see he’s over six feet tall.
“Reign’s a senior and will be transferring to LWU for the spring semester,” Mikhael informs me. “He’s going to be one of your sparring partners. After what happened at the party, we need to work on you being surprise attacked more.”
I nod, understanding the importance of the sneak attack immediately. Hopefully, none of these sessions will trigger a panic attack or a flashback. “Okay, are we going again?” I inquire, knowing that I’ll need to wrap this up soon if I want to have enough time to get ready for the guys’ game.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.