The shades of red Rowan’s father turns in the span of ten seconds has to be a world record. Mr. Calloway works his jaw, the muscles flexing before he responds. “All the more reason to stop going off half-cocked. Calloway-the Fraternitas are under immense scrutiny. Any more fuck ups, as you’ve so nicely mentioned, and this entire town, Emma included, will be eliminated.”
“What the fuck do you mean, Emma included?” I snap.
“I’m glad we finally have your attention,” Mr. Calloway hisses before continuing. “The Novus Ordo Seclorum is unforgiving and unyielding. They rule with an iron fist and will wipe out anything and anyone that presents as a problem. They are the big bad in the world. Nothing happens without their approval.”
I stew on his words, remembering the warning levied when they visited.
Did we just make things worse?
“I see you’re registering the severity of the situation,” my father chimes. “You all need to tread carefully moving forward.”
“We need to get this back in order now. We can’t afford another visit before the Tribunal. Do you all understand what I’m saying?” Mr. Calloway snarls.
One by one, we each agree.
“Good. Now, tell us what you learned from your meeting with Blair,” Rowan’s father commands.
EMMA
“Again,” Reign commands, and I strike the bag in rapid succession. Chop to the throat, elbow to the stomach, and fist to the groin.
We are in the final circuit of today’s training session, and I want to throat-chop Reign for making me do this at all. I’m hot and feel extra swollen today. My back hurts, and one of the babies has decided they should tap dance on my spine.
“I know where you sleep at night,” I warn, and he chuckles. “Sleep with one eye open.”
Reign’s laughter grows. “Come on, Ry, we’re almost done. If you were back in Colorado with your other trainer, you wouldn’t make a peep. Now, combos.”
Groaning, I shake out my legs, straighten my posture, and get into the neutral position, facing the punching bag. At Reign’s command, I shift into a fighting position. My wrapped hands are up, protecting my face as I slightly bend my knees, evenly dispersing my weight on the balls of my feet. I quickly move through my first and second sets. . . right hook, left hook, and front kick.
I’m drinking water during my rest period when Elias walks in. “We should test your training against a person. A bag doesn’t hit back, and there may come a time when you’ll have to defend yourself. An assailant won’t care that you’re pregnant. In fact, that will probably make them bolder.”
“Are you stepping in the ring then?” I challenge, pulling my curved daggers from their sheaths.
“Not if I actually want to keep my head,” he quips and glances over his shoulder as Thomas walks in.
Thomas’s massive frame eats up the doorway. “Means you’re smarter than you look, Prescott,” he quips.
I watch as he clears the threshold and enters the gym. I smile as he approaches. I’m so grateful to have him. I missed him, not because he’s back to protect me, but because he’s family. “It’s been too long, T,” I complain, sheathing my knives before hugging him.
A warm smile appears on his golden, tanned face. “I wasn’t gone that long, Emma, and I’ve been back.”
Pulling from his embrace, I poke his muscular chest, and there must be a steel plate underneath because my finger hurts more than my poke. “You know what I mean, T.”
Thomas nods. “I missed you too, Emma. I’m glad to be back. I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Me too,” I add before turning to grab my water. My head starts to spin as I approach the bench. Spots dance before me. My eyes blur in and out of focus. I make it another two steps. My legs turn to jelly, and I stumble, reaching out and praying I catch the wall, but the distance is still too great. The room begins swirling around me.
I’m going to faint.
“Emma!”
I hear someone shout, but I’m underwater. I lose my balance, pitching forward. . . my babies.
Mustering my last bit of strength, I twist my body and prepare to fall.
But as my legs give way, strong arms catch me before I hit the floor.
My name on someone’s lips is the last thing I hear.
“She will need to keep her stress to a minimum and scale back on her training for the remainder of her pregnancy. Her body is working to nourish two babies. I need you all to take that into account.”
“But, she’s okay?”
I slowly come to, blinking into focus the people in the room. Familiar voices key me in on who’s here.
“What else can we do to help, Dr. Jaffri?”
That’s Dad, and obviously, he’s speaking to my doctor. Thomas is at the foot of my bed, and Reign is hovering to my left.
“Make sure she stays hydrated, eating nutritional meals, and as I said before, reduce her stress,” Dr. Jaffri explains.
I didn’t think I was overdoing it. However, asking me to reduce my stress under current conditions is like asking Samantha not to be cunt. It’s a math equation that no one can compute.
“Ry.” I slowly turn at the sound of my grandfather’s voice. “Hey there, Sweetheart. How are you feeling?” he asks, and everyone’s attention zeros in on me.
Dad rushes to my side. “Ry! You scared ten years off my life.”
I snort, “Way to be dramatic, Dad.”
Dr. Jaffri comes over and shoos everyone away. “I need to do another check of her vitals and speak to my patient. Out with all of you.”
“I’m not leaving,” Dad declares as everyone else files out.
Thomas winks before closing the door, and I return my attention to the mini showdown.
Dr. Jaffri’s eyes narrow. “You will if that’s what she wants.”
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.