by Shauna Allen
She didn’t look enthused. “That sounds a little bit out of my league.”
“I’ll teach you.”
She glanced around. “You’ll go easy on me?”
“Of course. Come here.”
I positioned her in front of me and demonstrated both neutral and fighting stances. She mimicked me, her feet spread, arms up, chin tucked.
I gripped her hips and readjusted so she faced me head on. “Boxers stand more to the side like that to pack more power in their punches. You want to be straight on in a self-defense posture so you have full use of your entire body.”
She nodded and we moved on to a couple of basic kicks and punches, which she mastered pretty fast. I checked the clock, we had about ten more minutes until class started.
“Let’s work on some defense.”
“Okay.” She didn’t flinch. She was into it now and was soaking it up like a sponge.
We worked on getting out of standing holds and deflecting hits. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my other students begin to trickle in, but I wanted to cover one more thing.
“Lay down.”
She paused, frowned. “What?”
“On the mat.”
She hesitated, but eventually lay down, her open stare trusting. It melted my heart. I didn’t want to scare her, but I needed her to be able to protect herself if she should ever be threatened again.
I sensed everyone in the gym watching, but I focused on her. “Trust me?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and knelt to straddle her hips. Her eyes flared with fear as I mimed gripping her throat in a chokehold.
Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t . . .”
I released her neck and sat back. “Yes, you can. I won’t hurt you.”
She blinked rapidly, but made no move to get up. She peeked over at the other women, then faced me again, her eyes shining with determination. “Show me.”
I leaned over her again, but didn’t grab her throat. I looked her square in the eyes. “I will not hurt you.”
“I know.”
“I love you.”
We watched each other several long moments then she reached for my hands and brought them to her neck. “I love you, too.”
My heart surged. This probably seemed like the strangest declaration of love to anyone but us, but I got it. She was proving her love by trusting me implicitly. I would not let her down.
Refocusing, I let my fingertips glide along the skin of her throat. “Okay. If you’re ever pinned down in a chokehold, the first thing you’ll do is keep your cool and your focus.”
She nodded.
“Next, I want you to reach up with both hands and go for my thumbs. Pull them and try to break the hold or at least get my arms bent. That weakens my center of gravity.”
She reached up and found my hands, yanking my thumbs and pulling down my wrists.
“Good. Now, at the same time, I want you to bend your knees and thrust with your hips to throw me off. As soon as I’m down, you scramble over me and punch the shit out of me like I showed you. Go for my groin, my nose, my eyes. Go in fast then get off and run.” I leaned in and brushed a quick kiss to her lips. “Can you do that?”
“I think so.”
“Then do it.” I grabbed her neck again, this time a fraction tighter.
She immediately sprang into action, yanking my thumbs and wrists, then shoved me off with a throw of her hips. She rolled until our positions were reversed, naturally finding a crouch with the strength of her legs. She leapt up and grazed me with her foot in a gentle strike to the crotch then backed up a step to stand over me, panting. The fierceness in her eyes made me proud.
Slowly, applause began behind us and I watched her face change from warrior to shy girl as she returned to the moment.
I took her proffered hand and stood. “That was perfect, baby.”
“You gonna straddle all of us tonight, teach?” Mildred’s voice rang out above the cheers.
“Not a chance,” Jewel piped up, her face flushed with exertion.
Everyone laughed, including me. We’d crossed a bridge tonight in our relationship and I hadn’t felt this light in years. Hope soared through me as I caught a glimpse of the old Micah.
Class went well and I felt a new lightness in Jewel, too. She smiled freely and laughed often, even teasing Mildred that she’d fight her for me. The knowing looks from the other women didn’t embarrass me for once. I was proud of her. Of us. For the first time I could remember since I’d enlisted, I was excited about my future.
There was just one tiny thing that still niggled me. I eyed her as she sipped her water at dinner after class. “That Vega guy ask you out anymore?”
Green eyes sparked across the table. “You mean Officer Varga?”
“Yeah, whatever.”
She tilted her head. “No. I think he’s seeing someone now.”
“Good.”
“Whose hair clip is that in your bathroom?”
“What?”
She squinted her eyes at me. “There’s a woman’s hair clip in your medicine cabinet. I’ve been dying to know whose it is.”
“When were you snooping in my medicine cabinet?”
“I wasn’t snooping, thank you very much. I saw it the first night I spent at your place. The night of Star Wars.” Her blush told on her. She was totally snooping.
I smirked. “Jealous?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“Do I need to be jealous?”
“Of course not.” I reached for her hand, but she pulled away. My grin grew. “Fine. My mom left it when she visited a few months ago.”
“Oh.” Her blush grew. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I guess I’d flip my shit if I found some dude’s stuff at your place, too.”
She harrumphed. “I did not flip my shit. I asked.”
“Okay.”
We were served our dinner and we let that particular topic go, though her jealousy was pretty cute.
Later, she grinned at me over her chicken wrap.
“What?”
She glanced down at the burger in my hand. “I think you’re coming over to the dark side.”
I smirked at the Darth Vader reference. “It’s a turkey burger.”
“With cheese and mayo.”
I shrugged unrepentantly and took a big bite.
She laughed, her green eyes sparkling like emeralds. “Next thing you know, it’ll be cake and ice cream.”
I shook my head and dug in. A shadow crossed my peripheral vision and I caught sight of Jewel’s face before I caught sight of who was next to us. I watched her close in on herself, self-doubt painted all over her features. I glanced over and my frown was automatic.
“Hey, Stephanie.”
She angled her body so I’d be sure and notice the tight fit of her workout gear as she fluttered her baby blues, blatantly flirting. Blatantly ignoring the woman sitting with me. “Hi, Micah. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She opened her mouth to say something, but I interrupted. “Stephanie, do you remember my girlfriend, Jewel?” I reached across the table and grabbed her hand with a soft smile.
Stephanie stuttered, but quickly regained her composure. “Guess I forgot.” She aimed a painted on smile in Jewel’s direction. “Hey.”
Jewel nodded, but didn’t say a word as she subtly tried to yank her hand away. I held tighter.
“Well,” I said, “it was nice seeing you, but we’ve got to get back home. Our dog needs to be let out.”
Stephanie blinked at me, stunned. “Uh . . . okay. See you at the gym.” She spun away and marched out of the restaurant.
I turned back to Jewel. She looked as shocked as Stephanie. “Our dog?”
“A tiny white lie.” I sipped my drink.
“You made it sound like we live together.”
“We do. Technically.”
“Technically . . . right. Why?”
“Why what?”
/>
“Why did you go out of your way to shove me in her face?”
I studied her expression, trying to decipher if she was mad or hurt or simply confused. “We went out on a couple dates and she’s tried to lay claim to me ever since. I’m not hers to claim and she needed to know it.”
“So you used me to run off an old girlfriend?”
“No.”
She didn’t seem convinced.
“First, she’s not an old girlfriend. We dated, that’s it. Second, I didn’t use you for anything. I let her know the truth in no uncertain terms. We’re together and she needs to respect that. If you don’t like that I lied about the dog, I’m sorry. I’ll buy you one as soon as everything’s settled and we can go home.”
“You’ll buy me a dog?”
“If you want.”
She shook her head and picked up her wrap, studying it before taking a bite. “I’m not sure if this is totally romantic or totally crazy.”
“Let’s go with romantic.”
“All right, Prince Charming. We’ll go with that.”
Back at the hotel, I showed her just how romantic I could be by running her a bubble bath then rubbing her feet. I even let her pick the TV show we watched.
“Are you getting sick of staying in a hotel yet?” she asked, her fingers idly running through my hair as I lay on her lap.
I glanced up. “Other than no real kitchen, not really. I like having you here all to myself.”
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry about all of this.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault.”
“Still . . .”
“Still nothing.” I scrambled to sit up and face her, our knees touching. “We’re doing what we have to so you’re safe. That’s it. It’s not forever.”
She leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder. “I know. It just sucks.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “It does.”
She pressed a kiss to my chest then sat back up. “How about I cook us something for dinner tomorrow night? Try to make it feel like home?”
I studied our poor excuse for a kitchenette. “Cook?”
“You’d be amazed what I can do with a microwave.”
She seemed so hopeful, I relented, though the idea of frozen meals didn’t do much for me. If she needed to feel normal, this was a small price to pay. “Okay.” I kissed her. “Let’s see what you can do.”
Jewel
I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. I was a decent cook, but nothing spectacular. How was I supposed to put together a good meal, worthy of Micah’s impressive eating habits, using only a microwave? I wanted to do something nice for him to show my appreciation for all he’d done for me, but somehow the Lean Cuisines and bagged salad I had in my basket didn’t seem appropriate.
I glanced up and toward the front doors of the grocery store, nervous how he’d react when he found out I’d left the hotel by myself. But surely he knew I’d need to buy supplies for dinner.
A woman strolled past with her cart full of groceries and a crying baby. I was safe in broad daylight, surrounded by people. Even Micah had to know that. He was just overprotective. Not that I didn’t appreciate it.
Turning back to my mission, I frowned at the turkey dinners and pot pies. He deserved better than this.
A sudden memory of our pasta night came to me, along with a brilliant idea. I pulled out my phone and dialed Delilah.
“Hello?”
“Hey, cuz.”
“Hey! How are you?”
“I’m good. Listen, I need to ask a favor . . .”
By the time I hung up, I had plans for a healthy pasta dish that I could cook at her place then bring back to the hotel. I even threw in some fresh strawberries to sugar for dessert.
I paid for my groceries and strolled out into the sunshine toward my truck, a silly smile on my face. I wondered if Micah would throw a nutty if I drove by and brought him lunch at work like a normal girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
I liked the sound of that.
I loaded my bags into the truck bed and opened the driver’s door, my phone in hand to text him and find out.
“Hello, Jewel.”
Icy pins and needles pricked my spine in spite of the heat of the day. I froze, my heart galloping behind my ribs as tears threatened.
In a million years, I’d never forget that voice. Or the hate that filled it.
Slowly, I spun and looked him in the eye. His beard was shaggy and long, his hair held the fading remnants of red dye, the blood red swastika tattoo on his neck that he’d gotten since I saw him last was a stark contrast to his white T-shirt. His dark eyes held the same evil glint they’d held the night I ran, only harder, more sinister now.
“What are you doing here, Nolan? You know you can get arrested for being within fifty feet of me.” I didn’t bother asking how he knew where to find me. His stalking had obviously taken a dangerous turn.
“Did you get my roses?” he asked, avoiding my question and inching closer.
I stepped back and my hips hit the bench seat of my truck. I flicked a quick glance around, searching for help. The lot was full of cars, but no people. The sunlight was blinding and sweat was beading up on my body.
A knife appeared between us, concealed between the door of the truck and his body. “I asked you a fucking question.”
A hard knot formed in my chest, crowding my throat. This was it. He was going to kill me. “Yes. I did.” I spoke with a force borne of desperation, hoping he wouldn’t call my bluff.
Suddenly, the knife blade was between my breasts in an impatient shove. “In the fucking truck. Now.”
I felt a trickle of blood roll down my chest as panic raced through me. I could not think. I knew I shouldn’t get into the truck with him, but I saw no way out. He was blocking any escape with his body and there was nobody around to hear me. No cars were even driving by on the street.
I crawled into the truck and made a beeline for the passenger door, but he jerked me back by the ankle, yanking my arms behind my back and tying them with rough rope that cut into my flesh. I tried to kick at him, but he diverted.
I screamed.
Something solid hit me in the back of the skull and I was suddenly fuzzy, fighting the darkness that shrouded my vision.
Then it was all black.
I woke up face-down on the floor. I tried to pick up my head, but a roaring pain held me still. I took a quick mental stock of my body. I was sore, but intact. Unviolated. I wilted in relief then forced my eyes open and glanced around. I was in the living room of my apartment and all the curtains were drawn. My hands and feet were unbound, but I couldn’t seem to move. I fought through the nausea and pain and tried to crawl. I made it about three inches when a banging stopped me.
Someone was in my kitchen.
Nolan.
A renewed sense of urgency gave me strength and I surged to my feet. I wobbled a little, but managed two steps toward the front door.
Before I could go any further, hard arms banded around me, yanking me backward. I smelled alcohol and cigarettes and body odor as he pushed me back to the ground with a violent shove.
“Did I say you could go anywhere, bitch? I’m not done with you yet.” A hard smack across my face snapped my head back and I tasted blood.
I heard the pleas for my life slipping through my lips, almost as if I’d entered a hypnotic state in my panic. I begged him to not kill me, to take what he wanted, anything . . . I just couldn’t leave Micah.
I froze, realizing what I’d said.
“Is that the motherfucker you’ve been sleeping with?” He knelt above me, pinned my wrists above my head, and began yanking at my pants. “I knew you were nothing but a fat little fucking slut.”
Air hit my legs as the fabric gave way. Something deeper than mere fear began to claw its way up my throat. He was going to rape me. Just like the other girls. The ones he used in my place.
I screamed and wiggled, trying to g
et free, earning myself another smack. I felt my eye immediately begin to swell.
Rough hands shoved past my panties as he bit my neck. “I can’t wait to take this back.”
The fight began to ebb out of my body as a calm acceptance replaced it. I was prepared to die, my only consolation that I’d known real love and that Micah was safe.
I closed my eyes as tears leaked down my cheeks.
“Look at me when I take you, bitch.” Hands squeezed my neck, forcing my eyes open.
A searing pain ripped up my throat as my air was cut off. My body began an automatic fight for breath and I grabbed blindly at his hands.
Suddenly, as if a miracle, I could see Micah over his shoulder, fuzzy and faint. His dark eyes were intent as he silently communicated with me. I blinked and focused. Nothing. He wasn’t really there, but I felt his presence, his love, as surely as if he was. And I knew what I had to do.
I willed my body to calm. Then I reached for Nolan’s thumbs and yanked, bending his arms, just like Micah had taught me. That released his hold on my throat enough for me to get a breath of sweet air. Rage filled his eyes, but it didn’t faze me. In one swift movement, I bent my knees and threw him off with a twist of my hips.
An oomph of surprise rushed past his lips as I scrambled to my feet. Adrenalin spiked through me as I realized I’d done it. I’d overpowered him.
“You fucking bi—”
I cut him off with a swift kick to his nose. Blood spurted bright red on his white shirt and he squealed like an animal. I didn’t relent. I aimed for his groin and used all the power of my body to attack. I boxed the side of his head with my foot for good measure then made a mad dash for the door.
I fumbled with the locks and threw it open without looking to see if he’d followed me. I began screaming for help the minute I hit the breezeway.
I made it to the end of the sidewalk before doors began opening, including my neighbor from three doors down, Mike, who happened to be a firefighter. He took one look at my face and started my way. I pointed blindly at my wide-open door as I knelt over, my hands on my knees.
Nolan appeared in the doorway at the same time Mike passed me.
I opened my mouth to yell a warning, but Mike was on the ball. He spun toward Nolan and was on him before I could take a breath. Mike was a beast of a man so their struggle was short. He had Nolan pinned to the ground in a matter of seconds.