Kirk’s fingers fly over his phone. “Somewhere in the woods.”
“We have to go,” Fell says.
“It could be a trap.” Cadoc frowns.
“Maybe, but it’s all we have,” Kirk says.
“If we go, we do it smart.” Cadoc strokes the stubble on his chin
“What does that mean?” I peer at the grim faces
“We go in armed and cautious. No rushing head first into danger, Brat.” He pins me with his intense gaze.
“I don’t do that—”
“You need to understand how important you are,” Bo adds.
“No more being careless.” Fell’s eyes darken with frustration and a hint of fear.
Cadoc stares me down. “If we tell you to run, you do it.”
“I have never been a coward, and I’m not about to start now.”
“You’re not equipped to deal with the things we might encounter.” Cadoc gentle condescending voice, makes the situation feel dire.
“Teach me then.” I won’t cower.
His eyebrows lift. “It’s hard work—.”
“I’ve never been afraid of that.” I square my shoulders, holding his gaze.
“You’d have to curb that mouth to hear me during training.”
“Done.”
His lips twitch. I’m not backing down.
“We’ll start tomorrow. Tonight, you show me how well you can follow orders. Consider this your first lesson.”
I press my mouth shut. I walked right into the trap and he sprang it like a pro.
“Fine.”
“Let’s get suited up.” He narrows his gaze. “It’ll show you what you’re in for.”
He takes me to the training room. Shock steals my voice as I view the mats, body bags, and rows of weapons hanging against the wall. “This is a serious set up.”
“We’ve been busy setting up a training space since we moved in.”
I hear the pride in Cadoc’s voice.
We walk across the space, and I wonder what the hell I signed myself up for.
My body already aches in anticipation of the beating I’m about to take. This is nothing like my morning yoga classes and runs with my roommate.
“It’s not too late to change your mind.” Cadoc studies me.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Stubborn, Brat.” Cadoc laughs. The humor leaves his eyes. “Can you use a weapon?”
“I can shoot a gun, and I’m handy with a knife. A girl alone in the world has to protect herself.”
“Demonstrate.”
“Now?”
“Yeah.” He opens a drawer, revealing a custom display case. Knives of various, lengths, metals, and thicknesses range from Bowie knives to switch blades and tactical ones.
I pick the backward s blade folding knife with the spider edge blade.
It’s similar to the blade I always carried in college. I made sure I was ready to fend off attacks on my own if they happened. The assault numbers are sickening for young women in college.
I spent plenty of Saturday mornings in self-defense classes. I never used my full strength, but it kept me limber and taught me moves I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Cadoc moves to the center of the room and waves me toward him. I keep a few feet between us, sizing him up.
Cadoc darts forward, grabbing a hunk of my hair. I move into his hold, ball my hand into a fist, and swing down toward his groin.
