The women lined up in two rows, opposite each other.
She motioned one forward.
“Tonight, we’re going to work on how to break away if someone grabs you from behind.” She studied the eager faces. “Believe it or not, you can escape—no matter how large your attacker might be.”
It took her a few minutes to show the moves and a few more to convince the students it would work, their suspicious gazes switching into unabashed glee.
The door at the other end of the room opened, and she smiled, recognizing Erik.
“Right. Grab yourself a partner and start practicing those break-away moves. I’ll be right back.”
She strode across the floor, forcing herself not to run to him.
It’d only been two hours since Brenna had last seen her husband and yet it felt like years. He wore a light gray T-shirt, the sleeves torn off, and a well-worn set of matching sweat pants she longed to tear him out of.
He smiled, opened his arms, and the emotional dam broke.
Brenna charged at him, leaping into his embrace.
The hungry kiss lasted longer than she would have liked, and she knew more than one of her students was neglecting her instructions and watching.
Watch and be envious.
Erik pulled free first with a sharp laugh. “I’ll have to leave you alone more often.”
Brenna returned the grin. “How’s your class going? A lot of would-be cage fighters discovering there’s more to it than just snarling and screaming?”
He chuckled. “Had a few drop out when they realized they’d be starting with the basics—and little chance of taking me on, not at this level.”
He raised one hand, showing her the clean, unbroken skin. “Yes, I’m wearing gloves when showing moves. I remember my promise—no boxing without them. I’m showing more than telling, anyway.”
“Excellent.” Brenna dropped a kiss on his knuckles. “I want these hands on me, not in a bucket of ice, bruised and sore. Any problem with the administrators when you asked them about expanding our classes?”
“Not since I got the center that boost in funding.” He smirked. “When I mentioned we were at the rally in Washington, they got a whole lot more respectful. Dropped Jake’s name and Susan DeVecchio’s jaw hit the floor. The old man has connections now that he’s turned politician.” He looked past her at the students, busy trying to throw each other down to the padded mats. “Is it my imagination or do you have more tonight?”
“I’m thinking about scheduling a third weekly class to meet the demand.” She crossed her arms. “Good to put my training to some use.” She hesitated, just long enough to show her thoughts to him.
“Kara.”
They hadn’t spoken about her in weeks. It was a sore spot, one only time would heal.
Brenna nodded. “I still can’t believe she became so…dark.” She gave a mournful shake of her head. “She wasn’t the woman I lived with, trained with, worked with for so long.”
Erik pulled her back into a hug. “Any idea what Freyja would do to her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe re-assign her to Helheim, give her the task of taking damned souls there.” She shuddered, her mind racing as she recalled the haunted and sunken faces of the Valkyries in the other barracks. “I hope not.”
“She’ll find her way. As you keep saying, Freyja has her reasons. Along with Odin.” He kissed her again. “Time for both of us to get back to work.”
She nodded as he stepped back. “Kara’ll survive. Like we did.”
“Hell, we did more than that.” Erik laughed as he swept her up in her arms and swung her around. “We won. Because true love always wins in the end.”
She scrunched up her nose. “That sounds like something Freyja would say.”
“Then let’s keep on saying it.” He smiled and glanced at the ceiling. “Thanks, Dad.”
She giggled.
“Now let’s see if we can keep the bloodline going.” His voice dropped to the low, sultry tone guaranteed to send her pulse racing. “See you after class. I’ve got a few new moves I want to try out on you.”
Brenna grinned. “See you then, Son of Odin.”
She watched him walk away, enjoying the sight before turning back to her own class and clapping her hands together.
“Right—keep on practicing.”
One of her students, a blonde, looked over at the retreating Erik. “Where did you find him? And does he have any brothers?”
Before Brenna could answer, Erik stopped and turned around, giving the young woman a wide grin. “I’m the lucky one. She’s an angel who fell out of Heaven and landed at my feet.” He looked up at the ceiling. “As for brothers, well…none that I know of. Yet.”
The young woman laughed and turned back to her partner with a shake of her head.
Erik grinned as he tucked his hands in his pockets and walked through the door.
Brenna thought she heard a mischievous chuckle from overhead.
“Thanks, Mother,” she whispered under her breath.
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Acknowledgments
My thanks to Rachel Brooks and Louise Fury, a pair of wonderful agents who love challenges—and to Liz Pelletier, Candace Havens, Crystal Havens, Riki Cleveland and all the talented and wonderful people at Entangled Publishing! Without all of you, the magic doesn't happen!
And a shout out to my Team B Tribe—you ladies keep me going!
About the Author
Sheryl Nantus is an award-winning romance writer published by Entangled, St. Martin's Press/Swerve, and Harlequin's Carina Press.
When she's not writing about hunky heroes, she is sipping tea, playing board games and writing haiku.
A total fangirl at heart, she met her husband through an online fanfiction community and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
Also by Sheryl Nantus…
Hard Play
Hard Run
Hard Pursuit
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