Approaching her from behind, she tenses up as I grab her waist in a firm hold. Struggling to step to the side, allowing access to my groin, she just drops to the ground causing me to lose my balance. Taking her left shoulder, she dips under my left arm and, with all her might, thrusts me forward in a front flip.
The air is completely knocked out of my lungs when I land. As I’m gasping for air, Tova scrambles to me, hovering over me upside down as she assesses me. “Holy crap, are you okay?” she asks, panic in her voice.
Sucking wind, I’m finally able to grunt, “Never better.”
Her eyes are wide with dread. So, I gently pull her down to me, her nose brushing my chin as our lips meet.
Once she relaxes, she pulls back, sitting her bottom on the heels of her feet, and she suggests, “Why don’t we work on the last skill?”
Flipping onto my stomach, I push myself onto my knees, mirroring her posture. “Deal! This last move is to get you out of a headlock should your attacker manage this maneuver. If the aggressor clenches an arm circling your throat, the first thing you need to ensure is that you don’t get choked. Twist into that person’s side as best as you can, bring your chin into their ribs, avoiding being strangled. While in this position, use your free hand and sock his manhood until you can free your head from his grasp entirely.” Rising to a standing position, she mimics me. Locking eyes, I rally, “Ready?”
Wiggling her head up and down, I charge her, taking her into a headlock. She stumbles backward. I squeeze harder, keeping her from backing out of my grip. Not being able to inhale all the way, she panics, clawing at my arm and back.
“Remember, the maneuver I taught you. Don’t panic when you can’t breathe. Focus. I’m not going to smother you. I promise,” I coax, not releasing my hold.
Closing her eyes, she redirects her attention to my ribcage. Jamming her chin into my side, she’s able to loosen my hold slightly. Grabbing the inside of my leg, careful not to do more damage there, she pinches the blood out of my inner thigh. I yell, “Damn it, Tova,” and immediately drop her out of the hold.
Collapsing to the ground on her back, inhaling rapidly, she spouts, “How was that?”
Bending over rubbing my thigh, I compliment, “Woman, you’re a beast. You know that? Thank you for going easy on my manhood, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a nasty bruise on the inside of my leg.”
Panting, she peers up at me and mocks, “Beast mode…” and uses her index finger, motioning a check mark, “on.”
29
Tova
Feeling better after my self-defense lessons, sweating like a pig, I roll over in the dirt, pushing myself to my knees then up to my feet.
I stroll over to Pierce as he’s rubbing his inner thigh. “Sorry babe, I didn’t want to hurt the goods.” Pointing at his groin, I smirk, “Therefore, I went with the next best thing.” Pouting, he rubs his inner thigh in response.
“I’ll kiss it and make it better tonight,” I say with a seductive wink as I saunter toward him.
“I guess I’ll have to get hurt more often. You know…just so you can kiss it and make it better.” Smirking, he sits up and pulls me into a firm embrace, “I love you, Spitfire.”
Perspiration is beading on my brow. Dirt and hay is scattered in my untamed hair while my shirt’s sucked to my body, saturated with sweat.
“I love you too. But I look and smell awful. Let’s shower and get ready for dinner.”
Walking up to the front door of my mom’s house, I intertwine my fingers with Pierce’s. Goodness, it feels so wonderful to finally have some peace of mind knowing how to fight for myself. Crossing the threshold to the kitchen, I beam up at Pierce with hope and promise in my eyes. “I’m so thankful for you, Pierce. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you. I feel at peace when you’re around. I have this absolute trust that you won’t hurt me, and I know you’d do anything to ensure my safety. I never knew that love could be like this.”
“Baby, I just wished I’d been here for you sooner. I wish like hell that I could have saved you from all the torture you went through growing up, but I swear on my life that I’ll die before anything like that happens to you ever again.”
Tugging his arm toward the bathroom, my gaze pierces his soul. I don’t need to say anything, he can feel my love for him, and I’m keenly aware of how he feels too. His arm is raging with heat. My hands are starting to sweat from the warmth he’s emitting from his palms and from my intense feelings for him. Shoving the shower curtain back to turn on the water, I release his hand.
Looking from the bathroom door to me, he raises his eyebrows. “When’s your mom coming home?”
Using my index finger in the come here motion provocatively. “Not for a couple of hours. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t drag you in here if I knew she’d be home anytime soon. I’d never do anything to jeopardize her believing you hung the moon. We’re just showering off. That’s all.”
Standing to meet him with a satisfied smirk, he places both of his simmering hands on my cheeks. As I wrap my arms around him, he anxiously holds my stare. Ravishing my lips once more, he mouths, “Fair enough.”
Once we’re done washing up, and the waters run cold, we towel off and head to the kitchen. “Mama will be so happy that we’ll have supper cooked when she gets here. She’s always taken care of others. It’ll be nice for her to be taken care of for once.”
Cooking in the oven is sweet potato souffle, green bean casserole, squash casserole, and barbeque pork chops. We set the table for the three of us, and just as the food is finished, my precious mother whisks through the front door.
Completely taken by surprise, she gasps, “Oh my gosh, what is that wonderful smell?”
Gliding over to her, I take her hand, leading her to the dinner table. “Mama, you’re always taking care of others…it’s about time someone caters to you. I hope you like what we’ve concocted.”
Kissing my cheek, she croons, “I’m sure it’s perfect, whatever it is.”
The timer goes off, indicating the food is done. Pierce takes it out of the oven and places it on potholders on the table. I grab the utensils for each entrée, then pour everyone something to drink. Appreciating my current circumstances, I stop and admire the scene.
Gosh, I love this sight—both of the people I love the most sitting right here with me. I never dreamed this would happen. I don’t want this moment to end.
Having finished eating, mama wipes her mouth with her napkin and surprises me. “You know, I had a slow day at work today, and I got to work on your dress almost all day. At this rate, I’ll be done with it in a few of weeks instead of six.”
Bug-eyed, I gape, “Really? That’s fantastic. When do you think I’ll be able to try it on?”
Stars gleam in her eyes. “I bet by next Saturday.”
Pierce chimes in, “That’s fantastic.” Then eagerly, he leans forward and asks, “That means we can have the ceremony sooner?”
Unsure if he’s ready for it to happen so soon, I tilt my head toward him skeptically, “Um, is that what you want?”
Pierces all but shouts, “Hell yeah, the sooner, the better.” Wide-eyed, he covers his mouth and gives an awkward chuckle, “Sorry Ms. Campbell, I’m just so excited.”
Patting his hand, she assures, “It’s okay, Pierce. I’m glad my little girl has found someone as good as you.”
Rolling my eyes, I point out. “See Pierce, I told you she thinks you hung the moon.”
All of us bellow in laughter.
Man, this feels like heaven.
30
Pierce
The sun's rays strike my eyelids as I pull Tova close, snuggling her body into mine and nipping the back of her neck. “Rise and shine, beautiful. It’s another day in paradise. We get to go show everyone your new ass-kicking skills.”
Grumbling, she flips over to face me. “Okay, but only because I might get to actually do some damage to your ruthless brother.”
“As long as it
’s not me, I’m good with it.” I nibble her luscious lips.
She nuzzles into my bare chest with a laugh. “I just love sleeping next to you and waking up in your arms. I want to always be in your embrace. Can’t we just stay like this all day?”
Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, I say, “After our ceremony, we’ll get an entire week off of training, and I swear if this is all you want to do, then that’s what we’ll do. I don’t need an elaborate place to escape to that I’ve never seen before, like some people do after they say their vows. I don’t even need food or water. I just need you.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind seeing the coast. I’ve never been outside these walls. I’ve been told there’s nothing like the vast sea, crashing waves, and soft sandy beaches.”
Raising up, I prop myself up on my arm. “If you want, we can go there. One territory that we barter with is along the shore. Kage has been there a few times and always raves about how stunning it is.”
“I’d love to go one day.” Hesitancy fills her voice, “But I don’t want my first time outside the protection wall to be for our pleasure, though. I want to get a little more familiar with the surroundings on the other side, and maybe when we go to an exchange, we can venture out to see the ocean. I’d rather spend our week here, not traveling, just you and me…” Scanning the loft below, she adds, “and the horses.”
I admire her blue-green eyes. “I’ll go wherever you want, babe, and do whatever you want.”
“Mmm, I love you, Pierce. You were made for me, you know that?” she murmurs and closes her eyes.
“Yes, baby, and you were made for me.”
I kiss her once more before we drag our bodies up, forcing ourselves to get prepared for today’s training.
Hitting the track with the guys, we fill them in on Tova’s new self-defense skills while we run. Once we’ve completed two hours of running, we’re all soaked with perspiration. Tova’s friends are on the track's outskirts, and we meet up with them and stretch, getting ready to head to the arena.
“Tova, it looks like you’re in much better spirits than you were yesterday,” Adi observes.
Tova counters, “I am, thanks to Pierce.”
Adi eyes me up and down suspiciously. “Oh really…?” Closing her eyes, she shakes her head. “Nope, I’m afraid to ask…not going there.”
Tickled, Tova responds, “No! Nothing like that. Gosh Adi, does your mind always go to the gutters?”
“Tova, you know it does,” Dani-Jo teases.
Tova sneers and pulls her arms behind her back, tugging on them in a stretch. “Ugh, Adi. Pierce and I had a one on one…”
Interjecting, Adi jams her fingers into her ears, belting, “La la la la la la! I can’t hear this! My virgin ears will bleed.”
Tova yanks Adi’s arms away from her ears. “Stop it! Let me finish. I was saying that he taught me some bad-ass self-defense skills, that’s all!” Glaring over at Kage, she spitefully hints, “Given the right opportunity, I’ll unleash my newfound skills on him.”
I call attention to her vengeance, wiping the sweat from my brow. “You really have it out for him, don’t you, babe?”
“Well, if he didn’t have it out for me, then I might not be as bitter. But as it is, I’m just ready for payback.” She twists her hands together and taunts, “Let’s get this party started.”
Enthusiastically, she grabs my wrist, tugging me toward the exit. I caution, barely able to keep up with her, “Babe, you know he’s the one who taught me all of those moves. He’ll be ready to counterattack without a thought. If you two end up brawling it out, don’t forget to focus. Don’t let him get inside your head. Don’t let your guard down. Anticipate his move before he does it. He’s trained to bring out your weakness so you can get stronger in that area. It’s not personal. He’s a great guy, a wonderful brother, but a brutal mentor.” I stress every word, “He. Will. Not. Go. Easy. On. You.”
“Pierce you don’t think I know that? My freaking back is living proof of his ruthlessness, but I’m not afraid, and you shouldn’t be either. And don’t think for a moment you can intervene. I have to figure this out on my own,” she threatens.
“Babe, you can’t expect me to sit back and watch my brother mistreat you.”
“I just have to remember that and focus on perfecting my skills. If I get to a point where it’s too much, I’m sure he’ll let up,” she says, attempting to reassure me.
I snatch my wrist out of her hold. “Ha, that’s where you’re wrong. He’ll take you down and not think twice about it, and he’ll never apologize either. He’s hard-wired to instruct, using whatever it takes to make you better. If he doesn’t single you out, don’t go looking for trouble. Promise me.”
Flinging her head back, she groans, “Uh, okay. I promise. Now can we go get ready for the arena?”
She sulks toward me and I take her by the waist. “Of course.”
Now that we’re all in camouflage and prepared to enter the arena, I quickly scan our group, reminding them, “No pajamas this Friday, only steak, now let’s kick some ass.”
All together in a circle, hands in the middle, we chant, “Superiors are Losers!”
The buzzer sounds, and we haul ass inside, our adrenaline surging. We equip ourselves and seek out the Superiors. Quickly we make a beeline toward the other side where we know they’re entering. Stealthy as possible, we sneak onto the other side of the arena and circle up, our backs together toward the middle. We’re in a heavily wooded area, so these guys could be hiding anywhere. Crouching down, we hold our stance, prepared for an attack on any side, or even above, like before. A good thirty minutes pass by without so much as a sound from the opposing team. Not relinquishing our position, we hunker down and wait them out.
Kole hisses, “I guess they’re trying to tire us out.”
“They should know by now we’re not easily exhausted,” Jace scoffs.
“Yeah, they should know we’re a force to be reckoned with,” Kaden agrees.
“They’re up to something. I don’t know what it is, but the hair is rising on the back of my neck. When they pounce, it’s going to be rough,” Tova warns.
“Bullets will be hard-pressed to reach us through this thicket. They’ll have to come in on us hot and heavy, forcing close contact,” I acknowledge.
No sooner than I finish my sentence, the brush in front of Adi rustles, and she’s immediately taken from our circle. Dani-Jo lets out a squeal, then she’s next. All of us rise from our crouched positions and ready our weapons.
Kole is prepared to shoot into the bushes where they were taken, but before he can unload, Jace shoves his arm down. “You could hit the girls. We need to follow them and go from there.”
I nod at the two, letting them know that Kaden, Tova, and I are okay with their plan. They rush through foliage and disappear.
“They’re not done, Pierce. I can still feel it,” Tova says in a low voice.
“Focus, babe, don’t let fear overcome you.”
“Okay, I’m trying my best.”
“Let’s put our backs together and slowly circle around. The Superiors will have a harder time snatching anyone if we’re not directly in their line of fire.” I look over my shoulder at Tova. “You know you’re next, right? Kage is probably just waiting for the right moment.”
“Yea, I’m aware,” she sighs.
“If this was real, we’d be climbing trees to get a better vantage point, but you want to get revenge, right?”
“More than you know.”
“Alright, be prepared for…” Before I can finish my sentence, she’s snatched from our circle. Kaden and I wait a minute or two before we both tear through the bush after her.
We can’t hear a peep. They must have her gagged.
Shit!
Now, I’m the one panicking. Kaden places his hands on my shoulder, pressing us down. “Look at the grass…how it’s snapped. We need to follow the trail.” Reading me like a book, he breathes, “Don’t
let your emotions get the best of you. She’s going to be okay.”
I inhale deeply. “Yeah, okay. Let’s get moving.” “Where did they disappear so fast? This is ridiculous! I can’t hear them or see movement anywhere.” I deliberate, thrusting my fingers through my hair.
“Not sure, but we need to give Tova time to escape on her own. That’s what she wanted. Remember what we were all talking about this morning while jogging on the track?”
“Yeah, but I hate the thought of anyone hurting her.”
“I know, man, but just trust that you taught her the skills necessary to free herself without our help. Now is the perfect time to let her build her confidence. This is a controlled environment. The Superiors will make sure she’s not hurt…severely.” Kaden’s attempts at calming my anxiety are less than spectacular, but I know he has a point.
“That’s just it! I don’t want her hurt at all.”
Lowering closer to the ground, I spot footprints leading toward another path. Flashing my eyes up at Kaden, I nod my head in that direction. We creep in the tracks' direction, rising to an upright position, and follow it for at least ten minutes.
We approach a nearby oak and stand still as we glimpse rustling in some brush. Looking at each other, we creep toward the movement. Almost to the base of the tree, Adi rolls out in front of us, gagged, hands and feet bound. She’s visibly pissed. We rush to her side as she huffs and squirms, trying to free herself. Kaden and I slip our hands under her arms, placing her on her rump. She glares at the two of us with a flushed face as sweat pours down the side of her temples. I snatch off the gag while Kaden loosens her hands and feet.
Protecting Tova (Iron Mountain Book 1) Page 17
