Page 65 of Barinov

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

He smiles, all teeth. “Great. How about dinner tonight? I have a meeting this afternoon but should be done around five.”

“Sounds great.” I force a smile.

“Perfect. I made sure this was full for you,” he says while strutting over to the closet. “Outfits, shoes, jewelry, everything you need.”

“Thank you.” I nod.

“I’ll see you tonight.” He turns, his footsteps soft as he disappears down the hallway.

I wait until I can’t hear him anymore before sliding the letter back into my hands.

“Aunt Claire, you better be right about this,” I whisper to myself as I trace my name with a pointed finger.

“Isabella Marie Blackwood.”

Chapter 16

CADE

The Pit

14 days since Bella’s kidnapping.

I hit the mat face-first.

Again.

The breath rips from my lungs, leaving me flat on the cold vinyl. My cheek burns, I’m drenched in sweat, my ribs are throbbing, and my arms feel like jelly. I close my eyes, trying to stop the room from spinning. For a second or two, I consider staying down.

“Get up.” Khoza’s deep voice slices through the haze as his frame shadows my entire body.

So much for that.

I push myself up slowly. “This isn’t working,” I groan. “We’ve been at it for over an hour.”

Khoza just stares at me, circling again like a vulture around fresh roadkill.

“I’m not a fighter,” I snap.

“No,” he says with a tilt of his head. “Not yet.”

Khoza jabs fast. His knuckles catch my shoulder and I stumble back with a grunt. Another swing, but I duck just in time, my heart hamering against my ribcage.

“See? You’re learning,” he says, his voice flat. “A little.”

I glare up at him. “How the hell is any of this supposed to help?”

“You need to be ready for anything,” he says, stepping forward.

He jabs again, connecting with my jaw. My head snaps back. A white-hot pain flashes for a moment as I fall hard into the ropes.

“You’re too soft, man,” he growls, stepping back to bounce on the balls of his feet. “Lex would never—”

“I’m not Lex!” I yell as I stagger to my feet.

“No shit.” He smirks. “That bastard would’ve given me a solid klap to the nose by now.”