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She closed her eyes and tried to will away the images, but Antonio was there. He was mocking her, touching her, and forcefully restraining her. Valdere was unzipping her dress, touching her skin, preparing to pull off the rest of her clothing.
“You must overcome those fears, Gia. You’ve come so far. He can’t hurt you,” Lee said, interrupting her thoughts and forcing her to come back to the present. She opened her eyes. She felt the tears within them as she held his gaze. There was disappointment but also sympathy. He knew only part of the story. She had failed to tell him or anyone else about Valdere and his intentions. But after telling Lee about Antonio and his control, Lee had offered to help her. They were silent and she nodded her head to him and he nodded back then released her arms and jumped up in one motion to his feet. He stepped aside as the others bowed to him before he walked off the mats.
She hadn’t even remembered who was standing there. She sat up and there was a hand reaching out to her. She locked gazes with Shane as she took his hand.
“Don’t give up. You’ve come very far in such a short time. Lee will help you get through this,” Shane said and smiled.
He was a very nice guy. Just a few years older than her, he worked in SWAT for the Houston PD and he was very nice looking. His tough exterior initially threw her for a loop and she had actually thought he was an asshole. But, soon she realized that it was a cover. He just didn’t like to seem weak or destructible. Just like her, he had a moment of weakness that nearly cost him his life and his team’s. Part of his recovery was the martial arts class and the intense form of training Lee offered to law enforcement individuals. Lee of course allowed Gia to be part of it because of Teddy.
Helena handed her a bottle of water.
“We all have our weaknesses, Gia, but I can tell you that you’re right there, so close to defeating that move. The past is the past, remember?” Helena said and Gia nodded her head.
“Thanks.”
The sound of laughter and some commotion drew their attention toward the front room and the entrance to the dojo. Lee’s partner Pierce had just finished up another class that focused on ground struggles and grappling.
The others began to head that way while Shane continued to talk with her.
“I can’t seem to get the flashbacks out of my mind. I can’t stand this,” she stated as she grabbed her bag and flung it over her shoulder.
“Don’t make yourself nuts. Sometimes it just takes more time and a bit of refocusing.”
“Refocusing?” she asked as she turned her head toward him while they walked out of the room.
“Yep,” he said and then she felt the water go down her back from behind.
She squealed then turned to yell at him and take a swing, but he ducked, weaved, and wound up ahead of her.
“I’ll get you back, Shane!” she yelled as she chased him from the room and right into the others who were saying goodnight. That was when she saw Gunner McCallister standing there next to Lee and Pierce, towering over them and dressed in shorts and an army-green T-shirt. The man was filled with rippling muscles. She paused and Shane knocked over her bag. It fell to the floor and as he went to grab her, she ducked and swept his feet out from under him, causing him to fall to the mats.
The others laughed and teased him.
“Got you back,” she said with attitude to Shane as she smiled.
“I will be sure to return the favor, baby.”
She felt her chest tighten and that feeling of fear the instant the situation went from friendly to possibly something more.
“I was looking for Gia. I saw her car outside after I finished at the gym,” Gunner stated, making her turn to look at him. She nibbled her bottom lip as he seemed to absorb her attire.
“You two know one another?” Lee asked, sounding so parental, yet he was probably the same age as Gunner.
“See you on Friday, right, Gia?” Shane asked as he picked up his bag, looking at her then Gunner.
“Goodnight, Shane, I’ll see you here on Friday.”
He waved and left.
“Well, we’re getting ready to close up,” Lee said as Pierce smiled then shook Gunner’s hand.
“See you later.”
“Yeah, good seeing you, Pierce.”
“Yeah right, Gunner. You’re just saying that but I know you want a rematch.”
“Anytime anywhere, you know I’m in.”
