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“La Vega is my home. It’s Hayley’s home too. But if you know a couple of assholes we can trust, I don’t mind training them too.” Monroe nudges me with his big palm to my lower back. “Now, let’s get some practice in. I want to see my girl sweat. I want to see you bleed a bit too. You got to earn your place, man. Hayley, don’t go easy on him. I know you have a thing for those who need to be coddled a bit.”
I laugh as he smacks my ass, shocked by the fact that he mentions he knows I could possibly like Cooper a little bit, and he doesn’t have a problem with it anymore. Well, at least just in this fighting ring.
“Monroe, stop it. It’s not like that. I barely know him.” I spin on my feet and swipe the blade at Monroe, getting him to hop back.
He just laughs again. “I know, little bird. But he doesn’t. I’ve seen you get riled up. And if you accidentally attack him and bite his throat, I want you to know I’m not going to be jealous. I know you’re mine.”
Cooper clears his throat and shifts awkwardly on his feet. “I know that too. You don’t have to worry. I know my place. It’s always been clear in my life where I belong. Hayley needs you guys.”
I don’t know how to respond, the conversation turning in a direction that I had no idea it could take.
Charging forward, I rush Cooper throwing him off guard. He didn’t expect me to start trying out the moves Monroe taught me, but I need to do something, anything, to get my mind off things and to stop thinking about biting him. It’s fucking weird now that Monroe mentioned it. I can’t stop thinking about it. His blood tastes just as good as the others.
“Oh fuck. I didn’t know you could fly so fast, little bird. Do that leg thing. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t think I can ever forget you stealing that damn banana from my fingers. That’s the one you’re going to use to get these guys on the ground.” Monroe claps his hands, encouraging me to fight.
I smile as I swing my leg up, catching it just right on Cooper’s neck while jumping into the air. I climb up him, squeezing his head between my thighs. He gasps and grabs my ass instinctively, but instead of throwing me off him, he freezes. I thrust my body forward, throwing him off balance. Landing on top of him, I practically suffocate him as my knees hit the mat. I use his distraction against him and swivel, stabbing my knife into his stomach, making him groan.
I regret it immediately. I knew I was supposed to fight. We all agreed that it would be okay if I stabbed instead of faked it because I need to get used to it, but what I didn’t expect was to have such a strong reaction to Cooper’s blood. It pours from the wound, startling me. I try to throw myself off him to put space between us, but Cooper digs his fingers into my thighs and rolls me off and onto my back. He pins me down with his hand to my throat. It’s as if my body decides now that I can’t fight him, because all I do is cry out. My fear instincts get the best of me, and I fail to push him off. I fail to do anything. If we were in the ring, and he was out to kill me, I’d be dead.
Cooper rushes to get off me and clutches his hand over the knife wound. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Hayley.”
Monroe growls, but he doesn’t try to attack Cooper or anything. He rushes to my side and kneels. Grabbing me under my arms, he pulls me up and sits me upright. Touching my chin, he gets me to look at him.
“Little bird, don’t give up so quickly. I know you don’t want to hurt anyone, but you have to remember Cooper is tough. You need to redirect your fears. What I want you to do is not think about how you could get hurt. I want you to be pissed off that he managed to overpower you. I want you to think about something else instead of fighting. Maybe think about a little blood exchange. If you can focus and teach yourself that this isn’t life and death, you might be able to push past those fears. I will make sure to talk to Sawyer. He might be able to do something about it.” Monroe leans in and kisses me. “Don’t be hard on yourself either. You did fucking amazing. Exactly what I wanted you to do.”
I blow out a breath and nod my head. How am I ever going to do this?
“I don’t know, Monroe.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “This isn’t me.”
“Damn right, it’s not you. You need to figure out who it is, though. I know you used Ruby Vixen to get you through the performances and all the sexual bullshit Alexander always made you do. If you use another persona, maybe you could do the same here.” Monroe looks to Cooper. “Do you have costumes and shit around here?”
Cooper bobs his head and motions toward the door. “The dressing room is down the hall. And I agree with you about the persona.” Strolling closer to me, Cooper looks down and offers me a smile. “Would you like me to pick you out something?”
“Yeah, thanks. I think Monroe’s right, and it’ll help me.” I lick my lips and inhale and exhale a couple of breaths. “I think it’s time I just shut down. I don’t know how else to deal.”
Cooper reaches out and pokes my nose playfully. “It’s okay if you do. I think it’ll be good for you. I think it’s best for you to embrace your new persona.”
I look at Monroe and force myself to smile. “Are you ready to meet Violent Violet?” I ask, watching his face morph into curiosity.
“Fuck yeah. The name is awesome. I bet she’s one badass bitch.” Monroe combs my hair behind my ear.
“I hope so.” And I really do. Because I need it. I won’t survive otherwise.
Chapter 10
HAYLEY
Bonding
A SOFT GROAN hums from behind me. “I’d offer to help you get dressed, but it would be too painful to do so. Ripping your clothes off is more of my expertise.” Knox stands in the doorway of the tiny dressing room, which is more like a closet compared to what I’m used to.
Monroe chuckles and grabs a tiny two-piece costume from the rack. Gemstones glitter across the dark fabric, sparkling in the harsh lighting that will ensure my makeup doesn’t look as perfect as I’m used to. “Then get your ass out of here. I don’t mind dolling her up. Look at this thing. Doesn’t it scream Violent Violet? I have the perfect wig for you as well.” Monroe snatches a colorful wig of the blues, purples, and pinks from its place on a small shelf. He flips it onto his own head and grins at me, tossing the strands over his shoulder. “What do you think?”
I laugh in amusement, swiveling in my makeup chair to face him. “It looks amazing on you. I think you should keep it. You can be Murderous Marilyn.”
Tipping his head back, Monroe cackles like a maniac. He rips the wig from his head and puts it on Knox instead. Knox growls and darts from the doorway and into the room, dodging out of his way until he reaches me and sets it on the vanity table.
“This fucker loves this shit far too much.” Knox slides his arm around my waist and pulls me into him. “Maybe he can just take your place. I’m sure if he shaved that fucking beard, no one would question it.”
