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“You want to learn how to punch?”
“And fight.”
“Why?” He steps away, crossing his arms in front of his chest, which does nothing for my resolve to stop eyeballing his delicious biceps.
“I’ve been here for a month and I’ve already been chased twice. I’d like to be able to defend myself if someone finally catches up to me.”
“I suppose your luck is bound to run out at some point.” He smirks.
“Exactly.” The joke’s on him, though. My luck ran out the minute I stepped foot in Blackwood and met his overbearing older brother.
“Fighting and defending yourself are two different things.” He cocks his head to the side.
“I know. I just don’t want to be powerless.”
“Fine. But you can’t fight in this.” He gestures at my jeans and t-shirt. “Dante should have some spare clothes in the changing room. Go find something to wear and come back. Then we’ll see what you’re made of.”
I don’t bother nodding, retracing my steps and walking into the adjacent room instead. Ignoring the door leading into the courtyard, I rummage through drawers, finding a pair of grey sweatpants I could swim in, a pair of boxer shorts and a tee. I change out of my clothes quickly, pulling the drawstrings on the sweatpants taut and tying them together with a double knot in hopes they’ll stay on my ass while Angelo teaches me how to fight. I forgo a bra, not having found anything that I could use instead of the expensive La Perla one I had on, then tie my hair into a high ponytail. Barefoot, I walk through the door into the gym,instantly finding Angelo. I haven’t been gone long, but his tan skin glistens with perspiration as he attacks the punching bag, uppercutting it. The force with which he moves lets me know that if it was a real life opponent on the receiving end instead of an inanimate object, he would probably be lying on the floor, knocked out.
“Ready?” Angelo exhales rapidly, his shoulders moving up and down. “Let’s see what you’re made of,” he continues as I walk over to where he’s standing, my feet pressing against the soft mat underneath.
Without warning, he lunges at me, his arms shooting out to grab my waist, but I’m not as defenceless as either one of us thinks. Years of having to dodge unwanted hands and running away made me agile enough that I manage to slip past him as he barrels through. This is not too bad at all. I swing to the side, thinking I’m in the clear, but, like an idiot, I underestimate my opponent. Angelo whirls around, kicking his leg out from under him and cutting me down. I crash land on the mat with a thud as he lands on top of me, his hands pushing my arms over my head, locking them as he renders me immobile. My breathing speeds up as I kick and buck underneath him, to no avail. My mind conjures images of the last time someone was on top of me like that. I’m seconds away from a full-blown panic attack.
“What the fuck?” A cold voice rings through the quiet gym. But instead of sounding threatening, it grounds me. I close my eyes, letting the feeling of calmness and safety wash over me.
“Your little secret wanted to learn how to defend herself.” Angelo gets off me, releasing my wrists.
I stay on the floor with my eyes closed as Dante and Angelo argue in hushed tones, letting my ragged breath normalise. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea if my reaction to being pinned down is anything to go by.
“What are you wearing?” Dante towers above me.
I lazily open my eyes, meeting his gaze. “Clothes.”
“One day, Alessandra.” His voice is low and rumbly. “I’m going to spank the brat out of you.”
I swallow, unable to look away.
“And you’re going to beg me for more,” he finishes, dropping to his knees beside me. He’s wearing a pair of grey sweatpants just like the ones I have on and nothing else. His beautiful tattoos are in my direct line of sight and this time I can’t help but study them. The avenging angel with a crown on his head and a gun in his hand, hovering over a graveyard made out of skulls as its unfurled wings span the entirety of Dante’s chest. The Latin words strewn across the side of his abdominals.In Nomine Familiaeon one side andSanguis Super Omniaon the other.
“Had your fill?” Dante asks as I lick my lips, lifting onto my elbows.
“Where is Angelo?” I look around.
“He had to leave.”
I sigh, annoyed. “He was teaching me how to defend myself.”
“He’s not a very good teacher, Alessa.”
“Oh, and you are?” I mock.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
I burst out laughing. God, he’s cocky. And handsome. Would licking his abs really be such a bad idea?
“If anyone is going to teach you how to fight, it’s going to be me,” he says confidently, reaching his hand out and wrapping it around my arm before pulling me up to a sitting position.
“Fine.” I glance about the room, giving him a half shoulder shrug while in all actuality my body is on high alert. “Not like I have a choice.”
