Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The blow caught mean the stomach, driving thear from her lungs. She doubled over gasping black spots dancing at the edges of her visio
“Again” her instructor said, not unkindly but without sympathy. “You dropped our guard.”
Amek straightened Sighting to control her breathing Sweat trickled down her backsking the gray tank top she wore muscles screamed in protesterased her hands to the defensive position she been taught.
“Ready” she managed between breaths.
Katya modded, her sharp features giving nothing away. The former military specialist circled Amelia on the training mat, looking for weaknesses, openings, any sign of erately. Exactly what an attacker would look for
“Remember” Katya said, her Eastern European accent making the words sound harder, “ight now for you to be ready. No replays for You must be prepared always
The next attack came without warming–a sweeping kick aimed at Amelia’s legs. This time she reacted instinctively, jumping book just enough to avoid it, then countering with a palm steroward Katya’s face
Katya blocked but nodded in approval “Better You are learning”
Three weeks of this training, three hours every morning. Amela’s body had changed in ways she hadn’t expected Muscles she didnt k
he possessed now made themselves know with every movement. Bruises in verous stages of healing decorated her arms, legs, of her progress.
“Again, Katya demanded
Amela barely had time to reset before Karya lunged forward, grabbing for her throat with shocking speed instinct took over, the more they practiced hundreds of times now ambedded in her muscle memory Amelia fisted her body sideways, deflecting Kaya’s arm with her own, then sered the instructor’s w using the woman’s momentum to pull her off balance
For a moment, it worked perfectly. Katya stumbled forward, caught by surprise. But then the experienced fighter recovered, twisting her arm free and counting with an
an elbow that stopped just short of Amelka’s te
Semple.
“Dead“Katya announced “But not bad One month ago, you would be dead in two seconds. Now it takes me four
From most people that would sound like mockery From Katys, it was high praise.
“Again,” Amakad, her woce stronger the
Surprise flickered across Katya’s face, quick
Latross Katya’s face, quickly replaced by grudging respect. Usually, she was the one pushing for more Amelia calling for another round new
Unlocked
Chapter 14
They circled each other once more on the training mat in the lower level of Lucas’s Swiss villa. The space had been converted into a fully equipped gym, with one section dedicated to combining Lucas hanged for Katy’s services after memerinding more physically capable. What begun as basic self–defense lessons had evolved into something more intensive
Something that felt like preparation
“Tell me,” Katya said as they moved cautiously around each other, “why do you push yourself this way? What are you afraid of
Amelia didn’t take her eyes off Katya’s hands, watching for the slightest tensing that would signal an attack. Tot afraid. Not anymore”
“Lie,” Katya said simply “Everyone fears something. The question is whether lear controls you, or you control
A memory flashed through Amelia’s mind, standing in that restaurant as Richard introduced Charlotte. The helplessness Thehumation. The way her world collapsed while she just stood there, paralyzed by shark
The distraction cost her. Katya’s fist connected with her shoulder, sending a jolt of pain down her arm
“Focus” Katya barked “Your mind wanders, you die
Amelia shook her head, forcing herself back to the present “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Fight”
hen Katya attacked, Amelia was ready. She sidestepped the punch, grabbed Katy’s extended arm, and executed the lavede
hey’d practiced the day before Katyand the mat with a surprised grunt, but rolled immediately and week’s feet from under her
The time when
They both ended up on the floor, Amela pinned beneath Katyal forearm across her throat
“Dead again” Katya declared, but there was approval in her eyes. “That takedown was good. You’re getting
laster.”
She released Amela and stood, offering a hand to help her up. Amelia took it wincing as she got to her feet Her entire body fat like onegant bruise
“Enough for today” Katya said, checking her watch. “Tomorrow we start with weapons
Amelia’s eyebrows rose. “Weapons?”
niske Katyas expression turned grim. “Gun is quick death from distance Kafels slow up close. You must know how the common threat for wor
“Knife defense. Most important
hean devturbing. Instead, Amelia found it oddly comforting No pretend sugarcoating just practical knowledge about surviving in dangerous world
middle–class security. A world when need to understand if she was going to navigate her owners
Chapter 14
beready“Amelia promised
Katy studied her with pleny “You have fighter spirit Unexpected in woman who was housewife so long”
The words stung, but Ameia recognized the truth in them. 7 was always a house forget who I was for a while
And now you remember?
Amela picked up a towel, wiping sweat from her face. T
Tm remembering Every day”
Katya nodded, satisfied with the answer to shows Rest Tomore harder.
Hot water pounded against Amela’s sore muscles, washing away the sweat of training but not the new awareness that had taken out in her. The awareness of r body as more than just something to clothe and feed. As a tool, won an instrument of her will
Richard had never struck her–she had to give him that much. Hawkehad been subtle. The dismissal. The condescension. The gradual whining away of her confidence until she believed she needed him to navigate the world
Amela turned off the water and stepped out of the shower wrapping herself in a plush towel. The bathroom mirror dogged over, but shaped a clear spot and examined her reflection
The woman who stared back looked nothing like the one who had sat across fromchard in that restaurant weeks ago The short, stylish hout Eva had encouraged. The leaner plaque from Katya’s brutal training regimen. The hardnihy that had been there before
But the changes went deeper than the physical trade where mattered most, something fundamentalhaded. The fear that had been her constant com
nowthat night–Bar of being alone, fear of starting over, fear of falling–had begun to recede, replaced by something cooler and more controlled
Not fearlessness Katya was right–everyoneered someting But mattery of that low. The ability to function despite to use her than be used by it.
h
Amelia dressed in comfortable clothes and made her way downstairs Lucas was a study on a video call with New York office. Ex was at her university classes. The villa fet praceful Amelia could focus solely on her transformation
She found herself in the suddenly vous after the moning’s exertion Katyning program came with a tonal component Body is machine she’d lectured Fuel it properly or fals when you need it most.”
As Amela prepared the protein–rich meal Katya had prescribed her thoughts drifted to the previous days training session. They had practiced escaping holds–what to do if someone grabbed her from behind, or pinned against a wall. The physical memory of those scans taggered omething unexpected
Twenty
putter Julia was born, a man had followed me through a shopping center parking lot He’d called out to he asked for directions, then suddenly been so close handgriping with fightering strength. Richard the man had backed off immediately
and had appeared from nowhere, having finasted ha shopping early an
“You have to be more aware Richard had scolded afterward hadnt shown up
He’d never finished the sentence Headed to Themes was clear Amela needed protection Richard’s protection
Chapter 14
And she’d believed him. Had accepted her role as the vulnerable one, the one who needed safeguarding. It had been easier, somehow, than acknowledging the world’s dangers and learning to face them hersel
The memory ory made her grip the kitchen counter, anger heating her blood. Not at the stranger from all those years ago. As Richard. At herself. At the dynamic they’re together that cast her as permanent victim, him as permanent savior
th Richard suddenly shifting roles from protector to destroyer, leaving me with no defense against the blow
Adynamic that had culminated in that restaurant, with
“Never again,” she whispered to the empty kitchen
