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I think everyone did.
He leaned down and took in the situation like it was a math problem. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d been truly afraid and knew I’d be adding this one to my list.
I had no control against him, no real power. He dealt in secrets and lies, he wielded them like a weapon, and nobody, not even his own family, was excluded from the blow.
Slowly, Katya rose to her feet and tugged her dress down further.
I stayed on the ground, feigning innocence.
“You.” Phoenix pointed at me. “Are you teaching her to fight?”
“You.” I pointed back with an arrogant finger.
He slapped my hand away.
“Do you have a problem with a woman learning how to protect herself?”
“Oh, hell,” Tex muttered under his breath. “He pointed back.”
“I wanted just one day off,” Dante grumbled, running his hands through his thick dark hair.
Nixon and Sergio both seemed to be mildly amused, and Andrei was still half-crazed while Phoenix just glared.
Chase took a step forward and offered me his hand; surprisingly enough, I took it and stood.
All of the men seemed to be measuring me up and down. Katya slowly backed away.
They had no clue that they were scaring her just by the way they were looking at her; for whatever reason, it made me want to do my job more and protect her. I moved to stand in front of her when Phoenix struck.
I didn’t expect the blow to come. He got a right punch to my jaw; it hurt so bad I stumbled back, close enough to shield Katya from his rage.
And then all bets were off. I shook away the stars and glared at him. “Need to blow off some steam, old man?”
“Here we go…” Nixon chuckled.
It wasn’t funny.
“I’m not even thirty!” Phoenix roared.
“It’s a trigger, you see?” Chase nodded helpfully. “So good luck.”
Tex laughed, and all of them stood there, no joke, exchanging bets on who would win.
Like I was in the mafia circus or something.
“Should we tell the others?” Dante asked.
“Bring some wine from the cellar?” Nixon.
“Nah, vodka, this calls for the best.” Andrei.
“My vote’s with Andrei.” Chase.
“Same.” Tex.
“I could use a drink and a show.” Sergio.
What the hell was happening?
