AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shrugged like it wasn’t the ultimate betrayal. “We did what was necessary to survive.”
“And I didn’t?”
“Does it really matter?” Haru asked. “Our answer won’t change, no matter how much you defend yourself to us.”
“That’s just it. I don’t have to defend shit. I’m going to take back my city with or without you, and the second I do, I’ll come for you too.”
“That’s exactly the kind of talk that gets you killed,” Ajilon warned softly.
“Bring it on. If I’m fighting a war, I might as well deal with all my enemies at once.”
Kosas scoffed again. “Your youth is showing, Mari. Don’t pick a battle you can’t win.”
“I’m not. I’m picking a war I intend to dominate. Hope you’re ready for the outcome.” I stood, nodding to the folders on the table with a smug smile. “Enjoy your rodents.”
I was still seething hours later. The second we got back to the Celestine, I headed straight for the private gym, and the guys settled at the wall, watching me work out my frustrations.
The rhythmic thump of the punching bag didn’t help. Neither did lifting weights or running.
After who knew how long, Dominic finally dragged me into the ring with a curt, “You need to hit something.”
He was right.
I rushed him, diving for his legs and twisting in time to catch him behind the knee. I pulled the punch, not wanting to hurt him, but he still went down. Before I could jump on top of him, he was up again, launching his own attack that I barely escaped. We parried back and forth, throwing punches and dodging grabs until my chest was on fire and every breath hurt. My cheek throbbed from a right hook he’d managed to land, and his lips and eyebrow were sliced and bleeding.
We looked like we’d gone through the wringer already, yet neither of us bowed out.
“Feeling better, mariposa?”
“Why? You ready to quit, old man?”
Dominic’s eyes glinted with mischief. He dove for my legs. I jumped, but he caught my ankle in midair and, with a single jerk, dropped me to my stomach. Air whooshed out of my lungs, and I struggled to suck it back in while my body screamed, We’re suffocating!
“Bitch move,” I wheezed, rolling away when he tried to trap me. I didn’t mind Dominic on top, but I wasn’t in the mood to be held down this time.
He grinned at me like he hadn’t just knocked the wind out of me. “We use what we’ve got.”
“Kick his ass, Mari!” Nate yelled.
“He could use a dose of reality,” Grey agreed, sharing his focus between his tablet and us. “His overinflated ego is getting too big to share a bed with.”
“Go sleep in your own room, then,” Dominic challenged, twisting to glare at Greyson.
My husband grinned as I wrapped an arm around Dominic, forcing him off-balance so I could roll us. “Haven’t you learned not to take your eyes off her for a second?”
Dominic panted under me, his playful glare turning molten as I took control of his arms. “How dare I forget.”
With Dominic underneath me, his wrists in my hand, I felt powerful again. A different kind of power, sure, but one all the same. Warmth wrapped around me, and I couldn’t help the slow grind of my hips on his.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” he warned, and I licked my lips.
“Who said I can’t finish it?”
“Sadly, I do.” Nate slipped into the ring and hauled me off Dominic, wiggling his phone. “We’ve got a name.”
Surprise and anticipation tingled up my spine. “Already?”
“Apparently, this guy’s as big as your family.” He tapped a few buttons, sharing the info with Greyson’s tablet before shoving his phone back into his pocket. It wasn’t much from what I could see, but it would be enough. It had to be.
