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I want her fully capable of defending herself, but she’s right—she and Isabella need this. Their combined forces will be so much more powerful. Renata adjusts her stance, mirroring Isabella’s actions.
“Relax your shoulders,” Isabella snaps. “You’re too tense.”
Renata exhales, following her advice.
“Not like that.” Isabella’s voice is sharper now, and I can see Renata stiffen from here.
“Like this?” Renata adjusts again, but it’s evident she’s frustrated.
Isabella steps closer, her eyes hard on Renata as the other women here—Aleksandr’s Harper, Mikhail’s Aria, and Polina—continue the drill. “You have to be precise. Control your breathing. Don’t just follow my movements like a robot. Understand them. Make themyours.”
Renata’s face flushes. I know her well enough to know she’s fighting both embarrassment and anger. “I’mtrying,Isabella.”
“Try harder,” Isabella retorts, her tone unyielding. “Do you think an enemy will wait for you to get it right? You think half-assing it will cut it?”
Renata’s fists clench. “Of course not. I’m not stupid.”
“Then show me!” Isabella’s voice rises as she shoves Renata’s shoulder. “Prove it!”
I clench my own fists but hold myself back.
Something snaps in Renata. “Enough!” she yells. “I’m not half-assing anything.” She shoves Isabella back with a force that seems to surprise them both.
For a moment, they stand still, staring at each other before they both spring into action. There’s precision in Renata’s strikes, a power that catches Isabella off guard. She’s forced to defend herself vigorously.
“There you go,” she says with reluctant pride as they continue to spar. “That’s it, Renata. You’refierce.I know where you come from. I know who you are. Fuckingprove it.”
They move as one, sparring, blow after blow, following until Isabella calls for a halt, her palm in the air. Both of the women are heaving from the exhaustion, their hair wild and untamed. Renata’s clings to her damp neck.
“Better,” Isabella says. “Control your emotions when you fight. Anger can be powerful, but it can be your downfall if you don’t pace yourself.”
Renata nods, more subdued. “I get it.”
“You’re getting the hang of this.”
“Thanks,” Renata says softly. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt this… powerful.”
Isabella’s expression softens. She lays an absentminded hand on the gentle swell of her belly. “You’ve always been powerful.Capable. Strong. You need to remember not to bow under the weight of adversity. Lean into it. Make its energy your own.”
Renata stares at her friend. “Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
Isabella holds Renata’s gaze for a long moment and finally nods.
“You did well. I’m proud of you.” She turns away and helps Polina with her stance.
I beckon to Renata. “Come here.”
She gives one last look toward Isabella, who turns and nods, dismissing her. They’re moving forward.
When Renata reaches for me, I place a gentle finger under her chin, capturing her gaze with mine. “I allowed that because you two needed to reconnect. But from now on? I’m the one who teaches you self-defense. I wanted you to make your peace, but I’m a jealous man, Renata. I don’t share. What’s mine stays mine, and no one else gets a claim on you.”
Her eyes twinkle mischievously, but she only nods.
“Say goodbye to King Arthur for a bit. We’re going out.”
“Out where?”
I blow out a breath and look around me, half expecting the motherfucker to materialize out of thin air.
