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“Do you have any idea what it’s been like for me? Not knowing if he’s hurting you or if he’s got his hands on you. Not knowing anything!” He seethes.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but having his hand around my throat and seeing his anger, it’s turning me on. I put my hand behind his neck and pull him to me until our mouths meet in a desperate kiss.

His grip on my throat tightens slightly, and it just spurs me on more. I bite into his lower lip, and he groans just the way I like. All logical thought escapes me. I don’t think of the risks. I don’t think that anyone could catch us here. I don’t think Tom could happen upon us at any minute. I don’t care. All I care about is Kade’s body against mine. I can feel my pulse quickening, my breathing becoming more erratic, the tingling in my arm starting to increase. I break away from the kiss but he leans his forehead against mine, both trying to catch our breath. It’s almost as if the ring knows what I’m doing.

“I can’t do this, Viper, I’m losing my mind. You’re in every thought, you invade my dreams, you’re all I think about. I have to have you, I have to touch you, to just be with you… but I can’t…because of him.” He pours his heart out to me like it’s effortless, but I know how much it takes for him to say this.

“You think I want this? Kade…all I want is you! I want a future with you. There’s so many things I want that I didn’t think were possible… until you came into my life. Sometimes I think you’d be better off without me.” The tears are streaming down my face. He grabs my chin and tilts my head up.

“I will give you any future you want Viper.” He vows.

“Emilia!” I hear a shout from across the woods. No doubt, Tom.

I roll my eyes. The frustration of not being able to have a full conversation, not being able to have a moment alone is overwhelming.

“We need to talk… properly…we need a plan in place.” Pure authority, he is a sergeant through and through.

“Let’s get this weekend over with, and we’ll talk when we’re back…properly…no interruptions…I promise.” I purr.

He kisses me with pure urgency and hunger. His tongue flicking mine briefly before he pulls away. Tease.

“I don’t take kindly to broken promises, Viper.” He vows. I try and hide the nervousness I feel. I keep telling myself I’m hiding the shocks to protect him, not to intentionally break my promise.

“Emilia!” Another shout, this time from Cyrus.

“Go, I’ll go around the back of the camp.” Kade releases me, and I go to run out of the woods before turning back to him.

“Kade, when I give you this sign, it means I’m ok.” I make a circle with my thumb and index finger. He studies it with such intensity, I have no doubt he cares about me.

“Be on your guard today. It’s sparring, I don’t know what he has up his sleeve,” he says.

“Copy that…Sergeant.” I purr.

“Get out of here before I pin you against this tree again.” He orders and I run out of the forest, laughing. It feels so good to laugh. I’m happy, despite everything. It’s only a matter of time before my happiness implodes. I just know it.

KADE

Every single unit has gathered around the pit with their sergeants in the front. Opponents will be decided through a name draw; it’s the only way to be fair. I look up to the heavens, if there’s anyone up there, to pair me up with Tom. I’m not a believer but if there is anyone up there, please grant me this small mercy.

“Kade… you’ll be sparring with…” The suspense is killing me. I don’t really care who I spar with, but if it is Tom, it’ll be a bonus to this weekend.

“Tom Andrews.” The heavens are smiling down on me. I can’t hide the smile that graces my face. Emilia stands beside me, her brows are furrowed inward and she’s biting her lower lip. God, I want to be the one biting her.

I lean into her and whisper, “Don’t worry, I won’t kill him… yet.”

“Hang on, I don’t think that’s fair,” Tom announces. “We’ve sparred before, I think we should have different opponents.” I should have known the slimy leach would try and get out of it.

“Could it be that Kade put you on your ass last time, Tom?” Cass teases, and my unit laughs.

Someone from Tom’s unit shouts over the laughs. “How about the soon to be wedded couple face off.”

Emilia grabs hold of my arm and squeezes. I glance down at her. I often forget how much shorter she is compared to me, make no mistake about it, she’s lethal. She is glowing with excitement. Her legs are shaking, her hands twirling in her silver strands, and when she glances up at me through her eyelashes, I know she wants to get in the pit.

“Okay Tom, take your pick—me or Emilia?” I give him the choice, knowing full well who he is going to choose. I can give her this, despite me wanting to tear his head off his shoulders.

“Emilia.” Tom announces.

Excitement shines within each unit. Gasps and laughter can be heard all around. The dumb bastard doesn’t know what he’s in for.