Page 29 of Savage

We continued along the winding road, surrounded by flat ground on either side of us and the base ahead. I could see clusters of soldiers who appeared to be working out in different groups. A sick feeling slammed into me at the thought of Jaxon’s looming training exercise. I imagined there was a good reason they named it an ‘assault’ course. My thoughts drifted to that Ant Middleton series I’d watched on TV. OMG, if it was anything like that, I was screwed.

Jaxon parked his ridiculously expensive car next to a row of beat-up vehicles that had all seen better days. The shining paintwork of the Ranger Rover made it look like royalty had pulled up next to the peasants.

I warily climbed out of the car into the warmer-than-expected air, not knowing what to expect. I hadn’t done anything rigorous yet and I was already sweating like a pig. My ponytail was stuck against the back of my neck and I cursed myself for not asking Jaxon to put the air conditioning on in the car.

As I slammed the door, this won me a ‘watch the paintwork’ comment from Jaxon. He then stormed around the vehicle to check I hadn’t dented the door of his baby. Like I had the strength to. I wasn’t fucking He-man!

I watched him with a smirk. “You know they say men who buy high-powered sports cars do so to compensate for their own inadequacies.”

Jaxon rolled his eyes and sauntered away. “I can assure you, little sister, that I have none of those. If you need proof, you only have to ask.” He stated, turning, and grabbing his crotch.

Losing my nerve, I purposefully looked away as a jet of heart pulsed through me. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

Glancing around the space I wrinkled my nose. I could hear what sounded like a generator, the fan whirring loudly. There was also banging, like someone was hammering close by. I could also hear a faint music beat and the occasion shout and hoot of laughter. Great, I was moments away from meeting Jaxon’s pumped-up squad. One he would soon be drilling to death with me in the mix, like a duck out of water. I could see from the grim determination on his face that he was looking forward to showing me the ropes. I also knew he wouldn’t go easy on me and my decision to agree to this insane proposal started to repeat in my throat. I reminded myself about the importance of my article. And if I had to run my stepbrother's gauntlet to get it, I bloody well would.

“Follow me,” Jaxon ordered with a flick of his head towards a built-up area of the base.

As I followed him, I could see what appeared to be the training yard through some trees. There was already a small gathering of soldiers, all wearing army gear and looking like they belonged. I would literally lift right out.

We turned a corner and headed towards a large building. I almost had to run to keep up with Jaxon’s long-legged strides, my breath was broken as it left my chest.

Suddenly he slowed and turned toward me. I felt his firm hand on my shoulder. He then went on to remind me of those ground rules about how he was in charge. I just stood there with my arms folded whilst he reeled off his army spiel. He said how important it is that soldiers follow instructions and then banged on about how it can mean the difference between life and death. I got that, of course, I did and I respected it, but I certainly wasn’t there for that purpose, was I? A simple assault course he’d said. Anxiety started to bubble in the pit of my stomach at the thought of being faced with anything overly unpleasant and overtaxing. I wasn’t unfit but I was delicately put together. I also wasn’t a fan of mud or getting wet. Two main ingredients of any type of assault course, I was sure.

As I was led down the outside of the building, the course revealed itself, in all its ugly glory. Most of the obstacles looked like torture devices, especially the large climbing wall and the nets on the ground. My stomach sank at the thought of dragging my body through all that mud.

There were creases of humour at the corners of Jaxon’s eyes which proved he’d picked up on my horror. “I would say don’t worry, you can do it, you’re a big girl but we both know I’d be lying?” His deep timbered voice jolted me from my thoughts. I dropped my face away, not wanting him to see my vulnerability, grinding my teeth at his sarcasm. And what the heck did that mean? Did he doubt my ability to do the course or was he making fun of my size? Both probably.

“You ready for a real workout, princess?”

Princess indeed. I refused to rise to the bait, my mouth opening and closing in a fishlike motion. Luckily, I was saved from having to answer his ludicrous question as a large burly man appeared by our side.

My eyes roamed over his face. He was deliciously handsome and was watching me with keen interest. My chest lurched again. I wasn’t looking forward to dancing to Jaxon’s tune, especially in front of his pack of mutts.

Jaxon noticed the soldier’s expression and his eyes narrowed as he made a sound of impatience. “Lieutenant Jacobs. This is Wynter Hart, Miss Hart to you. She’s joining in on the morning session. She’s a journalist and is here to spend a day in the life of a soldier for an article she’s working on. I expect you to look after her.”

“With pleasure,” he grinned.

I just stood there like a dummy whilst they talked about me. Jaxon was so sure that he could make me dance to his tune but I decided I wouldn’t take any shit from him. I was pleased he’d said I was a journalist though as maybe his team would respect me more.

At the end of the day, if there was anything I couldn’t do, I’d run around it and leave it out. He couldn’t force me to scale that huge wall with only a piece of rope to pull myself up on. As far as biceps went, mine were non-existent.

“So, Miss Hart, I hope you’re ready to chuck your guts up,” the Lieutenant chuckled with a smirk, casting a glance between Jaxon and me. Great.

“I’ll give it a go. Anything to please my big brother here,” I replied with a syrupy smile at Jaxon. I had the satisfaction of seeing him redden.

“I thought your sister was called Molly?” Jacobs questioned with a frown, running his hand across his stubbled jaw.

“She is. Wynter is a temporary addition to our family.” His words were cruel and unnecessary and the one-up-man-ship I’d felt backfired. My shoulders slumped and I felt Jacobs pat my arm. He must have seen how Jaxon’s words had affected me.

“Have you ever done anything like this before?” Jacobs said, shifting his gaze from Jaxon.

I shook my head. “Not really, but I’ll give it a go.” My eyes flickered toward my stepbrother who stood there staring down at me from his lofty position. I could tell by the look on his face and the way his jaw was clenched that he was banking on me failing. It made me more desperate to prove him wrong.

Jacobs watched the silent exchange between us before he slid an arm around my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s show him how it’s done.” He was big and stocky and I welcomed his strength. Jaxon muttered something under his breath before walking away.

Jacobs’ first name was Christian and he quickly introduced me around. Everyone’s expression varied from puzzled by my presence to keen interest.

There was a group of around twelve soldiers, and only three of them were female; one of them looked like a bodybuilder she was so ripped. She had short-cropped black hair and I noticed the kink in her nose, suggesting it had been broken in the past. She looked like a proper hard-ass. I felt like I’d seen her before but couldn’t quite place it.

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