Page 78 of Shackled

“Mom.” Polina steps outside wearing her workout leggings and a tank. “Look at the woman. Does she look like the type that eats pastry for breakfast?”

Her mother laughs out loud. “Definitely not.” She winks at me. “You and Lev are absolutely a match made in heaven. Do you two make protein shakes together?”

I can’t help but snort at that. “You have no idea.”

Match made in heaven? I stifle a sigh. We could be.

“Alright, girls,” I tell them all as we’re lined up outside. “Last time, we went over how to disengage a wrist grab. We also discussed how to gain leverage by hitting the most vulnerable points. Most men are larger and stronger than most women, so relying on brute force or fighting in most cases won’t be helpful. Let’s continue to go over techniques that might be.”

I move to the center of the room, my eyes scanning over the eager faces of the women gathered in front of me. Polina, slender and willowy and eager to learn. Aria, glasses perched on her nose, alert and ready. Harper, with her thick brown hair tied up in a ponytail, a gun in a holster by her side. Even Viktor’s Lydia has joined us.

“Today, we’ll learn how to escape a bear hug from behind. This is a common technique in a hostage situation, so it’s important to know how to react effectively.”

I motion for Polina to step forward, demonstrating how to position her hands. “If someone grabs you from behind in a bear hug, the first thing you want to do is drop your center of gravity. Bend your knees slightly and shift your hips down. This makes it harder for the attacker to lift you.”

She watches as I continue. “Next, create space. Use your elbows to strike backward into the attacker’s ribs or stomach so they loosen their grip. You can also stomp on a foot or use your heel to strike a shin.”

I step back. “Now pair up and practice.”

I walk between them, offering suggestions and encouragement. “Good. Remember to keep your movements quick and forceful. You want to create pain and surprise so they release you. Always keep your head on straight so you have the advantage. Men will often rely on brute force when taking or hurting a woman. Be smarter.”

I watch them grow confident, their movements more fluid. I can’t help but feel a sense of pride alongside a growing sense of doom.

What will happen next? Are we prepared?

Where the hell is Lev? I have so many damn questions for him.

“Good job, ladies.” My heart thunders in my chest. I hold my breath, unable to look over my shoulder. I know that voice.

I don’t know what to think.

I turn and stare at Lev. He holds my gaze. A well of questions rises, bubbling to the surface. I have so much I need to ask him. So much I need to know.

Will he answer my questions?

I swallow hard and stare ahead, trying to control the shaking of my limbs.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he says, heading to me. My heart warms in spite of myself.

Maybe Renata was wrong. Maybe…

I hear the whistling sound at the same time he does. We stare at each other in a split second of recognition before he screams, “Go for cover!”

An explosion shatters the quiet. Screams erupt all around us as the stone bench in the garden explodes. Smoke billows in and clouds all around us. I fall to the ground, and it takes me a second to realize he’s on top of me, sheltering me beneath his heavy frame. I can’t see what’s happening.

“Stay down!” he thunders, not just to me but all of us. “We’re under attack.”

Smoke keeps coming and coming, and it finally dawns on me. “Lev, it was a detonation to distract, but the rest are smoke bombs. They’re coming. Let me up!”

He leaps off me, and we both grab our guns. I choke on the smoke all around us but keep my head like I told the girls. I fall to the ground so I can breathe better and swivel my gaze all around.

“Make sure everyone’s safe!” I scream. “Your mother, your sister!”

“Where is everyone?” Lev yells.

“Harper!”

“Here!”

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