Page 31 of Hell and High Water

“Hey, you asked for this.”

“I know I asked for this, asshole. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck,” I gasp. Another combo. This time, I nail it, perfect form, speed, and strength.

Gavin snorts, shaking his head, “You're just as stubborn as your dad.”

“Speaking of which, you never talk about him.” I hit the palm bags in a different sequence.

Yeah, well, there's some stories that are better left in the past. Not that I won’t tell you. It’s just, our lives were different back then. Things were always rough, but simple at the same time, you know?”

“I get that. Do you miss it? Being a merc?” I take a sip of water, take a lap around the room.

“I never really stopped. Working for the Ghosts and the Block and any other underworld client, cleaning up bodies was basically the same thing. Money for illegal work.”

“And my dad?”

“Aside from the fact that he fell off the face of the Earth? Of course I miss him. He was my mentor and my best friend.” It’s easy to forget sometimes that they served together, left the military together, and started their own mercenary team.

Gavin’s a good ten years younger than Damon, a fact that makes our age difference a little less weird.

Not that I ever cared. I know it bothered Gavin for a while, or got in the way of his realizing what was good for him.

“Do you miss the excitement?”

“Well, I did from time to time. But then a chaos-prone, booty-short wearing woman took over my house and pulled me into a whirlwind of danger and intrigue again, so…” He chuckles, swatting my fists out of the air as I try to strike again.

“You loved my booty shorts when I cleaned the house.”

“I love it more when you don’t wear anything.”

“I knew you were spying on me…”

“Focus. I thought we were training?”

“Ha! Did it feel good, jerking off, watching me on surveillance?”

Gavin’s face goes red.

“Not as good as the real thing…”

“Something about knowing that you were watching me, though… I couldn’t resist taking it all off for you.”

“Welp. That’s good enough for today. Don’t want you to wear yourself out,” he rattles off, blowing out a long, heated sigh.

I chase after him, laughing. “I’ll tell you when I’m done!”

Gavin adjusts himself through his sweatpants, and I can’t help looking down, biting my lip and shaking my hips a bit. He’s fucking hot.

“I suppose I should save a little energy for other… endeavors.”

“Keep that up and we’ll start another round of something…”

“Don't make promises you can't keep,” I sing over my shoulder, walking toward the stairs. “Shower time!” Already, I feel more confident, more capable.

Ever since my ordeal, I've felt weak. Not just because of my injury, but I’ve felt scared. Defenseless.

So, we both agreed it was worth the while for Gavin to train me in some self-defense. Not that it will protect me from a gunshot, but it makes me feel more able, all the same.

Additionally, he says it will help the wound heal better to work out my muscles and stay active. We just have to be careful not to overdo it.

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