Page 23 of Ruthless

Charlee is at least a bit more subtle about her feelings on this as she walks right behind her with slow, steady steps. The two of them are as thick as thieves in everything they do.

Connor trails after them but stops to kneel and pick up some gauze and gloves before stepping onto the mats. I stare after them for a few beats before my legs carry me off in the same direction. Once I’m standing directly in front of my brother, he dangles some gauze between his fingers and the pair of red gloves he picked up in his other hand.

“You remember how to wrap your hands, right?” He’s testing me, and it’s starting to piss me off.

“Yes. Would you like me to refresh your memory of how good my right hook is?” I put my hands on my hips, daring him to deny it.

“There she is.” He clucks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, flashing me a quick smirk. “I was worried we lost you to all of this bullshit for a minute. Good to know that you’re still more Donnelly than Savage.” His eyes glance down at my left hand. “And lose the ring. It’ll do more damage than good.”

“Give me that.” I roll my eyes and snatch the wad of gauze and gloves out of his hands before he can say anything else that will annoy me. Staring down at my wedding ring, I hem haw for a split second before taking it off and placing it on the chair I was sitting in. I hold the end of the gauze with my thumb and start wrapping my hands, making sure most of it goes over my knuckles.

Unbothered by my slight attitude, he goes over to where Dalian is wrapping Charlee’s hands and starts helping Kelsey with hers. He hasn’t said it in so many words, but I know the fact that Kelsey is our cousin is another reason for today’s lesson. Charlee is also becoming close like family, which only adds to his reasoning. He wants to make sure that all the women in his life are prepared and given the same chance that our mother wasn’t.

I don’t let Connor’s taunts get inside my head and focus on finishing up wrapping my hands. Today is the first day in a while that my nausea has felt somewhat manageable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t change soon. I plan on taking full advantage of this reprieve out on my brother. I might also be picturing a certain bearded bastard as I do.

Once my gloves are on and we’re ready, Connor has us all stand in the line. He positions Kelsey directly across from him and motions for Charlee to stand next to her with a few inches of distance between them.

Dalian stands off to my right, ready to assist my brother as needed. He’s wearing loose shorts and a black tank top that reveals the tattoos covering his arms and gives a peek at the rose over his heart. His tan skin is covered in sweat from going several rounds with Connor. When he catches me looking his way, he dips his head in greeting.

“Que bolá, pequeña?”

“Hey, Dal. It’s going. What’s new with you?” I smile, missing our conversations that are always in Spanglish.

“Busy training for my next match.” His accent isn’t as thick as it used to be, but it’s still heavy enough to hear in his words. “No sickness today?”

“You heard about that?” Of course, my brothers would run their big mouths to everyone.

His lips twitch as he fights off a smile. “The twins told me.” Dalian laughs, causing his black eyes to light up. “Though, I am sorry I missed watching you lose it ontu hermano.”

I roll my eyes at that but let out a small laugh. He’s practically family to us, making him just as obnoxious as my brothers.

Whistling from off to the side snags our attention. I glance over to find the twins have now occupied the chairs we were sitting in and are now watching every second. Keegan has a bag of popcorn and is shoveling it in his mouth by the handfuls. Teegan has Lily in his lap and gently bounces her as she gnaws on her tiny fist. Her green eyes are focused on where Charlee is standing. It looks like this is going to become a family show.

I shrug it off and focus back on what Connor is doing. He’s instructing Kelsey on her stance. She puts her right foot forward, raises her arms until they are level with her chest, and presses her shoulders down. Her face is blank as she takes in everything he tells her. She’s all into this.

Connor takes one look at her stance, and I know what he’s going to do the second he lifts his hand. “Are you right or left-handed?”

Kelsey clears her throat before answering him. “Right.”

“Then switch your feet and put your left one in front and the other behind you.” He taps her thigh to emphasize his point, but he’s not done assessing her form. “Always protect your face.” He taps at her fist, showing her why. That’s one thing about Connor. He takes self-defense seriously and won’t hold back just because we’re girls. It’s something I’ve always respected about my brother.

Charlee mimics Kelsey’s stance, minus the weak form. Her thumbs rest on the outside of her fists, and Connor gives her a nod of approval. Asher has at least shown her how to do that much.

Connor motions Dalian forward until he’s standing in front of me. “Show them how to throw a proper punch, Ken.”

Dalian gets into his fighting stance and waits for me to do the same. “Hands up,pequeña. Remember, I want to haveniñossomeday.” He winks as his lips spread into a wide grin.

“Sure thing,” I tease as I plant my left foot in front of me and slightly bend my knees to ensure my weight is evenly balanced. My hands come up to protect my face as I watch Dalian and make sure he’s ready for me. I pivot on my back foot and turn my knee inward as I strike out with my right hand. It’s a clean punch, but Dalian is ready for me. He manages to bob out of the way before I can make contact.

“Good job, Ken.” A huge smile appears on Connor’s face as he nods his head at me.

“Told you I still got it.” I feel pretty good, but then a loud voice booms across the gym, and everything inside me freezes.

“What the fuck is going on here?”

CHAPTERTEN

Zane

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