Page 42 of Vicious Addictions

Good to know.

I double down, using my legs to my advantage, kicking him every chance I get. He tries to grab me, but I slip past his grip and throw another blow, landing even harder than before. Every muscle in my body screams, but I don’t stop. I can’t.

“Harder!” Remus pushes. “Faster!”

I don’t hold back. I put all my strength into each strike, Rolo’s smug grin no longer in sight.

“Enough,” Remus finally calls it. “You did good today,” he says after tossing me a bottle of electrolytes.

His voice carries something I’m not accustomed to hearing from him. It oddly sounds a lot like approval.

“Remus is right. You’re getting better. That last kick really fucked me up. I think you might have broken a rib or something.” Rolo smirks lazily as if proud of the injury I caused.

And in a way, I am.

Rolo is twice my size and just as strong.

If I was able to do any bodily harm to him, I’m calling it a win.

“I hope you’re right. I only have a few more months before—”

“You’ll be ready before then,” Remus affirms. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“We both will,” Rolo adds, hugging his bruised midriff.

I give them both a thankful smile, knowing I couldn’t have accomplished half of what I just did in the ring without their help.

I’ve relentlessly trained with the twins every chance I got for the past year, still finding time to shadow my father during deals, learning the intricacies of the business inside and out.

And I’ve done all that, without anyone being none the wiser.

I’m confident that I’ll be fully prepared by the time my eighteenth birthday arrives.

But being ready doesn’t mean being accepted.

I know that I’ll only get one shot to prove my worth.

To prove that a Crane belongs at the helm of The Firm—now and always.

“Stop thinking about it,” Remus says, reading my thoughts. “We still have four months. More than enough.”

I give him a small smile, praying that he’s right.

“Now, grab a knife. We’re not done with you yet.”

Two grueling hours later, I collapse face-down on my bed, sore yet satisfied. Today’s training session went better than expected. If I keep up this pace, I’ll be unstoppable when the time comes.

After a session with the twins, I’d usually spend the rest of the day sprawled out with ice packs on my aching limbs and muscles, mindlessly watching TV.

But not today.

Jude is home today.

Leaving him earlier had been the last thing I wanted to do, but there was no way I could tell the twins I was skipping training just to be with Jude.

Remus already distrusts Jude.

And Rolo… well, who the hell knows what’s going on in that thick head of his?

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