Page 41 of Vicious Addictions

It’s with the sound of her heartbeat that I fall asleep.

And instead of blood and death, I dream of her.

I dream of Mina.

Chapter 6

Mina

Seventeen years old

Sweat drips down my temple as I slam my fist into Rolo’s gut, again and again, with all my might.

“You gotta do better than that,” he taunts, laughing as if it were a damn game to him.

“Again,” Remus barks from behind me. “Take that smirk off Rolo’s face and knock him to the ground.”

“Don’t you think I’m trying?” I blurt out, throwing punch after punch on Rolo’s midriff.

“Ooooh, that tickles,” Rolo continues to goad.

“I’m getting really tired of your witty remarks, Rolo,” I grumble in annoyance.

“Then do something about it!” Remus chimes in, pissed. “And for God’s sake, don’t be afraid to use your goddamn feet!”

“Hey, no helping!” Rolo protests.

Having nothing to lose, I take my cousin’s advice and snap my leg up to drive my foot straight into Rolo’s chest.

“Humph,” he grunts, staggering back a step.

I breathe heavily, bending down with my hands resting on my thighs as I take a moment to catch my breath. Rolo seems to appreciate the breather, but Remus isn’t having it.

“The fuck do you think you’re doing?” he snaps.

“What does it look like?” I glare at him, wiping sweat from my brow. “I’m giving Rolo a minute.”

Rolo stands in front of me, breathing heavy, looking finally winded. Pride swells in my chest that I’m the one who got him that way, but Remus’s harsh voice suddenly interrupts my fleeting moment of satisfaction.

“Oh, yeah? You think your enemies will give you a time-out?” His tone is razor-sharp. “Cause they bloody won’t. Now hit the fucker.”

“Next time, you’re the punching bag,” Rolo mutters, looking less than amused now.

“Fucking grow a pair and attack her already!” Remus yells at his twin.

Rolo cracks his knuckles and grins at me, all teeth and menace. “Sorry, cousin. Looks like I’ll have to take off the kiddie gloves.”

Shit.

If this was him going easy on me, I’m in trouble now.

Rolo lunges at me so fast that I barely dodge him in time.

“Good!” Remus shouts. “Make him work for it!”

Rolo snarls and swings again, but this time, I don’t just leap back—I strike. My foot whips into his side, the impact sending him stumbling.

“Argh!” He grips his ribs, scowling. “Her kicks sting like a motherfucker.”

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