Page 31 of Bad for You

His body is that of a fighter—lean and muscled.

That, coupled with a face carved by the devil himself and not many can withstand the charms of Lennon Shepherd.

And boy, does he know it.

“Messa a fuoco!”Franklin yells and takes advantage of my daydreaming as he rams the butt of the sword into my stomach, winding me.

“Motherfucker,” I curse under my breath, directing my curse at Lenny, who pulls a sarcastic pained face before walking inside.

“You know better,bambina.”

Franklin has been a father figure to me, which is the only reason I allow his term of endearment. If anyone else were to call me this, I would cut out their tongue.

“I hate him.”

“Good, use that anger in how you know.”

He’s right.

Picking up my sword, I circle Franklin, and all is right in the world once again.

I may be a skilled fighter, but matters of the heart? Gianna has failed to teach me how to fight that battle and win.

Franklin and I train until my body aches and sweat coats every inch of my flesh. But the pain makes me feel alive.

Just as I trip him and place the tip of my blade to the hollow of his throat, Gianna appears. Like always, I didn’t hear her approach, another thing she taught me.

Light on my feet, but heavy as I swing my blade.

“Very good,piccola, but watch your footing.”

Before I can argue that nothing is wrong with my footing, she bends low and sweeps her leg out, tripping me over. I land near Franklin on the grass. I don’t bother getting up.

Her face appears above me, smiling in victory.

She’s just as striking as she was the first moment we met. And just as deadly.

During my years here, I’ve learned very little about her. She holds her cards close to her chest. I never pushed because I learned early on that Gianna doesn’t do emotion.

Her face is beautiful, but it’s a mask because beneath that facade lays such malice. She is unfeeling. And I fear I am now too.

She has educated me, and thanks to her, I’m a good pupil in both education and martial arts.

But I am still very much a naive girl for everything in between.

I think back to the kind man, Aldo. All those years ago, he was the one who was supposed to be my savior, but Gianna took me instead.

I wonder what happened to him.

From being unwanted since I was born to having two people want me; something is not right. But I cannot ask Gianna. I wouldn’t get an answer, so I don’t waste my breath. But I can’t help but wonder why she adopted me instead.

“Get up. We’re going out,” she says, offering me her hand.

I know better than to accept.

I stand of my own accord, dusting myself off.

Another rule of Gianna’s—cleanliness is next to godliness.

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