Page 55 of Thawed Gladiator: Cassius

The driver spits a stream of dark liquid on the ground, causing the taste of bile to rise halfway up my throat. “Respect? Forwhat?”

I continue in Latin, Diana translating phrase by phrase. “I was born two thousand years ago, in a world that valued strength above all else. We thought we knew everything about how people should be, should live, should act. We were wrong about many things.”

His eyes widen as Diana’s translation helps him realize exactly who and what I am. Good.

“This child has more strength than any gladiator I ever faced in the arena,” I say, gesturing toward Alex, who watches with wide eyes. “They face a battle every day, fighting not with swords but with the simple courage to be who they are.”

The driver’s face reddens as Diana relays my words. He starts to speak, but I hold up my hand, continuing in Latin.

“You have a choice now. You can be the man who made a child cry today, who added his voice to those who would deny them dignity. Or you can be better. Can learn. Can grow.” I pause, letting Diana catch up. “Which man do you want to be?”

He shifts uncomfortably, glancing around at the gathering audience. Thrax and the others have formed a loose semicircle, their presence a silent reminder that this is a place of acceptance.

“Just tell me where to put the hay,” he mutters.

“Diana, tell him he can put it in the hayloft,” I say, “afterhe apologizes to Alex.”

When Diana translates this, the driver balks. “Now wait a minute—”

“Tell him,” I interrupt firmly, letting Diana translate, “the apology, or he can take his delivery elsewhere. And his employermight be interested to hear why we no longer wish to do business with his company.”

For a moment, I think he’ll refuse. Then his shoulders sag. He turns toward Alex, who still sits atop Buddy, their shoulders no longer slumped.

“I’m… sorry,” he manages.

It’s not much, but it’s a start. I nod toward the loft, and he hurries back to his truck, eager to escape the tension.

When he’s behind the barn, out of sight, I approach Buddy slowly, careful to maintain a respectful distance from Alex. “Are you alright?”

They nod, wiping their eyes. “That was… thank you.”

“No thanks needed,” I reply through our translators. “We look after our own here at Second Chance.”

Diana’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see something there—pride? Approval? Whatever it is makes my heart soar. But I maintain my professional distance, simply nodding before striding toward the dining hall to grab some snacks. Alex earned them.

As I pass my fellow gladiators, Thrax claps me on the shoulder. “Well handled, brother.”

“Indeed,” Quintus adds. “You’ve learned well.”

Their words warm me, but it’s the small smile Alex gives me later, as they lead Buddy back to his stall, that truly tells me I chose the right path. Violence might win battles, but understanding wins hearts.

I am not the man I was, either in Rome or in my early days here. I’m becoming someone new—someone better. Someone worthy of the second chance I’ve been given.

Chapter Forty-Five

Diana

The first real snow of winter swirls outside my office window. A black nose pressed against the glass makes me jump. Dominus, apparently seeking shelter from the weather, has managed to climb onto a hay bale under the window. The little goat’s beard is frosted with snow, and he gives me his most pitiful expression until I let him in. He immediately headbutts my leg in thanks before settling near the heater, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

I settle into my chair, watching Cassius work with Jason and Bailey in the arena. Our program is going so well that, in addition to four more horses, Laura approved a cover for the corral. It was finished just in time before the flakes began to fall.

Sulla catches my eye as he stomps to the west, wearing boots and a jacket. He asked for a small house so he could move out of the barracks, but instead of being in the cluster near mine, he asked for his to be built on the far west edge of the property, away from all of us.

This not only suits him, but the rest of the group. When construction is completed, his cabin will be isolated and cold, like the man himself.

My attention returns to Cassius as he demonstrates a new groundwork technique. His patience with the teens never ceases to amaze me. Gone is the arrogant patrician who once sneered at others’ mistakes. In his place stands a man who understands that true strength lies in gentleness.

“Like this?” Jason asks, attempting to mirror Cassius’s movements with the lead rope.

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