Page 18 of These Jagged Edges

EVIE

These past couple of months,Maddox and I haven’t had much physical contact other than him adjusting my hands or arms when throwing a punch because that's the most critical part, ‘throwing a decent fucking punch.’

I swear if he says it one more time, I’m going to punch his handsome ass.

That moment from a couple of months ago still lingers in my mind. I had woken up, shaken by the nightmare that Trent had found us, and I wasn’t strong enough to protect my boys. He had easily overpowered me, laughing and taunting me then I woke up drenched in sweat. Desperation drove me, pushing myself harder than ever.

Then there was his gaze, heavy with something I couldn’t name, as I briefly reached for his hand. That touch—it wasn’t the same trust I’d given him when he was teaching me self-defense. This felt deeper, more intimate. A trust I never thought I’d give another man, not after everything I’ve been through.

Maddox is careful to make sure I’m comfortable before we takeany steps forward, and with that, I’ve started to feel more confident. It’s like I’m finally reclaiming parts of myself. I walk with my head held high, no longer flinching at every sudden noise. Even the nightmares have become less frequent. Sure, I still check the locks three times and keep my guard up, but something’s shifted—I’m finally starting to feel strong enough.

Working with Maddox is tough because he demands perfection. There are times when I feel like running away, but I remind myself why I’m here: to protect my two precious boys. Mercy assures me that Maddox treats everyone this way and is even harder on himself. Who would have thought? I also met Lucien; the other guy who helps run The Boxing Den.

Lucien is training with Maddox for some upcoming fight he has. The first night I met him, he thanked me for a good ten minutes for giving him a break from Sadistic fucking Sally, as he calls Maddox. Lucien moves with the quiet confidence of a cruiserweight boxer, all controlled power and precision. His thick black hair is cropped close to his head, drawing attention to the sharp angles of his jaw and the intensity in his caramel-colored eyes—warm, yet calculating, like he’s already figured me out. And then there’s his smile, slow and undeniably seductive, the kind that feels like both a challenge and a promise. He’s the first person I run into when I step into the gym, and by the look on his face he’s more than happy to see me.

"Hey, mama."

"Hey, Lucien," I call out as I step through the door leading back into the gym.

"Have I told you how much I love seeing you?"

“He in that kind of mood today?"

Lucien’s face resembles a fish out of water. "Trust me, training with him makes me wish I'd never wandered out of my pops ball sack somedays."

A laugh breaks free from my lips.

"I’m not joking!”

“You big cry baby!”

“You just keep him bewitched, mama. He’s been much more tolerable these past few months with you around.”

Before I can argue that point a throat clears, and I look up to see Maddox glaring daggers at the two of us as he towers behind Lucien. He turns abruptly and walks away without saying a word.

"Oh, yeah completely under my spell let me tell ya.” I give Lucien a look that says you lost your damned mind. After a short sprint, I catch up with Maddox just before the door to the self-defense class shuts in my face.

"Hey, big guy," I say as cheerfully as possible. Maddox stands staring at me, not saying a word. His signature scowl and closed-off composure tell me he’s in a mood, so I choose not to engage further and put my purse down on the bench.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, I begin wringing my hands together and swaying back and forth. "Are we going to do this or what?"

Maddox pushes his glasses up on his nose, and damn I like it when he does that. "Would you rather Lucien teaches you this?"

“What? No, I want you.” Oh, my God. Ground swallow me now.

Maddox shifts on his feet, his gaze finding my face. "You seem comfortable with him," he says, his hard voice softening slightly. "Today we're going to start learning holds."

"I still don't understand," I tell him as I rub my left shoulder.

His gaze trails down my neck and lands on my shoulder. "I know you had a nasty break on that arm."

My hand instantly drops from my shoulder. "No, I haven't." The lie slips out before I can stop it.

Maddox's scowls at me. “Liar."

"I'm not talking about this while you're pretending to be angry at me." I take a deep breath.

I appreciate how Maddox treats me. It’s a refreshing change from everyone else who treats me with kid gloves, afraid I willbreak. But I still am not going to share my domestic violence like a damn grocery list with him every time he asks.

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