Page 53 of Sexted By a Stranger
"Luca," Leon's childish voice broke the peaceful silence. He set down his fork, eyes bright as he looked at me. "Professor Smith says he's teaching me perspective basics today. Do you think I can paint that oak grove behind the estate? The way the morning light filters through the leaves is absolutely beautiful."
"Of course you can." I smiled at him. "What your eyes capture is the best subject there is."
Sheila set down her milk glass, her gaze settling on her brother as her lips curved into a gentle smile. This brief tranquility was precious, but it also made me acutely aware of the fangs lurking in the shadows.
Connor knew damn well that Sheila was my weakness. What about next time? I couldn't keep her locked away in this fortress of an estate forever.
She had to learn to protect herself. She had to have power.
"Sheila," I set down my coffee cup. Aria and Leon both looked over, and Sheila raised her eyes, amber irises holding a question.
"There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Okay."
I took her hand and led her toward the garden.
"Sheila," I deliberately sharpened my tone, "there are things you need to learn-skills that could save your life someday. Maybe even end someone else's."
"End someone's?" she repeated, her brow furrowing slightly. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, but no panic or resistance.
"Why?" She was direct. "Between Lennox's team and the estate security—"
"They can't shadow you like ghosts," I cut her off. "Last time was a street ambush. What about next time? If they pull you into some back alley? Lock you in a basement? You need to be ready for worst-case scenarios."
Sheila fell silent, but far from avoiding my gaze, she stared at me with growing intensity.
"Luca, your wound—"
"It's been two weeks. You don't need to worry."
"Alright," she said without hesitation. "I'll learn."
"Good." I stood up. "Ten minutes. Training room in the basement."
The training room was vast and cold, overhead lights illuminating thick black mats in the center. Sheila had changed into gray athletic wear, her hair pinned up high. She stood at theedge of the mat, tilting her head back slightly as she took in this space that was completely foreign to her.
I walked to face her. From this moment on, I was her instructor.
"Listen well," I said, my voice stripped of warmth. "The core principle is this: neutralize your enemy's capacity to act—swiftly and ruthlessly."
Her pupils snapped wider, but her spine locked straighter.
"The human body's vulnerabilities are your arsenal." My words fell like hammer strikes.
"Eyes. Throat. Temples. Groin—strike any with precision, and you cripple them instantly." A beat of silence thickened the air. "Or end them permanently.".
"Theory ends here." I stepped back, pointing to the human-shaped dummy nearby. "Now, find the weak points I just mentioned. Mark them."
Sheila took a deep breath and walked toward the target. She circled it once, then extended her hand. Each time she touched a spot, she paused, as if carving coordinates into her memory.
"Got the locations memorized?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Good." I moved behind her.
I extended my arms, wrapping them around her from behind, my chest pressing against her slender back. Through the thin athletic wear, I could clearly feel her tense muscle lines and accelerated heartbeat.
