Page 113 of Doomed
BIANCA
Iduck under Helen’s swing, pivoting on my heel to deliver a sharp elbow to her ribs—pulling the impact at the last second. She grins in approval, her lean frame barely flinching.
“Good! Your reactions are getting faster.” Helen circles me, her eyes calculating. “Now, what if someone grabs you from behind?”
Before I can answer, she’s behind me, arms wrapped around my torso. I don’t hesitate. Drop my weight, twist, using her momentum against her. The move sends Helen stumbling forward as I break free.
“Perfect execution,” she praises, straightening her tank top. “Knox, your girl’s a natural.”
From his position against the bar, Knox watches with undisguised pride. Purgatory feels different in daylight—less sinister, more like an empty theater waiting for its performers. For three weeks now, it’s been our training ground.
“Again,” I demand, wiping sweat from my forehead. “This time with the knife defense.”
Helen pulls a rubber training knife from her pocket. “Remember?—”
“Distance is my friend. Control the weapon, not the person,” I recite, settling into a ready stance.
She lunges. I sidestep, catch her wrist, twist until the knife clatters to the floor. What happens next surprises even me—I follow through with a sweep that sends Helen sprawling onto her back.
“Holy shit,” she laughs from the floor. “Where did that come from?”
I extend my hand to help her up, feeling a rush of satisfaction. “Guess I’ve been paying attention.”
Knox approaches, handing me a bottle of water. “You’re fucking incredible,” he murmurs.
What strikes me most isn’t his pride—it’s that he’s never once tried to teach me himself. He found Helen, the best instructor in Ravenwood Hollow, because he wanted me to learn properly. Not to impress him. Not to ease his worries. But for me.
“Same time Thursday?” Helen asks, gathering her gear.
I nod, catching my breath. After she leaves, Knox wraps his arms around my waist.
“Feel stronger?” he asks against my hair.
“I do.” I turn in his embrace. “Thank you for this. For not trying to lock me away after what happened.”
His fingers trace my jawline. “Your freedom, your strength—they’re what make you you. I’d never take that away.”
I notice Knox’s eyes darkening as he watches me, his gaze trailing over my sweat-glistened skin.
“What?” I ask, tilting my head.
“You have no idea how fucking hot that was,” he growls, his hand sliding down to grip my hip. “Watching you take Helen down like that.”
I feel the hardness of him pressing against me through his jeans. “You like that I can fight back now?”
“I’ve always liked your fire,” he says, voice rough. “But seeing it in action...”
His mouth crashes down on mine, hungry and demanding. I match his intensity, adrenaline flooding my veins from training. When we break apart, he takes my hand and pulls me toward the back hallway.
“Your office?” I question, breathless.
“Can’t wait any longer,” is all he says.
The moment his office door closes behind us, Knox spins me around, pressing me against the wall. His hands are everywhere—sliding under my tank top, gripping my thighs, tangling in my hair.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he murmurs against my neck. “How seeing you fight makes me want to claim you right there in front of Helen?”
My response is cut off as he lifts me, carrying me to his desk in three long strides. With one sweep of his arm, he clears the surface, papers fluttering to the floor.
