Page 24 of Sapphires and Snakes
“Let’s do a simple one-two-one.” I take up the stance and clap the pads together.
Zarina shoots me an unimpressed look. “Whatever.”
She attacks without warning, completely ignoring the combo. I dodge a right hook meant for my head and meet her gloved fists with the pads as best I can. I’m not warmed up, my muscles too tight and my body too slow. She lands a jab to my shoulder, and I stumble back.
“I said combos, not spar.” I keep the distance between us.
Zarina bats her eyelashes. “My bad.”
I shake my hands out and roll my shoulders back. “Wanna talk about it?”
“Rather fight about it.” She cracks her neck.
“Which asshole are you imagining me as?”
“Right now? You.”
“Me?” I frown.
“You with your stupid cautionary hands and your limited vocabulary. Spoke up all of what, once? Twice? Thanks for the support.” She lunges forward, jabbing for my face, and then for my kidneys. I block and dodge. “Fuckin’ useless fake fiancée,” she spits each word, scowl darkening to a glare. “Can’t even support your fake future wife.”
“Princess—”
“Don’t.” She aims a jab at my face, and I barely duck in time. “Don’t fucking call me that.”
I clamp my mouth shut and focus on not getting beaten to a pulp. Zarina growls, teeth bared, as she takes it all out on me. Her anger and her helplessness and her lack of control. I let her lay it on me, not worried about myself, my body.
Not when she’s taken the brunt of the beating already.
The Accardis’ attacks on my family and my territory don’t hold a candle to the ringer Zarina’s going through. Her parents betrayed her, went so far as to sell her out to the most monstrous man in the city. The same man who has attacked and bruised her—twice. The same man who attempted to kidnap and marry her to close a deal that will make him a king in Louredo.
And this morning was a rotten cherry atop that melted sundae.
I could hardly believe what I was hearing, the way Marcus and Alonso twisted and manipulated the video footage to justify themselves. It wasn’t a trial. There’s no jury of her peers or reigning judge. And while Jimmy let me know afterward that he didn’t believe their lies, it hardly matters. The damage is done.
“Spineless.” Zarina aims a jab at my face, but I lift my pad-covered palm just in time. “Coward.” Each insult accompanies a targeted attack I hurry to block. “Good for nothing.” She lands a kick to my ribs, and I stagger backward. “Fight back!”
I don’t.
Because I know this isn’t about me—not really. I might have been able to stand up more for her today, but it wouldn’t have changed anything. I know Zarina realizes that in her logical brain. But she’s not thinking with that part now. She’s in her body, reacting to feelings that have no basis in reason. All I can do is let her work them out however that manifests.
And right now, it means letting her beat me up.
I duck and dodge and block and use the pads to absorb the impact of her fists. She circles me, snarling and punching, yelling more heated insults. I don’t egg her on. I simply take it. Like she did this morning until she couldn’t anymore.
She slips inside my defenses and wraps an arm around my neck, yanking me down. I brace against her back and arm while her forearm presses against my windpipe. Her lips brush over my ear. “Stop being noble. Be the gangster you fucking are andfight me.”
“Zarina,” I warn.
“I’ve told you what I need.” She shoves me away and wipes sweat from her chin as I straighten.
My gaze slips from her sweaty brow to her heaving chest. “Are you sure?—”
“Fight or get the fuck out.”
I yank one pad off then the other. If she wants a fight with the gangster in me, I can give her that. Without grabbing gloves, I square up. She arches a brow without saying a word, and I smirk.
“Second thoughts?” I ask.
