Page 36 of Eight Years (The Trident Trilogy 1)

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. And, maybe some really baggy sweatpants.”

“Men are pigs.”

“Yes. Yes we are, and the sooner you realize that the better off you’re going to be.”

“Can I work out in this gym or should I just hang it up for the day?” I sigh a little too dramatically. This is just adding fuel to an already frustrating day.

“You can work out here. What do you want to do?”

I look around for a bag. There isn’t one. Just mainly weights. Big weights. Like The Rock-sized weights.

“I was working out with the bag in the other gym. Maybe I’ll just go for a run.”

“I’ll work you out. I can be your bag,” he says.

“You can be my bag?”

“Yeah. Kick me, punch me, do whatever. I know from the other night that you have a little self-defense training.”

“Yeah, a little.” Okay, I’m being humble. I have a lot of self-defense training. From what my dad taught me and the agency perfected, I’m fairly lethal for my size. But, it’s been a while since I used any of it, so better safe than sorry.

“Okay, let’s spar,” he says, like that’s the most normal suggestion in the world.

“Seriously? You outweigh me by like fifty pounds.” Not to mention he’s a highly trained, elite fighting machine.

“Yeah, probably more than fifty, but I’ll take it easy on you. Let’s go.” He moves over to an open area and spreads his arms wide like he’s challenging me to a wrestling match. Well, this isn’t going to go well for me at all, but what the hell.

I throw a few kicks and punches his way, which he blocks easily. He reaches for my arm in slow motion, trying to give me time to react. It’s super condescending. I hit his arm away and jump back into a defensive mode. He smiles and lunges at me faster, grabbing at my shoulders. I throw a punch to his face, which he easily blocks as he spins me around into a bear hug. I elbow him sharply in the gut and stomp down on his foot with my heel.

“Ugh,” he grunts, and instinctively loosens his grip. It gives me a chance to escape. I’m thinking about what Dad always told me to do at this point, but running away doesn’t make sense right now.

Mason comes at me swiftly. I manage to dodge him once, and to land a hard kick in his stomach, but he barely reacts. In a second, he has me from behind, one arm around my neck in a choke-hold, the other around my waist pinning me to him. His left leg wraps around both my legs, completely immobilizing me. He kicks his left leg up a bit, lifting my feet off the ground. I’m hanging there like a helpless sack of flour. I struggle in vain a couple times, trying to loosen his grip. It doesn’t work at all.

“Oh, okay. I give. I give,” I say, frustrated.

He gently places me back on my feet and lets me go. “You move really well,” he says. “Your best bet is to get away from your attacker as soon as possible, though.”

I take a sharp breath in when I hear my dad’s words coming out of his mouth. My head starts spinning.

“I think I’m done for the day,” I say abruptly as I head for the door.

“Wait, Mills.” He comes after me and grabs my arm. “Did I hurt you?”

And now, he’s using my dad’s nickname for me. It’s all too much. It’s too familiar.

“No, no, not at all. I’m good. I’m just worn out,” I say, looking down.

“Okay,” he says hesitantly as he slowly releases my arm.

I practically run out of the gym and back to my office. My head is quickly filling up with thoughts of my dad, and all of my usual blocking techniques are failing. I just need to get away from the base. I grab my computer and head out. When I get to the parking lot, Mason’s leaning against my car. Damn, this guy never stops. I mean, I guess it’s part of his job description, but it doesn’t translate well to personal life or to my personal life, anyway. It’s starting to piss me off.

“Mason, I’m fine,” I say as I click the car doors open. He slides in front of my door.

“It had something to do with your dad. Tell me what it is or I’m not letting you leave.”

“Mason, get out of the way. Seriously, stop.” I try to open the door, but his body is blocking it.

“No. I’m not moving until you tell me.”

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