Page 96 of Marks of Rebellion
"What did you do to her now?"
"Stay out of our business," I growl.
"Don't talk to Julieta like that," Ryker barks.
"Then she should back the fuck off," I yell.
He grabs my shoulder and spins me. Before I can duck, he lands a punch directly on my nose.
Blood spurts everywhere, and the animal in me awakens. I rush at him and bust his nose as well.
The women start screaming. Ryker and I take each other to the ground.
We're trained to kill. It's in our bones, and combat is something our employers have always conditioned our bodies to handle.
The fight is ugly. Knuckles and faces turn red. Any trick we know, we use. Headlocks. Elbow strikes. Stomps to multiple body parts. And kicks.
Ryker has me in a sleeper hold, and I fish hook his cheek when Tinker gets in the middle, trying to stop us. He takes a few blows but, somehow, manages to split us apart.
"What in God's name is wrong with you two?" Tinker barks.
"He started it," we both shout at the same time.
"You're grown men. Act like it. Look what you've done." He points to the women.
Vanessa has her arms around Julieta. They are both shaking, but Julieta is trembling harder and gasping for air.
"Julieta." Ryker steps toward her, and Julieta cowers against the wall.
"Stay away," Vanessa yells and pulls Julieta closer to her.
"Flower—"
"No!" She turns to Julieta. "Let's go." She leads her upstairs, and the click of the door echoes in my ears.
"What got into you?" Tinker seethes. Blood drips from his lip and cheek.
"Nothing," we both mutter in unison.
Tinker crosses his arms, his eyes in slits.
"Sorry," we both mumble.
"I don't think I'm the one you need to apologize to. Wash the blood off your faces." Shaking his head, he turns and leaves the room.
17
Vanessa
Julietaand I stay in the bedroom all night. Neither Ryker nor Hunter attempt to approach us.
It takes a while, but she finally stops shaking and says, "I'm sorry."
I stroke her hair. "Shh. It's okay. If anyone gets you, it's me."
She wipes under her eye. "I had flashbacks...it...it reminded me of Torres and his hosted fights."
"What are those?"
