The urge to kiss him is almost overwhelming. It’s so bad that my eyes fall without permission, settling on his lips. I get lost there for a second, watching his mouth, but then Jasper clears his throat, and I quickly drop my hands and step away.
“The first thing you need to know is simple.” Jasper pauses, looking between Luca and Arlo. “It’s awareness. A lot can be prevented just by being aware of your surroundings. Today, I’m gonna go over a couple of small things with you. Nothing too in-depth yet, but if you guys want more training, we can definitely build up to that.
“Now, the first thing is your voice. You can deter a lot of people by getting loud when they’re too close to your space.”
I nod along.
“Luca, come stand here.” Jasper gestures to a spot in the middle of the mat.
Luca steps forward, eyes still wary. “Here?”
“Perfect. I’m gonna have Arlo walk toward you.” He crooks a finger at Arlo, beckoning him closer. “When Arlo gets to a point that he’s making you uncomfortable with his proximity, I want you to tell me.”
With a resolute nod from Luca, Arlo starts inching across the mat, getting closer to Luca’s back with each step. When he’s about four feet away, Luca says, “Now.”
Jasper holds a hand up, halting Arlo’s movements.
“Great. So now, get loud. Let him know you see him. Turn around and look him dead in the eyes and tell him to back up.”
When Luca turns around, he swallows hard, then lifts his gaze to Arlo’s. “Back up.”
The attempt is weak at best, and I’ve heard him be louder watching TV in the living room.
“This is a potential attacker, Luca,” Jasper says gently. “Be loud. Take up space.”
Luca blows out a breath. “Back up!”
“Good, there you go.” I smile at him when he looks my way.
I watch in silence as Jasper tells them to practice back and forth, having them turn on each other on approach and yell to back up. It’s serious for a second, but it doesn’t take long for them to dissolve into laughter.
I’m glad they’re having fun. Sure, this is important, but really, it’s a formality. A way for Luca to take back some power because it’ll be a cold fucking day in hell before I let anyone hurt him again.
Jasper rolls his eyes, shooting me a glance. “Okay. Let’s move on. Luca, go stand by Austin.”
My heart races as a flushed and slightly sweaty Luca stands in front of me. I barely notice Jasper stepping in front of Arlo because all I can seem to focus on is Luca.
“Next up, we’re gonna practice getting out of a hold if someone is gripping your arm. Austin, grab Luca’s arm.”
I wrap my hand around Luca’s wrist, my grip somewhat loose so I don’t hurt him.
“I think you’re gonna have to do it tighter than that,” Luca says, eyes sparkling with mirth.
Shaking my head with a slight laugh, I tighten my hold on him.
“The place where the fingers and thumb meet is the weakest partof the grip, so what I want you to do is focus your efforts on pushing toward that point with your arm. Use your body too if you have to. Twist to give yourself more leverage.”
Luca smiles up at me, and I’m so entranced by the sight of it that I barely even notice when he turns quickly, jerking his arm away from me.
“Good, Luca,” Jasper says. “Try it again.”
We repeat the move over and over until, no matter how hard I’m gripping Luca’s arm, he’s breaking away from me each and every time.
He’s getting red marks on his wrist from my grip, and his chest is heaving with each breath he pulls into his lungs, and I’m not sure I’m doing any better, even though I’m not physically exerting myself.
“I think that’s enough for now,” Jasper says, breaking the silent stare-off Luca and I are engaged in.
Luca drags his eyes away. “Wait.” He turns, facing Jasper. “What if you’re being choked? This is fine. Great, even. But what if—” He cuts himself off with a hard swallow that I can hear from behind him. “What if you’re being choked? How do you get away then?”
