“I—”
The air rushed out of his lungs, and he wheezed. He bent over, gasping for breath. The little beast had struck him in the gut.
She angled her body, so they were nose to nose. “Never let your guard down.”
“You are wicked,” he rasped.
“Be grateful I didn’t demonstrate lesson four.”
He grimaced. “What is it? Kick your opponent’s puppy?”
“Close,” she said in all seriousness. “The fourth lesson is to do whatever it takes to survive. Bite, pull hair, hit their nether regions. Fighting dirty is sometimes the only way to win.” She patted his back. “You did well for your first training.”
Slowly, he straightened, rubbing his throbbing temple. “Did I?”
Carolina raised her fist as if she were going to punch him again. He blocked his body, shielding himself from her abuse.
She beamed. “See. You do learn fast. Or perhaps I am a great teacher?”
“Your humility knows no bounds.”
“I agree.” Carolina winked. “One last lesson.”
He frowned.
“I will not hurt you. I promise.”
Silently, she stepped to him and took his hand. Her calluses scraped against his skin as she closed his fingers into a fist. She tucked his thumb just under his knuckles. A shudder ran through him at the sudden intimacy of the gesture.
“When you throw a punch, lead with these two knuckles.”She brushed the pad of her thumb over his pointer and middle finger. Chills exploded over Lalo’s skin. “Rotate your hand inward and make sure to keep your wrist perfectly straight.”
She eased his arm up and demonstrated what she meant. Her hands slid over his bare skin until his form was just right. He could only pray she didn’t notice the goose bumps there.
He tilted his chin to catch a glimpse of her face. He wished he hadn’t because their gazes met, and his stomach did that dreadful flip he found so unpleasant.
“I think I’ve got it,” he whispered.
She stepped away. “Good,” she said. “Very good. Let’s get you dressed.”
CHAPTER 16
Carolina
Carolina swept to her abuelo’sarmoire and thrust open the doors. His scent still lingered within. Leather, tobacco, and mint. She breathed in deeply. She’d come up here every day since he was slain just to feel like he was nearby. That was how she’d found the beautiful dagger with the ruby hilt she used to threaten Lalo with. The piece had been stashed away at the very rear of the dresser, hidden behind layers of dusty cloth.
She reached for a shirt and breeches, flinging them at Lalo. “Put these on.”
He blinked at her, holding her abuelo’s large clothes against his thin frame. “These won’t fit me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll fetch the tailor. While I’m at it, I should grab the barber as well. You need a trim off the top.”
Lalo’s lips flattened. “Since we are working together, you mightwant to reel in that attitude of yours. Starry-eyed lovers are supposed to bat their lashes at each other and call each other cariño.”
“Did you read that somewhere?”
“Well…yes.”
She scoffed. “We will worry about terms of endearment and my attitude later. We need to get you out of here. I think we’ve pushed our chances for long enough.”
