"I could kill you."
"I'm game. You let me wail on you once. Time to return the favor, this is what being a mate means."
We gear up and then step into the ring where I proceed to hand him his arse. Timothy walks in, geared up, and steps in the ring next; I take him out. When Raul walks in, I know I'm going to hurt.
"Okay, mate, let's do this." He knows Krav Maga too.
"She knows Krav Maga, I can't fight you." The memories rush back of watching her defend herself at my flat.
"Yes, you can, pansy wanker. Nut up and try to beat me." He's pushing my buttons.
"I'm going to kick your Spanish ass, wanker."
"Name calling is beneath you, wanker."
I lunge for him but after Timothy and Ian, I'm worn out. He deflects and takes me down with multiple double-fisted punches to my diaphragm. I'm lying on the mat, wishing for death.
"Do you cede?"
"Never." I huff in pain.
"Then get up and fight me." He taunts me again.
"I cede to you, but I'll never give up when it comes to her." They all sigh heavily.
"That's what we thought. Now, give her space and let her come back to you," Joshua says from the door. He watched the whole time.
"Okay, what now?" I roll and look at him.
"Let her figure it out. When she realizes that the threats will continue even with you out of the picture, she'll come back."
"I actually think she will. She’s lost weight already, and no one will spar with her anymore," Timothy says.
"She's lost weight? I need to go to her."
"No, Duncan, she needs to figure it out. Give her time. We need to figure out who's threatening her."
"I don't know if I can wait much longer."
"I sent the cleaning service back to your flat, they're cleaning everything. The dresses are being moved to your father's house. We're removing her from your life for a while. It needs to look like you gave up on her."
"I need her. If you touch that angel, I'll beat you, Bossman."
"She doesn't want you right now and it needs to look like you're over her. I have it in my office, you can have it back later."
"All she needs to do is say it and I'll go to her. I'll give it all up."
"Yes, but until she figures it out, you can't force it. Ask Ian."
We head to the pub after we all shower. I'm ready to do what it takes to get my girl back. If it means I give her space, I will, but only for a little while. I wish she'd text me or call.
It’s beenover a month since she left me. Joshua has put me on Maya’s and Ana's details. I mostly spend my time in the tech room listening to phone taps we've set up on both of them. I'm listening in on conversations when her cell phone rings. It's a standard ringtone, so I know it isn't a friend or her work. Who's calling my woman? She answers, her voice is soft and sounds tired.
"Hello."
"Maya, darling, can I take you out tonight?" Lawrence's voice comes across the line.
"I already told you, Lawrence, I'm not interested. How did you call me, I blocked your number? Don't call me again." I hear the fire in her voice.
