My opponent comes at me again. This time, I'm ready. He kicks out, and I spin and miss the kick but am ready with my own. He obviously isn't aware I also study other forms of self-defense. The karate roundhouse hits the guy on the side of his headgear. He shakes it off and rushes at me again. I'm able to keep him from picking me up with a shin kick and punch I angle up into his diaphragm. I grab his head and bring his headgear and face to my knee. He swings and hits me on my side, and my breath rushes from my body. I fall on my hands and knees. He leans down, bent over my back, trying to trap me to the mat.
"Girly, I have a message for you. Stop your investigation orAnabel will be hurt. Also, don't go back to Duncan unless you want him to die too." I see red.
I spin explosively to my right, throwing my elbow back as I spin, hitting him in the stomach. I then proceed to land several punches on his back and kidneys. He falls face forward to the mat. I drop onto his back, but he rolls, throwing me off him. I roll to my back and grab his arm as I put my feet over his body. I use the leverage that Derek and Greg taught me. I feel him start to fight me as I pull the armbar tighter. I keep pulling until he yells that he gives. I let go of him and roll to the side. He rises up above me and I see his intent. I roll away from him and push up. He comes at me again, his arm dangling uselessly. I kick out, knocking his legs from under him, and wrap my forearm around his neck, using my other arm for leverage. I hold him in the chokehold for the required time until he loses consciousness. I spit my mouth guard to the side of my mask. I'm yelling at him the whole time. I know he can't answer me, but I'm so angry. They threatened Ana and Duncan.
"Who the hell are you, asshole? How do you know Ana and Duncan?"
I dive for my bag, where I have a pair of cuffs for training. I cuff him and rip off my headgear.
"Are you okay?" I say to Vic after I spit out my mouth guard completely.
"Good. You?"
"Who the fuck is this asshole?"
"I don't know. Police are on the way."
"Hey, doc, want to check him before the ambulance arrives? Make sure I didn't kill him." I turn to the doctor. She bends down and checks his pulse.
"He'll live. Have a headache and he needs his shoulder relocated." She smiles at me.
The police arrive and take the guy away. I answer their questions as best as I can. My body hurts everywhere from the few hits I took. The doc checks me and says I am just bruised up.
I head home with new thoughts in my head. Something is up with Ana. Why did he threaten Duncan? I left Duncan and he's still in danger. I send a quick text to Joshua and let him know about the threats. He doesn't respond back, which I expect.
I'm walking up to my door when I notice it.
Stabbed into the door with my other missing tactical knife is a note.
Maya,
He thought he would warn you. I've killed for you once, injured another, you will be mine soon. How'd you like my friend? Hope you're not too bruised. I'm coming for you.
Your true lover
I step back from the door, knowing that my world is about to blow up in my face. I dial Greg.
"Hello, darling. I didn't expect to hear from you tonight."
"I've had a visitor at my condo."
"I'll call SSA Jones. I'm on my way."
"Call IAD Officer Olsen for me too please."
"Why?"
"My stalker killed Yancy."
"Shit. On my way."
I'm waiting outside my condo for backup to arrive when mycell phone starts ringing. I don't recognize the number but answer it anyway.
"Sweetheart, we need to talk."
"Uncle David?"
"I wasn't shot because of what I was doing. I was shot because of something you're involved in. Want to tell me?"
