Gemma sighed, handing her rifle to Christian for him to unload before making her way to the boxing ring.
Her knees weakened the closer she got. Growing up, she’d always assumed she’d take over the infirmary; she never intended to participate in the Trials. Then after Nadine’s murder, Gemma worked sixty hours in the mines every week, which left her physically exhausted and sore.
So, in her off hours, she’d spent more time devouring knowledge and preparing her mind, teaching herself things she never would’ve thought she’d need to know—like how to use a compass. She never once thought to gain experience in a boxing ring.
This was going to be humiliating.
Maybe itisgood you’re part of a team.
“I propose a tournament of sorts,” Hawk explained. “Why just practice when you can have fun doing it? You two want to start?” Hawk directed his question at Christian and Colton.
“And then what?” Colton drawled. “One of the girls fights me or Christian?”
“Who says I wouldn’t kick your ass?” Imara snarked, her arms crossing over her chest.
Colton raised an eyebrow at her.
“They’re going to have to fight men in these Trials.” Hawk shrugged. “They might as well learn against us since we’re not trying to kill them.”
“Fine,” Christian said. “But I’m going last.”
“Why? ‘Cause you’re too gentlemanly to fight a girl?” Colton mocked.
“No, because he’s been winning fights since he was sixteen,” Imara said.
Christian’s eyebrows furrowed despite his widening eyes, but Imara simply stared right back at him.
Gemma looked between them, waiting for an explanation.
Imara sighed. “Look, my mom owns a bar-slash-gentlemen’s club. Yes, the kind with the half-naked dancing ladies. Move on.” She narrowed her eyes at a smirking Colton. “Anyway, people talk in places like that. The same kind of people who go to the fights. I may never have met you, but I know all about you, Christian Holm. Perileos isn’t that big of a place.”
Christian’s jaw flexed. “It was a way of paying off my dad’s debts. Can we please leave it at that?”
“Of course,” Hawk interjected, patting Christian’s shoulder. “At least you got to have fun training. I had some stupid simulator I was required to log hours in. Your way sounds much more entertaining.”
Gemma’s face tightened as she watched Christian flex and relax his hands, the lines around his eyes deepening. Why would he not be proud that he’d found a way to provide for his family?
The boxing ring duplicated itself as the five of them wrapped their hands. Gemma tried to mimic Christian, but he moved so fast with his tape that she quickly got lost. She’d only sparred with Dissent members afew times; remembering how to protect her knuckles was not something she’d thought to save.
Christian must’ve felt her watching him, for a corner of his mouth rose. “Need help?”
Her cheeks roasted. “Yeah, maybe.” She cleared her throat and held out her hands. The corners of his eyes crinkled in a way that made her heart flutter. Gemma pursed her lips and tried not to pay attention to his face.
Christian took her right hand in his and disentangled the fabric. His touch was so tender, so gentle that she had to bite her lip to stay focused on learning. He anchored the wrap around her thumb and wrist before crossing it over her hand and between her knuckles, ensuring each was protected. He did the same with her left, and when he’d finished, his fingers lingered just long enough that Gemma’s stomach somersaulted.
“Hurry up, Mister Superstar,” Imara quipped. “I’d like to spar with my partner now.”
Gemma cleared her throat, unable to meet his stare as she tucked loose hair behind her ear. “Thanks.”
“Any time,” Christian replied. His bright gaze met hers, and Gemma had to force herself not to run away.
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.Why couldn’t she have just said no to his help?
Gemma climbed into the ring with Imara while Hawk and Colton stepped into theirs.
“Since you’re not fighting yet, Christian, you want to referee?” Hawk asked.
Christian nodded. “Sure.”
