“That’s still six more than I have.” And because I’m not quite done, I lean forward and lay my head on his chest, right over his heart. “Is Cliff offended by my freak-out? Because I’ll go out there and apolo?—”
“You havenothingto apologize for.” He sets his chin on the top of my head, his warm breath tickling my scalp. “He feels awful for upsetting you.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“And even knowing that, he still feels like a dick. He’s vowed to never wear that cologne ever again.”
“God.” I tuck my arms beneath his, clasping my hands together behind his back. “Such an overreaction. He doesn’t have to do that.”
“Did you remember something?” He cups my face and tilts my head back, forcing me to meet his eyes. I see him right here, right in front of me. But I see someone in the back of my mind, too, hovering in the shadows. A flickering streetlight. Puddles on the ground, and a taunting, horrifying whisper.
Rose? Come out, babe. It’s okay.
“He said I should come out now.” I swallow the painful lump in my throat. “That I didn’t have to hide anymore.”
“Who? Cliff?”
“No.” I press my face against his chest. “Liam. He was out there in the…” I breathe deep and inhale the scent of Ollie. Earth. Sawdust. Antiseptic. It’s an amalgamation that helps slow my sprinting heart. “It looked like a parking lot, I guess.”
Ollie’s body zings with adrenaline, hardening with the temper he keeps locked up tight. “Do Liam and Troop look similar, maybe? Is that why?—”
“No, I don’t…” I wipe my face on his shirt. “I don’t think so. I didn’t panic when Isawhim. Just when he came closer.”
“When you could smell the cologne.” He sighs.
“I don’t like what this means.” Sniffling, I reaffirm my grip around his torso. “I don’t like being the cliché woman running away from a man. It’s played out.”
He chuckles, soft and sweet and just breathy enough to bathe the top of my head. Then he forces me back again and stares into my eyes. “If anyone comes here looking for you, they’ll have to move throughseverallines of defense before they even get to say hello. Billy and Ramone. Hospital administrators. Janine.” His eyes sparkle, warm and comforting. “Me. Besides, you’ve been here three weeks already. More than that, actually. That’s a long time for someone to stay gone, especially since the news piece told them, point-blank, you don’t remember anything. If I were a piece of shit ex desperately looking for you, and I found out you had no memory of my abuse, I’d raise my hand and claim you as my own, and I’d do it as fast as I could. Get in before your memories come back.”
“Not terrifying at all.” I sniffle and drop my gaze. “Probably should learn how to throw a punch, huh?”
“Throw a punch?” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. I’m not sure if he intended to, or if the way his body locks up is an indication of his realization. But all I know is how utterly good it feels. How wholesome and warm his touch is. Howunafraid I am when he’s wrapped around me. “We’re not hereonlyto teach you to throw a jab, Rose. Those are fun and all, but have you ever shattered a man’s skull with a tire iron?” He pulls back and flashes a wide, diabolical smile. “Or clawed his eye out with a hammer?” Taking a step back, he winks, snags my hand, and tugs me toward the door. “One hour of training, then we’re going home and cooking dinner. Also, who was the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?”
I stumble in his wake, snickering as he opens the door and slingshots me into the hall. “Thomas Jefferson, of course.”
“Of course. You and Franky should compete against each other on trivia night. It would be fun to see who wins.”
ROUND TWENTY-SIX
OLLIE
“Clifford, my big, strong, handsome red dog.” Eliza saunters across the mat six feet from where the rest of us stand. Stopping in front of him, she turns and backs up, parking her ass exactly where she fuckin’ shouldn’t. Smirking, she peeks over her shoulder at the man whose cheeks turn pale. “I want you to wrap your arm around my throat. Choke me.”
“Uh…” His guilty eyes swing my way.
“Can we do this without the show?” Tommy laughs. “Poor Cliff’s already having a tough night. He doesn’t need to deal with Ollie, too.”
“You’re okay, Troop.” Eliza grabs his hand and drags it around, over her shoulder, and across until his arm covers his neck. Then she settles back, wiggling her hips until his Adam’s apple bobs with nerves. “You have to squeeze a bit tighter. We’re trying to show Rose what to do if someone grabs on.”
“For science, right?” He gulps and stares at the floor. “For our new friend.”
“For science.” She brings her focus across to us. “Handsy bastard comes up behind you, grabs on. It’s what a lot of ‘em will try to do since, statistically, women are smaller than the average male, and for extra insurance, he’ll want A, tonotbe seen by his target till he’s already there, and B, to clap his hand over her mouth and silence her cry for help.” She lowers her weight and grabs on to Cliff’s arm with both hands, pulling him forward. “First step, you wanna create space between his arm and your throat, because none of this means a damn if you can’t breathe. Second, you’re gonna pop your ass back.” She shoves herself against Cliff’s groin.Once. Twice. Three times. “I know this looks like I’m still teasing, but I’m not. You’ve dropped your weight and lowered your center of gravity. Now you gotta bump him back and destabilize his stance. Then,” she throws her elbow backward, slamming it into his face and knocking stars into the poor fucker’s eyes. “Smash him good. This is your chance to really do some damage. And when he’s dizzy—‘cos he will be—and he steps back—he will, it’s human nature—you’ve opened up a shot at his nuts.” She hammer-fists down, mercifully stopping just short of destroying his future chance of having a family. “Hewilltry to protect himself, which is when he’ll let you go. That’s when you run.” Turning and smiling, she cups Cliff’s dazed face and pulls him in for a hug. “You’re a good sport.”
“Let’s try it.” Tommy lays his baby daughter on the floor, a full twenty feet from where we are, then he comes back and stops behind Alana.
Grunting, Chris climbs to his feet and takes position behind Fox. “I don’t remember agreeing to this shit today.”
“Let’s consider it a growth exercise.” Fox plants her ass against his cock and, reaching back, she scoops her arms around his neck and pulls him down until their lips touch. “I’m kind of offended you haven’t already taught me this. Don’t you care about me at all?”
