“That’s better,” Victoria purred. “We’ll start with a little jog, then we’ll have breakfast.”
Caroline followed her out of the gate and onto the dark street. Her eyes scanned the street, searching for someone or something to offer her comfort after the hellish night where she demanded Jameson leave over a stupid argument. She lashed out at him because she couldn’t control the emotions welling inside of her.
Victoria increased the pace, making Caroline pant harder. Man, she didn’t realize how badly out of shape she grew sitting in a dog crate. They ran the block, and Caroline sighed in relief until Victoria passed it up and kept going. She groaned, protesting her new tormentor.
“I heard you,” Victoria said evilly. “We’ll add a third round for good measure.”
“You do realize they rescued me not too long ago and I’m still recovering,” she wheezed.
“Oh, you may have sent Jameson home like a whipped puppy, but I don’t accept excuses,” Victoria said, not even sounding winded. “Push yourself, Caroline. I suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and I still taught my sons how to protect themselves.”
“The team promised to protect me,” she argued as they rounded the block a second time.
“They can’t give you back your power. Even I’m not talented enough to give it to you. It’s inside you, Caroline. By the time we’re done, you’ll never feel helpless again,” Victoria promised.
“How do you know about last night? You said you planned to stay in Corpus Christi. Jameson went home,” she said, piecing together how Victoria knew about him.
“Did he? Or maybe he called and asked my husband to cover you until he spoke with the rest of the team,” Victoria said, turning and jogging backward. “Scan the area around you. Always know your surroundings. After breakfast, I’m quizzing you about what we’ve noticed on the run.”
“You’re only now telling me,” she exclaimed. “It might be nice if you’d tell me these things beforehand.”
“Tell me. When Cain held you, did you scan the room for perceived threats? When to stay away and debate between two evils?” Victoria questioned as they jogged around the block, and Caroline slowed to a walk.
Stopping, Caroline held her knees and tried to draw in air.
“Walk it off. Ivan has water waiting, and then we’ll have breakfast,” she ordered as she opened the gate and held it for Caroline to enter. They walked inside, and a delicious aroma filled her tiny kitchen.
An older man, grinned as she accepted the water from him. “Hello, Caroline. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ivan, Victoria’s husband.”
“Your wife tried to kill me,” she told him, making him chuckle darkly.
“She’s taking it easy on you today. Wait until tomorrow,” he warned. “You have time to take a quick shower and to dress casually.”
Rushing to the bathroom, Caroline turned on the shower and jumped in, relishing the cool water. She washed her hair and body in lightning speed, knowing they meant business.
When she returned to the kitchen, Ivan set a plate on the table.
“Do you prefer coffee or tea?”
“I’ll stick with water, thanks,” she said, waiting for Victoria to serve herself as her guest.
“We’ve already eaten, darling. You’ll need the calories. Finish up,” she said curtly as she drank a cup of coffee and scrolled on her phone.
“How will this help me?” Caroline asked. “I can hire a personal trainer.”
Victoria shot her a wry smile and glanced at Ivan.
“Trust me, my wife will teach you things no man will ever want a woman to know. She beats my number one man and occasionally me. You might not see what she’s teaching you, but eventually the fog will clear, and you’ll see what’s before you,” Ivan advised her as he nodded toward the mound of food.
Caroline bit into the eggs, knowing she didn’t have anything in her fridge. Ivan must’ve picked up groceries before arriving.
“From now on, you’ll drink only water, one cup of tea or coffee for breakfast, because I’m not a barbarian. You’ll eat whole foods and nothing from a box. Say goodbye to your cookies. Stick with fruit or protein-dense snacks,” Victoria said, laying out her plan.
“I bought the cookies yesterday,” she groaned. “I haven’t eaten one in six years.”
“Two more weeks won’t matter. You’re malnourished, dehydrated, and your mind has a ton of jumbled thoughts. We must kickstart your brain and get your senses working again. You’re numb and the only emotion you briefly feel is anger,” Victoria said, daring her to deny it.
“How did you get over this?” Caroline asked, biting into her whole-grain toast.
