Page 80 of The Quiet Witness

“Hmmm, merely truthful as per usual. Now.” He leaned forward on the chair, a knowing smirk already in place as he teasingly inquired, “Does milady feel up for the challenge?”

Gods. “You’re such an insufferable bastard.” He knew just which buttons to push with her.

He got up, stretching his legs as he said. “So I’ve been told before.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll be the teacher for today.” Her hands met each other in a mock punch, the sound resounding across the living room. “Let’s replace your ass. They’ll be asking for trainer Katherine from now on.” She felt her lips spread into a sly smile, mirroring his. “They’ll be chanting, be gone with stuck-up Lucien.”

“Stuck-up Lucien, you say?” He moved closer to her, drawing up to his full towering height, making her lift her chin in order to keep her eyes glued to his. “ You’d do well to remember that trainer Kate will still be getting in the ring with trainer Lucien.”

Oh yes, she hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. “Fuck.” It slipped out before she had a chance to swallow the word. Knowing full well what the consequences would be of antagonizing him.

He raised his eyebrows in triumph as if he’d just won a prize. “Fuck indeed. Lesson 101 in self-defense. Never challenge your own trainer. He’ll show less mercy in future… dealings.” Okay, yes, Kate needed to get going before she would dig herself an even deeper grave. Clapping her hands together, she blurted out. “Let’s get going, shall we?”

The mere “Hmmhmmm.” told her he knew precisely where her mind had strayed. Making her way to the hall to get dressed, she heard him mutter under his breath. “Smart girl.” Just loud enough so that she’d hear it. Yep, she would not be setting foot on that bomb this time around.

Hurrying down the hallway, his answering chuckle followed her on foot.

***

The car ride had been silent. It left Kate with plenty of time to stew over his latest threat, picturing the scenarios of him getting back at her.

None of them bode well.

She glanced over at the driver, one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested on his thigh, fingers drumming to a beat only he could hear. No doubt also conjuring up the many different ways he could terrorize her in their next showdown on the mats.

Kate sighed, drawing his attention to her. He still wore the same sly smile plastered to his face, shooting her another promising wink. All good fun. She sighed again, resigning herself to her fate.

Casually rolling to a stop in front of the shelter, he killed the engine and turned in his seat. But her attention was elsewhere, on the building, where her doom sat waiting for her. With a cough, Lucien redirected her attention to him.

“You can still say sorry, you know…”

Her hand was already on the doorknob, ready to escape his presence and face the uncertainty awaiting her in the halls of the sanctuary.

She should have known he still had something up his sleeve. Turning to face him, she asked. “Excuse me?”

He smirked knowingly, resting his hand on the stick shift. “Don’t act all innocent now, apologize, and I’ll go easy on you next time we square off.”

Her eyebrows rose in indignation. “I think my gracious acceptance to help you should function as a sorry.”

“Hmmm… maybe.” He leaned toward her, voice low as he muttered. “I want to hear you say it though.”

Opening the door with a click, she muttered. “Stick that apology up your ass, Lucien.” The damage was done anyhow, the last thing she would do was grovel for his mercy.

“Duly noted.”

Kate stepped out of the car, legs trembling slightly. Her breath swirling in the air before her, she rubbed her hands together, wondering if this winter would last forever.

“Good luck.” It should have been comforting, yet he managed to make it sound like a dark promise.

What have I done?

“And have fun!” He wiggled his eyebrows in amusement. She shut the door in his face, perhaps a little more roughly than was strictly necessary.

But even as the shivers raced down her spine, she realized something: the entire time they’d been together, thoughts of Max hadn’t crossed her mind again. It prevented her from straying into dangerous territory and kept her from slipping into a panic.

Straightening her shoulders, she strode toward the looming building, her pulse racing.

Fake it till you make it, Kate. You’ve freaking got this.