Page 31 of Forbidden Heart

“Don’t thank me.” JJ scowls. “An attacker isn’t going to be gentle. We need to try something else.”

“Okay.” I nod, but my stomach growls. “Maybe we should eat something first.”

“Five minutes,” JJ says, his gaze intense. “First, I’ll attack you, and you kick me.”

I dutifully nod as we square off.

There’s a beat of silence.

JJ grunts as he leaps toward me. Squealing, I kick him in the side of the leg with my foot. Instantly, JJ drops the attacker’s pose and glares at me. He’s got one eyebrow raised.

“Roonie,” he says gruffly. “When a guy is trying to hurt you, where do you kick him?”

It takes me some time to realize what he’s talking about. When it dawns on me, my cheeks flush and I shake my head. I definitely can’t kick JJ there.

“Roonie.” JJ bends to my height and puts his hands on my shoulders, his expression grim. “I don’t want you to be scared, especially not here in the apartment. And if you won’t call the cops on your father, the least I can do is teach you to fight. That way, if he ever does come after you, I know you can take care of yourself.”

I nod as JJ’s words settle like ice in my stomach. He’s right. If Father finds out that I’m here and decides to come get me, I’ll be in huge trouble. And if the guys aren’t around to protect me, I need to be able to protect myself. Especially if they find out I can’t be here and I have to leave.

My mind fills with images of Father’s angry face. Of his fists. He’s coming for me, ready to strike.

And just like that, I become aware of the very real presence of someone standing behind me. JJ looks beyond me at whoever is there. Father!

My instincts take over.

I whirl around and swing my leg out in front of me. My foot connects with something soft. The pointed tip of my shoe digs into tender flesh. A shriek pierces the air. It’s still ringing in my ears when I look to the ground to see the toppled figure lying before me.

It’s Silas, doubled over, hands clutching his crotch.

“Silas,” I cry. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just... studying... in the...” he glances at their home library—the one with the large table, office chairs, and all the bookshelves. The one I never once thought to check for the Dark Prince.

“I’m so sorry,” I cry.

“Don’t be.” JJ places one solid hand on my shoulder. “That kick was perfect. Next time, do it just like that.”

Chapter 13

Apparently kicking Silas in the balls is exactly what I needed to get my voice back around the Dark Prince. Unfortunately, aside from a series of sorries, I don’t get a chance to say much. The moment he’s able to stand, Silas hobbles around the apartment, gathering his stuff, and then storms out the front door.

JJ tries not to laugh the whole time and keeps snorting randomly all through breakfast. I do, too—it was pretty funny, and I feel lighter than I have in days. JJ was right. Self-defense works wonders.

When my Knight in Shining Armor heads out for the day, I’m left with the entire apartment to myself. There’s no sign of Tate or Charles, and when I check my phone, I realize they both sent texts. My Beast is working on an essay at the campus library, but promises to be back for dinner. And Prince Charming didn’t want to wake me this morning, but let me know he flew out to see his sister.

I still can’t quite wrap my mind around the fact that he just borrowed a private plane from Charles. Or the fact that the Beast has a private plane just sitting around that he can lend out to friends. What does he even need a private plane for? Does he fly over campus while eating fancy appetizers from Chez Caviar?

I kind of wish he did, and that he’d invite me along, because I’ve never flown anywhere. Considering I didn’t get into college and I couldn’t even get a minimum-wage job, this is probably my only chance.

The thought of soaring above campus like a bird—or a dragon straight out of a fairy tale—is an enticing one.

Soaring like a dragon... I sing softly as I settle on the couch and sink into the cushions. My brand new laptop is sitting on the coffee table, waiting for me, and I pick it up like it’s made of glass and settle it on my lap.

I spend an hour or so putting together my resume—mostly just making it look pretty. All I really have is my high school diploma and a section listing my hobbies and skills. Hopefully, it’s enough to get me a job. That way, I can text the guys that I’m out somewhere important, instead of just lounging around the apartment doing nothing.

Except, there is one important thing I can do today. I could write the guys a competition song.

Soaring like a dragon... I sing again, picturing myself up in the private plane with Tate, Charles, JJ... and Silas. Except this time, I stand up to the Dark Prince and kick him in the balls.