still want this. It’s not security and it sure as hell isn’t safer than what Nate is offering. It’s up to you.”
“Torque and I are a package deal,” I say quickly.
“I know. Trust me, I know.”
“Good. Let’s get me back to Toy Cop training then, shall we?”
He laughs and shakes his head. For the first time in weeks, I relax. I can do this. Training and then I go to work for John.
Yeah, that sounds right.
Chapter 34
Rage
Val
Two and a half months later…
I’ve been watching this chick and I see so much of myself in her. She moves like a killer with a chip on her shoulder. We’re the most dangerous type.
She won’t kill because she’s told to, she’ll do it because she wants to, needs to. There’s one problem. That anger is locked inside, and she hasn’t learned how to harness the rage within.
“What are you thinking?” Uri asks at my side.
I turn my gaze to him. Nate stands beside him with the same curious look in his eyes. I tilt my head toward the bella that’s brooding in the ring.
“She’s the best here. Why do you hold her back?” I say.
“Roni isn’t one of mine. Not anymore. She’s volatile. She also has no memory of who she was before she was taken. Too many unknows with her,” Nate replies. “She’s better off in the situation she’s going into. I hope.”
He mutters that last part. I nod and turn back to watch her. “You do know you can’t leave her like this?”
When nothing is said, I look to Nate. He stares at me in confusion. The man may be a trained killer, but there’s a difference.
“Bloody hell,” Uri murmurs and folds his arms over his chest.
I know my husband understands me. This girl is a mirror of me. She’s been hurt. She needs to release the things clawing at her insides.
“Want to fill me in?” Nate says.
“You leave her this way, she’ll explode. It’s there, the signs. It’s coming. Let me help her.”
He narrows his eyes at me. I wait, holding my breath. I haven’t been able to show the asset I can truly be here. This girl… I can show them the intensity their team lacks. The edge that makes me the hitter I am. What makes Uri who he is.
“Are you sure you want to take that on?”
I turn at the sound of the deep rumbling voice. A gorgeous face greets me. He’s not as tall as Uri, but he’s over six feet tall. Those eyes and lashes are amazing.
“John, this is Valentine Donati, Val this is Johnathan Black. You already know Uri,” Nate says.
“Nice to meet you. You can call me John.”
“Val.”
He nods his head toward Roni. “She’s stubborn. There’s a lot going on in her head. Some of it she’s still trying to sort out.”
“Good. She can use it. I know I will.”
With that, I saunter away toward the ring. It’s time I free this phoenix before she burns up in her shell. This will be fun.
Roni
I feel the moment he enters the gym. I haven’t seen John in over two months. I get it. His family has needed him, and I need to be here to train and get my temper under control.
That doesn’t mean I haven’t been angry and resentful. They treat me like a fragile doll here. I hate that John told them how I lost it on that mission.
I’m watched more closely and cautiously now. It’s getting frustrating. Add the dreams, visions, and fragments of memories and I’m just pissed. Who cares about this training? I’m not going to be able to use it if I can’t get my fucked up head right.
“Come on, Roni. Focus. You’re better than this,” Jasper coaches as we bounce around the ring.
I roll my eyes. Adjusting my stance, I barely raise my guard. I didn’t want to be in this ring before John arrived, now that I’ve spotted him standing with Nate and that Uri guy, I could care less about being in here. It’s a waste of my time.
“You fight like you’re constipated.”
I pause and drop my hands, looking to the side of the ring. This bitch. It’s the Black chick with the blue eyes. I think she’s the Uri guy’s wife or something. Valentine or some shit like that.
“Get your ass in here. I’ll beat the shit out of you,” I say in annoyance.
“Shit, Roni, I don’t think you want to do that,” Jasper groans.
I frown and look her prissy ass over. I’ll beat