Kings of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #1) - Caroline Peckham ,Susanne Valenti Page 0,126

look at his face, I just focused on that red target and pictured Saint’s face, Blake’s, Kyan’s.

I threw punch after punch before landing front kicks, side kicks then finishing it with a roundhouse. If it really had been those boys I’d been attacking, they’d currently be laying on the floor in puddles of their own blood. Which was the kind of image which brought a twisted smile to my lips.

Laughter tumbled from Monroe’s lungs as he tossed the shield across the room. “Holy fuck, princess.”

I shrugged, leaning forward as I panted. My vision was darkening and I just needed a second to steady my heart. My stomach felt so hollow, it hurt. And the thought of how many days this could go on for was like thirty percent terrifying… Alright, sixty.

Monroe directed me over to the water fountain at the side of the room and I stood up, feeling a bit better as I headed over to get a drink.

“So you know how to throw fists and kicks at a shield, but how do you fare against an opponent, Rivers?”

I turned to find Monroe strapping gloves on and his shirt firmly on the fucking floor. My mouth dried out as my gaze dipped to the perfection of his damn body and the tattoos clinging to his flesh. He had an angry tigress amongst the artwork of his chest and I pinned my gaze on her, liking the fire in her eyes.

“Oh I know how to face an opponent, sir. You’ve just gotta find their weakness.” I strode after him as he climbed up into the boxing ring and I pushed myself up after him. We moved to stand opposite one another and adrenaline slid through my veins as a smirk tugged at my features.

He mirrored it, giving me a dark look and a tingle raced beneath my flesh. “Good. Because I’m going to sharpen you into a deadly blade against those boys, princess. I’m going to offer you every single weakness I’ve dug up on them. Are you ready for that?”

Hell yes! I nodded eagerly then lunged as I threw the first punch. My fist slammed right into the tigress and I grinned as I bounced back onto my heels as he came at me in retaliation. He jabbed my side with the lightest of blows and I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t you dare hold back on me, Monroe,” I growled. “I came here to fight. So fight.”

His eyes danced with light and he came at me again with power this time, slamming his gloved fist into my arm. I was ready, wincing at the blow, but not slowing as I brought my knee up and drove a kick into his gut with a cry of effort.

He fell back with a wild laugh and the sound echoed right through my body, making my veins hum with life.

“The winner will be whoever gets their opponent on the ground,” he said, his voice full of vigour as he came at me again.

It felt good to fight a real man. A man who gave me a fighting chance. Who didn’t manipulate and threaten his way into controlling me. He was an equal opponent and I thrived on every punch and kick he threw. I even relished the pain he delivered because it was fairly given and I delivered it back just as hard.

We were soon bruised and sweating, dancing around each other as our fight carried on, neither of us managing to uproot the other.

Darkness flickered at the edges of my vision again, but I blinked it back, forcing myself to focus.

I kicked and punched over and over, but my lack of food was taking a toll. Monroe aimed a kick toward my gut and as I brought my arms up to defend myself I stumbled back, nearly losing my footing as my vision darkened. He didn’t waste a second of the advantage, running at me and freaking football tackling me to the ground.

His full weight slammed on top of me and an oomph left my lungs as the air was forced from them.

“Shit, are you alright?” he asked, gazing down at me with an intense stare.

I nodded then started laughing and fucking laughing.

I was more than alright. I was freaking divine. Here in this room, I felt invincible, untouchable. And that also got me hot as hell as Monroe shifted his god-like body over mine.

Our breaths mingled and the burning heat of our flesh pressed together, taking my mind down a filthy road.