my head for the better part of a year, but it still doesn’t come naturally to me. Axel doesn’t think. He just reacts. I’m still trying to figure out when to use each move. That leaves me a split second behind Axel. It’s time he uses to pound me into the mat.
We’ve been working on hand-to-hand combat for the past two weeks, a required skill for my upcoming mission. And I’m failing at it.
Spectacularly.
“You’re not trying.”
“I am trying, but you’re just all so much bigger than me.” Not to mention stronger. Oh, and of course, they’ve been trained by the best of the best. Hell, they are the best of the best. I’m just little old me. Tiny. Puny. Wet behind the ears when it comes to this kind of thing.
“Moira, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jenny ignores Griff’s and my back and forth. “Nice to see someone was finally able to sink her nails into this man. Good luck taming him though.”
I’m still confused why she’s here. Griff closes the distance between us. He takes my hands in his and stoops down. He does that whenever he’s trying to make a point.
“You’re stuck in your head, little minx.” He taps my temple for emphasis.
“I don’t even know what that means.”
Griff pulls me out of the ring. “What I mean is you’ve lost before you’ve even begun.”
“Huh?” His explanation only increases my confusion.
He taps my forehead. “The battle is fought with the mind as much as, or more than, the body. The moves we’ve been teaching you capitalize on momentum. They’re designed to level the playing field. Size and strength mean less when you can manipulate your attacker using their body weight against them.”
“Whatever.”
“Not whatever.” He taps my temple again. “You believe you can’t win, so you’ve already lost.”
“I’ve sparred against Axel, Max, Knox, Liam, and Wolfe, and I’ve lost to them all. I can’t even get a hit in.” I’ve also sparred with Griff at home, but that always leads to sex. Pretty amazing sex, but fighting him is different than sparring with the other guys of Alpha team.
“Kid, it’s because you see these brutes and know you’re smaller than them. Lighter than them. They may have more training and years of experience on you, but that doesn’t mean you’re helpless against them.” She taps her temple. “Ninety-percent of the fight is up here. Confidence will win you more fights than raw skill. The lack of confidence will lose every damn time.”
“Years of training says otherwise.” I can’t help the snippy comment.
“Come on.” Jenny steps onto the mat. “Watch and learn.” She points to Axel, who glares at Griff.
“You owe me a case, dude. A fucking case.” Axel joins Jenny on the mat.
Without warning, Jenny crashes into Axel. She’s a blur of punches and kicks. She moves with sinuous grace. Each motion flows into the next, like she knows exactly where her body is going to be before it gets there.
Axel defends then goes on the attack. Or tries to. Jenny’s fist crunches against his nose. She dodges a blow and hits him in the gut with the back of her heel. Axel grunts and launches at her. Jenny lets Axel grab her, but then she spins and turns his attack against him, tossing him to the ground.
Placing a foot on his belly like a victorious killer, she props her hands on her hips. “That is how you fight.”
“What? How? I don’t…”
“Kid…” She lifts a finger. “Size has nothing to do with it. Strength only matters if you let them get a hold of you. Griff’s right. You’ve lost because you don’t believe a woman can take down a Guardian. But the fact you’re female is your greatest advantage. Men will underestimate you. Use that to your advantage.”
Axel grabs her ankle and lifts it off his stomach. He rolls free and dusts off his hands. Jenny flashes her pearly white teeth at him and gives a little snap. Axel just shakes his head and glares at Griff again.
“I’m sorry, but that was just for show, right?” I look to Axel. “You let her win?”
“I never throw a fight.” He shakes hands with Jenny and fishes a raggedy button out of his pants. He lifts the button, showing it to Griff. “A whole case of beer.”
“I don’t get it. What’s with the button?” I’m so confused.
Jenny snatches it out of his hand. “I’ve heard about these. Alpha team is weird.” She tucks the button into her bra. “Now, kid,