Page 53 of Twilight Tactics

10

Thankfully, all was quiet for the rest of the night. Piper and David had found cut fences when they’d gone on their hunting excursion but no one on the property who wasn’t supposed to be there. And while all was calm for now, Elena had a feeling it was just the proverbial calm before the storm. Someone was out there planning ... something.

She had no idea what to do about it, but for this moment in time, she could make a young girl happy. She drove to the cabin, then walked up to the door and knocked.

Piper opened the door, coffee in her other hand. “Good morning.”

“Morning.”

“Ollie’s chomping at the bit. I think she was up at six in spite of her ‘I don’t do early mornings’ whine yesterday.”

“I’m looking forward to it too.”

“You sure you’re up to this?”

“I’m up to it.”

Ollie walked into the kitchen dressed in sweats and tennis shoes. She radiated excitement, and Elena didn’t blame her.She hadn’t had much to look forward to for the past three months, and now she was very interested in learning to defend herself. Elena would make it happen despite her own aches and pains. Aches and pains that were shouting at her this morning. But nothing was broken, and she didn’t hurt so bad that she couldn’t give some verbal instructions.

Sully stepped into the kitchen. “We all ready?”

“You’re going too?” Elena asked.

“I’m with Ollie like Velcro for now. All right to use your car? I don’t want to use the golf cart. Too open.”

Ollie groaned. “You really think a sniper’s going to—”

Sully shot the teen a hard look and she bit her lip. “I don’t know, but at this point we’re not taking any chances. You’re smart enough to know that. So, it’s this or you can stay here.”

Elena’s eyes widened at the steel in his words, and Ollie blinked, then nodded. “Fine.”

Smart girl. Elena wouldn’t want to argue with that either.

They hurried to the vehicle, and Sully dropped them at the gym. Once they were inside, Sully stayed near the door. “You guys go ahead. Just take it easy, okay?”

Elena nodded. There was no way she’d work the teen too hard. “I promise.”

“I’m going to make a few calls. That okay?”

“Of course. We’ll be right over there in the corner on the mats.”

He nodded, his gaze lingering on her face before he turned away, phone already in hand.

“Hey, Sully?” Ollie said.

“Yeah?”

“After this, can I visit the library here? I want books on how to survive in the woods.”

He smiled. “Sure. Books are good. We’ll get you whatever and however many you want.”

Elena bit her lip, able to read his thoughts without anyproblem. Books would keep her in one spot. Easy to watch and out of trouble.

She joined Ollie at the blue exercise mats. The polished wooden floor gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and the lemony smell of cleaning solution hung in the air. She kicked off her shoes and stepped onto the mat. Ollie did the same.

“All right, first things first. Self-defense isn’t about strength. It’s about leverage, timing, and using your attacker’s momentum against them, okay?”

“I’ve heard that before.”