Page 34 of Us Defiant Few
“Yep.” Adan heaved, half bent over. “I think I just fell in love.”
“Moving on.” Brock rolled his eyes. “Winnifred, you’re with me again.”
Khalani wanted to protest the unfair matchup, but Winnie refused to complain. If anything, her eyes sparkled with gratitude when Brock didn’t leave her out and treated her like an equal.
That was something she needed to remember.
Just because you wanted to protect someone with your entire being didn’t mean you should. Sometimes, the greatest form of love was letting them face danger.
Brock held back his strength with Winnie, but he didn’t go easy on her either. He blocked hit after hit, but he coached her through the moves, letting her know where she should strike next.
Winnie’s forehead was scrunched in fierce concentration, and after ten minutes, her limbs trembled and she was covered in sweat.
Brock released his hold on her arm. “Good job, Winnifred. You need to put more power behind your hits, but we can work on that.”
“Winnie went easy on you. Just you wait for next time.” Winnie huffed, entirely out of breath.
“Looking forward to it.” His lips curled in a rare smile.
Khalani readied herself for the next fight, but a strange noise drew their attention.
A large figure descended the stairs, his black hair gleaming like silk. His broad shoulders were squared, eyes set, hands in his pockets like he could take on the world but chose not to.
Her lips parted as Takeshi landed on the dusty ground, his dangerous gaze taking in the entire room.
Raziel reached for his gun. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Takeshi glanced at the masked man, unafraid. “I thought it obvious.”
“Who said you could come down here?”
“A man named Jack.”
Raziel scowled, opening his mouth to argue, but a tiny figure ran past him and threw her arms around Takeshi.
“Winnie’s so sorry for hitting you with a chair. Even though you deserved it,” Winnie gasped, squeezing him tight.
Takeshi stood frozen, arms completely stiff by his sides. His eyes were wide, and when Adan walked up and patted him on the back, he looked ready to bolt back up the stairs.
“You all right, man?” Adan nervously asked. “Still got your brain fried or what?”
“Adan, you’re probably the one person he didn’t mind forgetting.” Serene rolled her eyes but she gave Takeshi a small wave.
Takeshi’s throat bobbed as he tried to pull away, but Winnie’s arms remained firmly wrapped around him.
Khalani didn’t move from her spot.
Takeshi was so used to being surrounded by enemies, she didn’t want to scare him off.
Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
She didn’t know how much pain her heart could take if he pushed her away again.
“Winnie,” Brock said softly. “Let him breathe.”
Winnie finally backed away, but she looked Takeshi right in the eye. “You must remember Winnie, right?”
He opened his mouth, clearly ready to say no, but he hesitated, frowning slightly. “Aren’t you the old woman they put in the library?”
