Page 41 of Us Defiant Few

Others would be added.

But God help whoever remained by the time he was through.

Takeshi’s eyes would be the last they witnessed before he descended into hell with them.

11

I don’t fear the ones who are strong.

I fear the ones who are underestimated.

Another ugly curse ripped from Khalani’s mouth.

Lane gently prodded her shoulder, and her nostrils flared at the sharp ache.

“Just relax. I’m going to push it back in on the count of three.”

Khalani nodded, forcing the pain and fear deep into the recesses of her mind.

“One—” Pop!

Lane twisted her shoulder, and the audible click and searing pain made her cry out.

“You said three!” she rasped.

“It’s better when you don’t expect it.” Lane shrugged. “The good news is the injury isn’t too bad. Just try not to use your arm unless you have to.”

He wrapped her shoulder in a sling and left shortly after, joining Jack for a meeting the Aces were having that night.

All Khalani had to occupy her in the small room was her thoughts.

And they kept returning to Takeshi.

For the faintest of seconds during their fight, she’d thought a flicker of desire had swept through his eyes. It reminded her of their training in Braderhelm.

The constant push and pull that defined their entire relationship.

The sight had filled her with hope.

But when he’d dislocated her shoulder, those foolish fantasies vanished. To be fair, Khalani did ask for it.

And he didn’t try to kill or kidnap her this time.

She groaned, wanting to bury her head in the pillow and never come back up for air for all the progress she was making.

A slight knock sounded at the door.

Blue hair peeked through the doorway, and Serene’s pale face appeared. She took one glance at Khalani’s shoulder and crossed her arms.

“If I stick Takeshi’s head in a blender, do you think that will help him remember?”

Khalani snorted. “Trust me, I’ve already had to convince myself that hitting him in the head won’t bring his memories back any faster.”

“You’re probably right,” Serene muttered, sitting on the bed. “Fucking men. Can’t live with them…”

“Can’t kill them,” Khalani finished.

Serene smirked, tapping her fingers together, something she often did when she was nervous.