Page 61 of Sinister Secrets

“Yeah, maybe,” I agree.

“Okay, then, class dismissed. I hope to see everyone back soon, and in the meantime, remember the five As—awareness, alertness, avoidance, anticipation, and action.”

Silently, I add a few of my own for when those don’t work—anger, aggression, attack.

The room buzzes as the women around me collect their belongings, high on the feeling of being strong and in control for even a brief time in an out-of-control world that preys on weakness. Their excitement is contagious, a smile spreading across my own face, right up until that alertness the instructor was talking about tells me to be on guard.

I turn halfway to find the man in the padded suit standing behind me. “You know, no amount of moral support you bring to the table will save you when things get dicey.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “If it’s the audience that’s stopping you, I’d be happy to give you private lessons.”

The way he scrapes my body with his eyes lets me know exactly what he’s offering.

“That won’t be necessary. There’s nothing I’d be interested in having you teach me.”

On any other day, maybe I’d be able to ignore the nasty word he mutters, but not today.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I know your type. Think you’re too good to get your hands dirty like everyone else, don’t you? Too special to ever have to take care of yourself.”

“I think you’ve taken one too many hits to the head.”

“Prove me wrong then.”

“You know what? Okay.”

“Janet? We’ve got another one after all,” he yells.

The women hurry to gather back around the mat at the center of the room as I trail him over. I turn my back, readying for his attack as the instructor reminds me of the basic moves she’s taught everyone. Then she backs away.

An instant later, his arms lock around me in a vice-like grip, squeezing the air from my lungs. But unlike the bear hug he gave everyone else, he lifts me off the ground. Janet blows her whistle. He ignores it, his breath hot on my cheek as he whispers, “Bet you wish you’d been a little nicer to me now.”

“Not really.”

Curling my knees to my chest, I kick them back down with as much force as I can muster. With the padded suit on, it’s not as effective as I would have liked, but it works to surprise him, knocking him off balance and causing him to release me. I’m prepared for it, landing in a crouch as he drops me onto the mat.

“Bert, that’s enough,” Janet yells.

“It’s okay, Janet,” I assure her, voice calm.

I vaguely register Dr. Evangeline hurrying to her side, no doubt to tell her my background as Bert charges at me like a bull. I let him think I’m frozen in place until the last second, twisting to the side as I grab his arm, using his own momentum to swing him around over my outstretched leg, sending him toppling to the floor.

Staying out of reach, I squat down, tilting my head until we’re eye to eye. “Thanks. I needed that.” Standing, I turn to Olivia. “You ready?”

She nods, falling into step beside me as we head for the door. “You’re going to teach me how to do that, right?”

“If you’d like.”

The woman who I once found prissy and overly perfect in her spotless white clothing nods. “Oh yeah. Definitely.”

“Ladies!” I pause with my hand on the door, wondering whether we should make a hasty escape or not. “Just a second. Please.”

Janet’s face is flushed as she jogs up beside us. “Listen, I’m sorry about that. There’s no excuse. He won’t be working here anymore. But also,” her gaze scans my face. Making a decision, she taps a flyer taped to the wall advertising an advanced defense class. “We meet every Thursday night. You should come. We’d love to have you.”

I scan the paper, committing the details to memory. “Yeah. Maybe.”

It seems like the last thing I need. Then again, I suspect Dr. Evangeline felt the same way when I first suggested the self-defense class and now she’s punching and kicking her way across the parking lot to the car. I’ve created a monster—though which of us that is remains to be seen.

CHAPTER 35