“Okay.”

  “When I come at you like this…” Slade got in front of me then gripped the back of my neck and one shoulder. “What are you going to do?”

  I immediately kneed him in the balls.

  Slade blocked it like he was expecting it. “Okay, that didn’t work and I just spent a few seconds reacting to it. Now I’m distracted. What are you going to do next?”

  I tried to move from his grasp.

  “No. You need to hit me.” He grabbed one hand and moved my palm up, exposing my wrist. You need to thrust your palm right into the nose and break it.” He pulled my hand to his face. “Up and hard.”

  “I’m not strong enough to break it.”

  “Yes, you are. It’s mainly cartilage and thin bone.”

  I stepped back and examined my hand, skeptical of my abilities.

  “You can do it, baby. Trust me. I’d let you do it on me but you’d break my face.”

  “I wouldn’t want that.”

  “Let’s practice the sequence.”

  We did it together and I ended the routine with my palm against his face.

  “Good. Now you need to learn how to punch. Punch me in the jaw. Give me your best shot.”

  “What? I’m not going to hit you.”

  “Trust me, it won’t hurt.”

  “No!”

  “Trinity, don’t be a baby right now.” He grabbed my hands and positioned them close to my chest. “Always keep your guard up. Now jab a hit at me. Go easy if that makes you feel better.”

  I threw a hit to his jaw but he didn’t react at all.

  “Okay…let me show you.” He brought his hands to his face and made them into fists. “Keeping your hands up protects your face and neck. It’s harder to be grabbed this way. And when you throw a hit, do it fast.” He hopped on his feet then swung his arm toward me without touching me. “See?”

  “I guess.”

  “Try again.”

  I punched him in the cheek but Slade didn’t wince.

  “Well, when you’re in the heat of battle I’m sure you’ll pack more power into it. My mom is your size, and when she slaps me she practically wipes the skin off my face.”

  Damn, she’s hardcore.

  “Now, you need to learn to be on the defense. If some guy comes at you throwing punches you need to have a plan.”

  “Scream?”

  “Yes,” he said seriously. “That’s always a good response. But you need to do something else as well. You need to learn to dodge and duck.”

  “Okay.”

  “Throw a punch at me.”

  I did, and when my fist moved through the air he dodged to the side.

  “Again.”

  This time when I swung at him he ducked.

  “Good. Now you try.” He stood in front of me and prepared himself. “Okay. I’m going to swing. You need to duck as quickly as possible.”

  “Okay.” I held my palm tightly against my chest and waited.

  “Okay. Here I go.”

  For some reason, I didn’t duck. I wasn’t ready for it. I kept thinking about that terrible afternoon on the beach and it terrified me. Within a blink of an eye, Slade’s fist hit me in the eye and I was on the floor.

  “FUCK! Trinity, are you okay?” He moved over me and examined my eye. “You told me you were going to duck!”

  “I…I forgot.” I felt the pain in my eye and there were blotches of color in my vision.

  “Motherfucker, are you alright?” His hand moved through my hair and leaned over me with a concerned look on his face. His eyes watered like he was in pain. “Baby, are you okay? Let’s get you to the hospital.”

  “No, I’m okay.” I touched my eye and felt it swell.

  “Are you sure?” He kissed the area around my eye. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I thought you were going to duck. You know I would never hurt you on purpose.”

  “I know, Slade.” I patted his arm. “It’s okay.”

  “I feel like shit,” he blurted. “Let me get you some ice.” He headed to the freezer and grabbed a bag full of ice. Then he returned and placed it over my eye, the concern still obvious in the lines of his face.

  “Slade, I’m okay.” I felt the need to comfort him because he looked so panicked. “It was an accident.”

  He released a deep breath while he continued to apply the ice to my face. “I just don’t want you to be scared of me…”

  “Never.”

  “I really thought you were going to duck.”

  “I know.”

  He continued to apply pressure. “It’s turning black and blue.”

  “It’s just a bruise. It’ll fade.”

  “Maybe we should go to the hospital.”

  “No, it’s just a bump,” I argued. “We don’t need to see a doctor.”

  “But you can get some pain medication.”

  “It doesn’t hurt that bad.”

  He ran his fingers through my hair. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I want to go home.”

  “Okay.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. “That’s enough for the day. Forever, actually.”

  I wasn’t eager to learn any more moves. I couldn’t get the hang of it anyway.

  “I’ll just get you a gun or something.”

  “I would shoot myself fin the foot.” I took the ice bag from him and held it to my face.

  “You’re right. Maybe some mace.”

  “I’d probably spray myself in the eye.”

  “Then I’ll take you everywhere,” he said. “I don’t mind anyway.”

  “You’ll be my private bodyguard?”

  He put his arm around my waist as he walked. “That’s the definition of being a husband. You didn’t know that?”

  ***

  When we woke up the next morning, Slade immediately examined my eye. He released a deep sigh. “Shit, it looks worse.”

  “It always has to get worse before it gets better,” I said calmly.

  “Baby, it looks really bad. I don’t think you should go to work.”

  “Foundation will cover it up.”

  He seemed skeptical. “I don’t know…it’s dark.”

  “I’m good with make up.” I sat up to get out of bed.

  He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. “I really think you should rest today.”

  “It doesn’t even hurt.”

  He gave me that look like he thought I was lying. “You can work from home. It’s not like you’ll be sitting on the couch eating bon-bons.”

  “Are you afraid people are going to think you beat me?”

  Guilt came over his face. “A little.”

  “I’ll tell them I fell into the corner of the counter,” I said. “No one would ever think you hit me anyway.”

  “You’re sure?” He eyed me with hesitation.

  “Yes.” I left his grasp then stood up. “I need to get ready.”

  He didn’t argue with me and sat there quietly.

  After I showered and got ready, I applied the make up to my face. I carefully blended the liquid foundation into my skin and tried to make it match. But no matter what I did, the blue was still visible. And since my eye was swollen it was more noticeable. I would just avoid people so no one would see it. That would be the best tactic.

  Slade came into the bathroom behind me, dressed and ready to go. He leaned against the doorway with his arms across his chest. “I can still tell.”

  “I did my best,” I said with a sigh.

  “Maybe you should just stay home.”

  I walked passed him. “I can’t afford to stay home. There’s too much to do.”

  Slade looked like he wanted to argue but he kept it back. “Let me walk you.”

  “I can manage.” The sun was up and there were lots people walking the streets. Being in the presence of others didn’t bother me. Walking alone at night terrified me.

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t mind.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I gave him a kiss on the lips.

  Slade didn’t reciprocate.

  I pulled away and stared at him.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I feel terrible…”

  “Slade, it’s okay. Forget about it.”

  He stared at my bruised eye. “How can I?”

  “It was just an accident. And it was my fault.”

  “I still hit you,” he said miserably. “I’m a jerk.”

  “No, you aren’t.” I gripped the front of his shirt and pulled his lips to mine. “You’re my husband and I love you.”

  He relaxed and kissed me back.

  “I’ll see you later.” I walked out.

  “Baby?”

  I turned around before I shut the door.

  “I love you too.”

  ***

  There was no way I could avoid my assistant, but she was smart enough not to ask me about my eye. She pretended she didn’t notice, but judging her wandering eyes she did.

  The afternoon passed slowly while I worked. I had phone calls that never seemed to end. Emails piled up, and I was the only one who could address them. People came into my office throughout the day and asked for guidance for the clothing line. I did my best to cover my eye with my hair and act normal.

  Around lunchtime, Abigail spoke over the intercom. “Your father is here. He says he wants to get lunch.”

  I froze and dropped my pen. He wanted to get lunch today of all days? I hit the button. “Tell him I’m busy and I can’t make it.” I’d never ignored my father like this. I hoped he wouldn’t figure out something was wrong.

  Abigail spoke back. “Well, he brought lunch. Sandwiches and salads. He wants to at least drop them off.”

  Motherfucker. “Take me off speakerphone.”

  Abigail picked up the phone and spoke to me privately. “Shall I send him in?”

  “Abigail, I need you to listen to me carefully. Do not repeat what I’m about to say.”

  She spoke like nothing was amiss. “Yes?”

  “In exactly one minute, I need you to walk into my office and say there’s an emergency in the clothing department. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Trinity.”

  “Send him in.” I ended the call and adjusted my hair, trying to make it cover my eye as much as possible. My father was overprotective and blatantly psychotic. I didn’t want him to see the bruise and assume the worst.

  The door opened and Dad came inside with a bag of food. He wore a gray suit that matched his dark eyes, and he walked inside and made every piece of my furniture look small. “Hey, sweetheart.”

  “Hey, Dad.” I tried to act excited to see him. But I didn’t get up to hug him. I remained in my seat. The further apart we were, the better.

  He set the bag on the table then looked at me. “Busy day?”

  I forced a chuckle. “It’s always a busy day.”

  He came around the desk, probably to hug me.

  Goddammit.

  “Maybe you should hire another assistant.” He stood in front of my chair and waited for me to rise.

  I bit the bullet and just did it. If I refused to look directly at him and stand up he would know something was wrong. I rose to my feet then turned my face into his chest as I hugged him. “I’ll think about it.”

  He patted my back. “Or maybe three. Whatever makes your life easier.” He pulled away and looked into my face. His eyes narrowed on my bruised eye, and his happy façade evaporated. “What—”

  Abigail stepped inside. “Trinity, come quick! There’s a situation in the clothing department.” She breathed hard like she’d been running for the past hour. Her act was convincing.

  “Dad, I got to go.” I pushed away from his embrace. “Abigail will walk you out.” I took off before he could get another word in. I didn’t want to give him a chance to really look at me.

  Knowing him, he would jump to the wrong conclusion. I would just explain what happened but my dad wasn’t the most reasonable guy, not when it came to me at least. If I said it was an accident, he might not believe me.

  I headed to the clothing department then took a seat. Now I just had to wait and make sure he was out of the office.

  My phone rang and I saw Abigail’s name on the screen. I answered it. “Is he gone?”

  “Yes. He left the building.”

  “Thank god,” I blurted. “Thank you, Abigail. You should consider a career in acting.”

  She laughed. “Maybe I should.”

  Chapter Seven

  Ryan

  I was sitting in my office when Slade walked inside. He stood beside my desk but didn’t say anything.

  I turned away from my computer and eyed him. “Yes…?” It was unlike Slade to be quiet.

  “I’m having a really bad day.”

  I spun my chair toward him. “You want to talk about it?”

  He sat on my desk and let his legs dangle. “I did something really bad, Dad.”

  “What?” I couldn’t picture Slade doing anything too terrible. He tended to be a drama queen over a lot of things.

  “I was teaching Trinity how to fight and…I accidentally hit her.”

  “You hit her?” I sat up straight. “Is she okay?”

  “She says she’s fine. But she has a black eye.”

  “What the hell happened?”

  “I was teaching her how to duck, and she told me she was going to duck as I threw a hit but she didn’t.” He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. “Fuck, I feel like shit.”

  “Slade, it was an accident. I’m sure she knows that.”

  “She says she does but…I still feel terrible.”

  “You were just trying to teach her. Did she at least learn anything?”

  “I hope so,” he said. “But she’s definitely not a fighter.”

  “She doesn’t seem like it.”

  Slade stared at the ground while his legs dangled.

  “Son, it’ll be okay.”

  He sighed. “I feel like a wife beater.”

  “You aren’t,” I said firmly. “Accidents happen. Remember how many times she’s hit you.”

  “Doesn’t count,” he said. “She doesn’t hit hard. And I deserved it.”

  “As long as she understands it was an accident everything should be fine.”

  “She does,” he answered.

  “Then don’t worry about it. Everything will blow over.”

  He hopped down. “I guess you’re right. I’ll feel better when the bruise fades. Every time I look at her I’m reminded of what I did.”

  “It’ll heal eventually. Just be nice to her.”

  “I’m always nice to her,” he argued.

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Because you just told me you punched your wife.”

  He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Go to hell, Dad.”

  ***

  “Razor, your appointment canceled.”

  Razor popped out of the room. “What? Why?”

  “She didn’t say.” I stood behind the counter and checked a text from my wife.

  “Goddammit,” he hissed.

  “You get paid by the hour,” I said coolly. “What are you freaking out about?”

  “Because she was fine, man. Like, damn fine.”

  I rolled my eyes and chuckled at the same time. “There are other fish in the sea.”

  “Not like this girl,” he said. “She was a perfect ten.”

  “I’m a perfect ten.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah…all those holes in your t-shirt are really sexy.”

  “The girls like it.”

  “I’ll tell your wife that.”

  I laughed. “Like she doesn’t already know.” I put my phone down and looked up. “Everywhere we—”

  A fist collided with my jaw out of nowhere and slammed me backward onto the tile. “What the fuck…?”

  “Oh shit,” Razor said.

  Mike jumped over the counter, murder in his eyes. “Your piece of shit son beat my daughter. What kind of father raises a motherfucker like that?” He moved over me then punched me in the eye, packing strength into it.

  “Get off him!” Razor jumped over the counter and pulled Mike off.

  I got to my feet then snatch the bat under the counter. I turned to Mike while I gripped it with both hands. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I wasn’t above breaking his skull in right now.

  “Me?” he asked, pushing Razor off him. “I can’t believe I let that low life loser marry my daughter.”

  My eyes narrowed and my body started to tense in preparation for the battle. “Don’t talk about my son like that.”

  “He hit my daughter. I’ll say whatever the hell I like.”

  “Slade would never do that.”

  “Well, the big bruise over her eye says otherwise.” He stepped closer to me, his shoulders tensed and broad. “Out of respect for our friendship, I came by to tell you I’m going to murder your son. And I’m not kidding, Ryan. I’m going to put his body in the ground. If you want to defend him, you’re welcome to. But if I have to put you in the ground as well, so be it.”

  “My son didn’t hurt Trinity!”

  “Yes, he did.” He came closer to me, not afraid of the bat in my hands.

  “Trinity said this?” I couldn’t believe that. There was no way in hell Slade would do that. Even if he were angry he wouldn’t lay a hand on any woman. It wasn’t in his beliefs.

  “No. But she didn’t need to. She was trying to hide it from me.”

  “You’re jumping to conclusions.”

  “Why would she hide it from me then?” he snapped. “Why wouldn’t she just tell me? She’s probably afraid I’ll confront Slade and he’ll hurt her again.”

  I recalled Slade saying Trinity didn’t want anyone to know what happened on their honeymoon. That was why Trinity didn’t tell him how she got the scar because she would have to explain why she felt the need to learn self-defense. I wasn’t sure what to do. I promised Slade I wouldn’t share his secret, but if I didn’t say something Mike was going to aunt him down. The only way Mike would stop was if he knew the truth. So, either Slade was going to tell him or I was. “Mike, it’s not what you think. Just calm down.”

  “Calm down?” he asked incredulously. “How would you feel if Silke had a black eye?”

  “I wouldn’t assume Arsen was responsible for it.”

  “Well, I know my daughter pretty well. There’s no other reason for her behavior.” He jumped over the counter and headed to the door. “I’m going to break his arms and his legs. When I’m done with him he’ll be a potato.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15