Alexander is insatiable, but that’s really the pot calling the kettle black. The man promised me gym time and a shooting range. Call me a hypocrite, but this police captain's daughter doesn’t know how to shoot. Wednesday’s workday ended, which means freedom. I meet Alexander out at the compound just as the sun is setting, deep reds and oranges bursting over the tops of the trees.
I see Alexander leaning against the railing of the entrance. I make my way over to him, rising on my toes to kiss him, fast and sweet.
“Okay, are we going to do this? I’m ready to take your ass down.” I softly jab his upper arm.
“Your funeral,” he responds as we make our way towards the back of the compound.
“What’s the plan tonight? Boxing ring? Guns?” I bounce around, anxious to get started.
“You’ll just have to see,” is all I get as we make our way through the door into what looks like a barn. He flicks the light on and it kind of resembles Romero’s gym. In the center is a ring, surrounded by weights and beams, weapons lining the wall. My eyes grow big when I see the hilts and blades of the knives. My hand starts to reach for one, but another hand stops me. Keola’s tattooed hand grasps mine and prevents me from touching a weapon. Behind him is a familiar face from the hospital: Memphis steps out from the shadows.
“Don’t think that’s a wise idea,” he mutters as he yanks my hand back.
“Afraid I might scratch something?” I coo at him.
“With you, anything is possible,” Keola mutters under his breath, lugging a bag of items behind him. Memphis stands next to me. I’ll never get over the fact that everyone towers over me.
“Alexander, did you invite an audience? I’m not much of a fan of voyeurism, but whatever floats your boat,” I snark out. I’m struggling to hold in my laughter: the men’s faces pale in terror and disbelief.
“You just had to choose her, didn’t you?” Keola glances over at Alexander, shaking his head and reaching down to unpack his bag. Memphis offers a big belly laugh, and a big smile plastered on his face.
I step into the ring and walk, around testing the rigging and platform. I’d brought in my bag with me, so I grab my wraps.
“Darlin’, I didn’t have the ring in our plans tonight. We are here to get you used to firing a gun.” Alexander offers his hand out for me to jump down.
I laugh. “You didn’t, but I did.”
He hangs his head, glancing back at Memphis and Keola, who throw their hands up in defeat. As I finish wrapping, I sit in a straddle, working on my flexibility. I hear the clanking of metal and peek through the ropes, seeing a few guns laid out. I bend over in the straddle, propped up on my elbows. Alexander sees me watching and comes closer to me. “I was kind of hoping we’d do a little sparing, go a few rounds, then do whatever you had planned.”
“You can’t bring a knife or fists to a gunfight.”
“Touché, but if you think that guns are the only solution, you’re wrong. Why do you think I started boxing, going to Romero’s? Never underestimate the strength of a woman,” I say, standing up and getting into a boxer stance, bouncing on my toes. Alexander continues to look at me with seriousness in his eyes. “Tell you what, big guy, best two out of three rounds. Then, I’ll listen and go along with this plan for tonight.”
“Still don’t think it’s a fair fight, darlin’,” Alexander says as he steps into the ring, stripping off his shirt and throwing it to Memphis. His rippling muscles meet my eyes, and I shake my head to get back to the present moment.
“You are so cute when you get serious. Best two out of three,” I say, giving him a wink.
Alexander nods his head. “I’ve pinned you down before, Little Cub. If you really wanted to be underneath me again, all you had to do was ask.” Alexander’s circling around me.. We’re like two animals fighting over territory, going toe to toe.
“Don’t you start flirting with me now.” I tease him.
Alexander crouches down, striding towards me, his arms stretched out to grab me. I counter by staying in front of him, but he turns, reaching for my neck. My short height allows him easy access. I wrap my body around his waist, like a snake coiling around her prey, wrapping my arm around his neck. Alexander uses his weight to lean back towards the ground, and we fall to the ground hard with a loud thud, vibrating the ring. I’m still wrapped around him but Alexander, being a complete superhuman freak, starts to get up and twists us low to the ground.
We land on the ground with me on the back again, my legs still tight around him, and him still struggling to get me off his back, like an itch you can’t scratch. I wait for him to tap out in defeat, but somehow, he manages to lift us off the ground. I’ve managed to hang on so far, but I can feel it in my thighs: my strength is escaping me. He steps back up, and I clench my thighs, trying to hang on with all my might. His absolute brutal strength stuns me.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Little Cub.” I hear the anger and hiss in his voice. Without warning, he jumps up and bucks backwards, landing me on my back with all his weight, knocking the breath right out of me. I have no choice but to tap this round.Damnit. .
A hand extends out to help me up, but I smack it away.
Romero taught me to never expect a fair fight: expect your opponent to be twice your size and twice as smart. Experiences are never fair, so you do what you can to protect yourself.
Fury bubbles inside me. I get up and adjust myself, readying myself for round two with the ambition that he’s going down and not gracefully. Clenching my hands into fists, feeling my nails bite into my skin, I don’t give him a chance. In a rage, I rush him and I aim my punches to his abdomen and sides. I’m a force of power, fierce, unstoppable. His body takes my hits and jabs, but in one movement, he grabs one of my hands and twists behind my back.
“Anger does you no good,” he whispers in my ear, roughly nipping it. Throwing my head back, I knock him off balance, and he stumbles back. Seeing my chance, I plant a front kick to his chest and side swept his leg from underneath him. His body strikes the ground like dead weight, laying him flat on his back. I spider crawl my way up his body, straddling him, locking my lower arm onto his throat. I apply pressure against his throat, limiting his air intake.
“I quite like this position; I might have to take advantage of it in bed soon.” I wink at him, and he taps my side, struggling for air. I release my arms and stand up, circling around him. He coughs a bit to regain his composure.
“All tied up, brother,” Memphis shouts, and Keola’s interest is peaked. Keola hasn’t said anything since we started, but the smirk on his face gives me a bit more satisfaction of taking Alexander down. He watches carefully, analyzing every movement.