KINSLEY
Day one…complete.
My only goal at this very moment is to get the fuck out of this place.
I stuff my things in my backpack in such a rush and without a care that the wrinkles may never come out of my uniform. But I can’t think of that right now. Edge and Kade weren’t far behind me after I bolted out of class, so I know they’re nearby. Too close. I put my helmet on, lock down all curiosities, and refrain from seeking him out to steal one last glance at Edge. For some messed-up reason, it’s equally difficult to ignore him as it is to feel drawn to him.
“Get a fucking grip, Kinsley.” The demand to myself is muffled in my helmet. I start the engine and kick it into gear. Weaving through the parking lot until I reach the open, large iron gates, I don’t wait in line to pull out onto the main road. I slip behind the car at the front and pull onto the road without even looking to see if it’s clear.
A semi coming up fast behind me blows its throaty horn. I pull hard on the throttle, reeling out the engine before shifting into the next gear. Tearing away, I’m gone before there’s everany real danger. Still, the thrill rockets through me. Adrenaline makes an easy excuse for why my heart is threatening to beat out of my chest.
But if I’m honest with myself, that’s all Edge’s doing.
Twenty minutes later, I pull into the parking lot of Serpent’s Spear Dojo. Through the window, I see my uncle has a class in session. Instead of the usual stench of sweat that usually hits me when I enter, pungent perfumes assault and tickle my nose. The sickly scents of flowers, sweet musk, and fruits blend nauseatingly. My uncle guides the class of older women in a sequence of punches and kicks. Most are kicking serious ass. The ones not kicking ass are busy checking out my uncle. Older guys aren’t my thing, but I guess he's good-looking as far as men go.
He glances in my direction, holds up a hand, and indicates a three and a zero, showing how many minutes they have left in the class. Poor guy has another half hour to get eye-fucked.
I toss my backpack on the floor of the office. Luca texted me just as I left school, saying he had to cancel our training today. By all the sad emoji faces, I know he isn’t happy about it either. Of all days for him not to show really sucks. I need my best friend today.
I stretch to work out the tension in my shoulders and back that has only knotted more as the day went on. Then I tape my knuckles to minimize the abuse I’m preparing to put them through. My mind keeps wandering to the guy with stormy eyes. He warned me he would become my nightmare. He also made it very clear he won’t go easy on me. So far, he’s lived up to his word. Shit. Shit. Shit.I refuse to become one of those girls who turns stupid over some guy. I need to keep my head straight.
There’s no way to prepare for who I would be going up against, but Venom—in particular, Ledger Hunt—will be more of a challenge than I initially thought. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m not sure what I thought—or if I even thoughtabout it at all. My ego and overall goal to bring them down clouded everything else. Either way, it doesn’t matter now. I’ve committed, and I’m not backing out. I just need to find a way to crack through his asshole exterior.
The collective shout of “Yes, sensei!” and then chatter from the main room signal that the session has ended. I peek around the corner. A few women gather around my uncle, grinning and giggling like schoolgirls. Uncle Trey plays along, then eventually walks the last two to the door, locking it behind them.I come out of the office.
“Hey, you,” he says.
“Hey.” The word comes off flatter than a day-old can of leftover soda.
“That good, huh?”
I need to show some enthusiasm, even if it’s a thread, so I use the teasing approach. “Not as good as your skills with the ladies.”
He chuckles. “They’re just women trying to stay in shape.”
“Cougars is the term you’re looking for.” The joking takes my mind off some of the shit I endured today.
He laughs as he folds up one of the mats, propping it in the corner. “So, how was your first day?”
There’s no way I can give him the full load of my new hell. So, I go with the easy way out: lying. “Yeah, it was good. Met a couple of cool people.” I toss Eden in that couple, hoping she’ll come around.
“Good. Glad to hear it. I’m sure each day will get easier.”
“Yeah.” Another lame response and lie.If I listen to any of Edge’s warnings, I just lived my easiest day at Monarch University. Rolling my shoulders and neck, I shake off the tension and all thoughts of the asshole.
Uncle Trey picks up his water bottle and takes a long drink. “What’s your poison today?”
“I’m going to hit the bag for a while.”
He glances around. “Wait, I thought Luca was coming?”
“He had to cancel.”
He shakes his head. “That sucks. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, it does.”
My uncle waves his arms around the empty space. “Well, it looks like you have the place to yourself. So, have at it.”
