know.”
“Like what?” Jared said, dubious.
“How to shoot a gun, for instance…and basic self-defense wouldn’t hurt.”
Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. “A gun isn’t going to help you in this particular situation, Sweetheart, much less a solid knee to the groin.”
“You don’t think I can do it.”
“Why would you need to when you have me?”
“What if you’re busy?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You mean too busy to do my job? The one that includes protecting the love of my life from certain death?”
He was trying to scare me, but I stood my ground, determined to prove my case. “Do I have to remind you of the night at the restaurant? Claire stayed behind while you took care of business?”
“That’s different. I would’ve never left you if Claire hadn’t been there.”
“If I had known how to shoot a gun I could have helped. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Teaching you just enough to make you dangerous is not helping. It gives you the impression that you’re capable of more than you actually are.”
My mouth fell open. “Now that’s just insulting. Do you really see me as helpless?”
Jared laughed once, amused. “No. Definitely not, but we’re not dealing with Graham, anymore, Nina. Others are an enemy you don’t want to piss off by shooting at.”
“Fine,” I said, a fake smile tightening my face. “I’ll have Bex or Claire teach me. She’s offered before.”
Jared clenched his teeth. “Neither of them will do it without my explicit permission, and if they do, you’re going to start something you can’t take back.”
“That’s not
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Jared said, slowing as he pulled into the drive.
“Probably not, no,” I said. Jared huffed in frustration. “It’s just that I…it’s suffocating being in your shadow. According to you, my life is constantly in danger, and I have to wait for you to save me. It would be nice to know if for whatever reason I’m alone, I can do something to protect myself.”
Jared’s eyes met mine, and then he nodded once. “Okay. We’ll start Saturday.”
Chapter Eleven
Favor
Jared lessons were not easy. Where I caught a break from him, Bex pushed me further. When I wasn’t at school or Titan, the three of us were in the field by the Oak Tree, aiming, punching, blocking, ducking, attacking and subduing. It was mentioned more than once that I was a fast learner, and Bex said that I was a natural with any gun they put in my hand.
Jared didn’t agree. He thought I was clumsy, slow, and impatient.
Sleep came more easily than ever. Every night, I fell into bed, my muscles screaming for rest. Dreams of Jack were replaced with calculated moves and steps I would take to get the upper hand in hand-to-hand combat. Jared would tend to my sore spots. Regardless of his efforts, the area would inevitably be a series of purple splotches in the morning.
The weeks passed, and once the trees shed their leaves, Winter wasted no time covering the debris of Fall with a blanket of white. Ignoring Cynthia’s protests, the boys moved the furniture in the Great Room to transform it to a sparring ring.
The target practice, weight training, and sparring was nearly a daily ritual. Jared and Bex were always present. Once Claire caught wind of our new hobby, she came when she could. I always looked forward to the days she would join us.
Claire was more than capable to do everything her brothers could, but I related to her with the knowledge that she had to work that much harder to prove herself. I would never be as fast or as strong as the Hybrids, but I earned their respect with my stubborn refusal to quit or rest. Claire understood my resolve, and when she looked at me, she assumed strength when the boys assumed weakness.
The mirror was proof of not only my mistakes from the bruises, but my hard work. My arms weren’t nearly as tight as Claire’s, but they were taking on a toned look that I was proud of.
The day before Thanksgiving, Jared finally offered his first word of encouragement.
“Better,” he said with an emotionless nod.
That single word gave me the determination to continue. I was only human, but if I could keep up with Jared, Claire, and Bex, I could hold my own with Donovan, or Shax’s other human minions. At least I could try.
Thanksgiving Day arrived. Cynthia attended the Macy’s Day parade in New York with some of her charity chums, and I helped Claire and Lillian in the kitchen while the boys set the table and kept the dishes washed.
Every one of my favorite spices and herbs permeated the air. Laughter was the background music to the busy atmosphere. Lillian noticed a difference in me right away, and wanted to discuss my training. She took a keen interest in it, wishing she had thought of it as well.
Bex set the turkey on the table, and sat beside his mother. Claire grabbed one of my hands, Jared took the other.
“Our Lord in Heaven,” Lillian began. “Thank you for our many blessings. The wonderful food on the table, the health and safety of our family, and that we are all sitting together on this day of thanks.”
“Amen,” Jared said, nodding.
“Aye Men!” Bex said, digging into the various dishes on the table.
Part-way through dinner, I noticed Claire was quiet, thoughtfully chewing and smiling at the appropriate times in conversation. Jared of course noticed when I did, and he watched his sister.
“Claire?”
She met his eyes, but didn’t speak.
Lillian smiled. “She’s fine. Let her be.”
“This is good ladies,” Bex said, his mouth full of food.
“Thank you, Son,” Lillian said. “Jared? Would it be a good time to ask how much longer you’ll be engaged?”
“No,” Jared said, shaking his head with a smile. “I just got her to agree to set a date, Mom. Don’t ruin my hard work.”
I laughed. “She has a point.”
“She does?” Jared said, surprised.
I patted his knee. “My parents’ anniversary is on a Saturday this year.”
Lillian’s eyes brightened. “Oh, it is! How wonderful! June first, then?”
Jared turned to me, cautious. “June first?”
“It’s an easy date to remember,” I shrugged.
“Of this year?” Jared asked, cautiously hopeful.
Lillian and I shared the same boisterous laugh. “Yes, Honey. Seven months from now.”
The smile that crept across Jared’s face was slow, but it spanned from one side to the other. “June first.”
The conversation was monopolized by wedding plans after that, and the afternoon was filled with excitement and anticipation.
We said our goodbyes with kisses and hugs to Bex, Claire and Lillian, and then Jared led me to the Escalade by the hand. Once inside, he leaned over the console, took my face gingerly in his hands, and pressed his lips against mine.
When he finally pulled away, I felt a bit dizzy. A small twinge of guilt settled in. It was so easy to make him happy, and I had grossly procrastinated something so simple.
Jared drove slowly to the house, brushing my hand with his thumb as he held it. A storm had rolled in, and it
