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"What's the less bad news?" I asked, gesturing for him to continue.

His face split into a genuine grin. "I'm going to train you in self-defense. Since I've personally experienced your piss poor skills, I've got a good idea of where to start so you're not so useless."

I perked up, ignoring his teasing tone. "Really? You're going to teach me to fight?"

Az raked a hand through his hair. "I wouldn't say fight, exactly. You've got a decent swing, but you need to learn how to use it," he said, absently touching his nose as if it was still tender. "You'll at least be capable of getting away the next time someone makes a grab for you. By now, I think all of us have figured out you don't understand the gravity of the situation and have a tendency to run off like you're not in danger."

"Excuse me for spending the last twenty-eight years of my life being, ya know, safe." I snarked. "People didn't start trying to hurt me until you five showed up."

I didn't acknowledge that I'd have been in danger, anyway. The man Joey had interrogated had made it clear that I was a target with or without the guys, but my point was still valid.

"You'd have been in danger regardless, Princess. Worse, Rinaldo would probably have you locked up somewhere intent on keeping you barefoot and pregnant against your will. You're letting the fact you grew up rich and untouchable guide your actions, but you're not untouchable anymore."

"Just because I didn't grow up on the streets doesn't mean I was untouchable." I sneered. "Sure, my father didn't become the asshole he is now until after my mom died, but you're ignorant if you think because of a bit of kindness and caring, I wasn't a pawn in his game of power. Why do you think that I grew up with Benson? If I had married him, that would have inflated my father's power and reach. Even if this whole mess didn't exist and some mobster didn't think I was his property, I'd still have been locked away somewhere. I'd have been signed up for the same fate as the one you painted. The only difference would be the designer shoes."

"The thing you're missing here, Princess, is that you could walk away from that entitled prick. If Rinaldo gets his hands on you, you won't have that option." He replied in a steely tone.

"If you think I just walked away, you don't have the slightest clue how much of a cage I live in, despite how gilded it appears." I snorted, my mind slipping back to the texts I'd been receiving.

"Alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender, "I wasn't trying to insult you. I'm trying to help you, Princess. We'll all sleep better at night knowing you have at least some ability to keep yourself safe."

My mouth gaped open in shock. Az seemed to be making an effort to get along with me. It had started the day I accidentally punched him in the face, but it still shocked me.

Az leaned across the island and placed a finger under my chin, pushing my mouth closed. "Don't act so surprised, Princess. I told you, I'm not the 'Az-hole' that you've been dealing with. I've managed to work out most of my shit. We can work out what's left in the gym. Now, go get changed and meet me there in twenty."

Twenty-five minutes later, I was dressed in yoga pants, a sports bra, and sneakers, with my hair pulled into a bun. Az mayhave worked out most of his shit, but that didn't mean I didn't secretly enjoy pushing his buttons.

I expected to find him waiting in the gym, ready to berate me for my tardiness. Instead, he was shirtless, his back muscles and tattoos on full display as he lay into the punching bag along the far wall. My mind wandered back to the night in his club as I watched his muscles ripple with each blow he landed against the bag. The idea of training with him was starting to feel like some twisted form of torture.

"I can feel you staring, Princess." He laughed, halting his assault on the equipment and looking at me.

As he approached me, I could see his pointed stare at each of the marks I still bore from my night with Joey. His eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared as I heard the sharp intake of breath. I noted a tense flex of his arms and stomach and started preparing myself for some insult or remark.

"Before we start, you need to get warmed up, Princess." His voice was slightly husky and pitched low. "Hop on the treadmill."

My brow furrowed in confusion as he turned away and headed toward the sound system on the back wall. When he didn't throw an insult my way, I moved to the treadmill and started the machine. Rock music began to pour from the speakers built into the gym walls as I increased my pace. It wasn't what I usually listened to, but I let the faster pace help push me as I reached a slow jog.

After several minutes, I slowed to a stop and stepped off, turning to find Az's gaze on me with hooded eyes, like he was lost in thought.

"Now who's staring?" I asked with a smirk. He rolled his eyes and casually flipped me off. There wasn't any venom in the move, which made me laugh. Not for the first time, I noticed how much more relaxed he seemed these last few days.

"Alright, Princess, you're likely not going to be a bruiser to start with, but we can at least make sure that you're not easy prey." He motioned for me to join him in the center of the gym on some mats they'd set up. I moved to where he indicated and gave him a 'now what' look. "Do you know what the easiest weak points are on the human body?"

"Groin, but everyone knows that. Eyes, nose, throat, and knees if what I've seen in the movies works. And taking out your knees at the Gala seemed to work well enough." I said, shrugging.

"Good. It rarely works like in the movies, but those are good spots." He nodded his approval, rubbing his knee absently. "Depending on the situation, the ears, jaw, and Achilles tendon are also viable options."

"Are you going to run me through the lyrics of 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes' next? Because I'm fairly sure I remember it." I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Alright, smartass," He said, stepping forward to be within arm's reach. "Give me your best shot."

"What?" I sputtered.

"You heard me, Princess. Hit me. You've got a decent punch, but I promise I've been hit harder. And I know you've wanted to punch me more than once. This is your free shot." He smirked and took another step forward.

"Well… if I'm going to be honest about it. When I hit you in the face before… I was aiming for your shoulder." I said sheepishly.

He stared at me, expressionless for a second, before a grin split his face, and roaring laughter bounced through the room. He doubled over, raising his hand as if to say 'wait,' but just laughed. I glared at him and bit the inside of my cheek, waiting for him to regain his composure. Once he was upright again, wiping away a tear in his eye, I flipped him off.