Page 79 of Ruthless God

I quickly moved up to Massimo’s side when a low yell from the back sounded out.

He wrapped his arms around me and leaned down to say, “Don’t look so worried. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. No one would even dare to look at you.”

And that was the truth. I didn’t think any man had looked at me since I entered the gym, though I was sure they were aware of me here.

They all greeted Massimo with a respectful bow but otherwise stayed out of his way. This was the first time I’d seen him interact with his men, and it was true. The rumors.

They were all afraid of him.

“Do we really have to be here?” I asked. I had never worked out a single day in my life. My muscles were nonexistent, and I felt… lacking somehow, for even being here, in the workout clothes that Massimo had thought to order for me.

It didn’t help that there were no women here.

Perhaps if this were a normal gym, I would see other women working out, but this gym was owned by Massimo’s youngest brother, Matteo, and it was a place other made men frequented to get in shape and become… intimidating.

“Yes,principessa.”

“But your home gym…”

“It doesn’t have what I need.”

“What do you need?”

Massimo led me into another room. He gently moved me forward until I was facing a huge boxing ring, which was occupied.

By both Elio and Matteo.

They were in the middle of a fighting match, and, brothers or not, it looked like no one was holding back.

I turned toward Massimo when Elio got Matteo in the face, causing the other man’s head to fly back, although he didn’t fall.

I had never gotten used to the sight of violence. And I didn’t think I would ever get used to it, no matter what.

“Should we be here?” I asked loud enough for Massimo to hear me. “It looks like your brothers are… using it.”

He smiled a little but didn’t respond. Instead, he let out a loud whistle, causing the fight to come to a stop and both brothers to turn to us.

They looked at Massimo first, then to me, their gaze staying.

I knew I should get used to them, but I didn’t think there would ever be a time when I didn’t find Massimo’s brothers to be intimidating as hell, especially Elio, who looked like his face might crack if he so much as smiled.

At least Matteo was smiling at me.

“They’re going to help me,” Massimo said, pressing his lips to the side of my head.

I blinked.

“Help you with what?”

“Training you.”

“Training me?”

“Yes. I need to make sure you know what to do in case things get bad. And being married to me? That could happen.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think…” My eyes moved over to his brothers. They were silently watching us. “I don’t think I need it. You’ll protect me.”

And wouldn’t that be true? I didn’t know when it happened, but I did trust Massimo to protect me, no matter what.