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It’s a sparring room.

Fully fucking equipped.

Sleek dark mats cover the floors, punching bags hang heavy from reinforced beams, weapon racks gleam against the far wall, mirrors lining one side like a brutal confession. The entire space smells like leather, steel, and adrenaline. Like violence waiting to happen.

"You built me a fight room?"

"Builtusone," Bodhi corrects. "You needed an outlet. So we gave you one."

I cross my arms. "How thoughtful. You plan to throw yourselves at my fists until I calm down?"

Matteo’s voice is low, unreadable. "If that’s what it takes."

The silence that follows hums with a different kind of violence. My hands twitch at my sides. It’s been too long since I hit something for the fun of it.

I tilt my head slowly. "And if I win?"

"You won’t," Bodhi says smoothly.

"Youwantto lose," I counter.

Matteo steps into my space, close but not crowding. His voice brushes against me like a challenge wrapped in silk.

"We want to earn our place again. However you make us do it."

My pulse stutters, then catches fire.

I don’t answer.

I just smile—a slow, dangerous baring of teeth—and step onto the mat.

If they want forgiveness, they’re going to have to bleed for it.

And God help them, I’m in the mood to make them.

Chapter 44

Seanna

Thematiscoolunder my bare feet. The air isn’t. It’s charged—hot and electric with the promise of violence.

Matteo cracks his neck to one side while Bodhi circles behind me, smug, and already radiating too much heat.

"Rules?" I ask, voice dry. "Or are we going full chaos today?"

"One-on-one," Matteo replies, stretching his shoulders, slow and deliberate. "Only one of us engages at a time. No interference. No pile-ons. Unless you ask nicely."

I roll my eyes. "Cute. And what's the wager?"

Bodhi steps forward, smirking. "You lose? Twenty-four hours. No complaints. No fighting us on decisions. You keep that sharp mouth shut andwait."

"And if I win?"

Matteo’s eyes narrow just slightly. “Then we do it your way. For twenty-four hours, you call the shots.”

"Deal," I say without hesitation.

Bodhi moves first.