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She stares at it for a beat and just when I think she’ll refuse, she slides her palm into mine. Her hands are much smaller, softer than mine. And yet somehow they fit perfectly. I hold on to her tight as I lead her downstairs to the training grounds near one of the annexed houses.

We’re both silent as we walk toward the gym. I know she must be taking it all in since I haven’t brought her here since she came to the house. I just didn’t want her getting exposure to my men. I push open the doors to the gym.

There’s a couple of my capos inside, training. The fighting ring is empty though. they all stop their actions to stand up at our arrival, some of them bowing their heads in respect. My gaze brushes over them for a second before I fall to a stop, turning to face Cassie.

“What is this place?” she asks in a murmur, taking a look around.

“Training facilities for my men,” I reply simply. “You like it?”

This place stinks of testosterone,” she says with a small sniff.

I chuckle lowly at that.

“What are we doing here?”

“We’re here,” I drawl, stepping towards the ring, “Because you need some form of release, sweetheart.”

She blinks, following me. “I don’t follow.”

“Repressing emotions is unhealthy, Cassie,” I try again.

She frowns, “I’m not repressing anything.”

I inwardly sigh. I knew she wasn’t going to admit it. but that’s fine. I’m not going to force her to do that. I beckon for her to climb into the ring, stretching a hand out to help her up. I can feel my men’s eyes on us but I ignore them in favor of the woman in front of me.

She doesn’t seem to be able to block them out as easily though.

“Hey, just focus,” I say softly.

“On what? What are we doing, Damien?” she questions.

“Focus on me,” I tell her. “And we’re here to fight.”

Her brows furrow in confusion.

“What do you mean fight?”

“I mean fight,bella. You’re going to fight me,” I explain. “Usually getting in the ring provides me with some form of stress relief. I’m hoping it can do the same for you.”

“You want to fightme? Please tell me you’re joking. You have like 50 pounds of muscle on me. There’s no way I could beat you,” she scoffs.

“Actually, you’ll be the one doing most of the fighting. I have zero interest in hurting you. And the goal isn’t to beat me, sweetheart.”

Her lips twitch, her eyes growing lighter. “You’re going to stand there and let me punch you? You sure about that? I wouldn’t want to ruin your handsome face.”

“First off, you think I’m handsome,” I point out with a smile. She simply rolls her eyes. “Also, who told you, you’ll be able to land a punch,bella?”

Her eyes narrow with challenge, “My dad insisted I learn martial arts growing up so I could protect myself. I have a black belt in Judo, Damien. Do not underestimate me.”

“I know about your black belt, Cassie. I haven’t forgotten about your attempt to take me down the other day. Now are you going to come at me or not?”

She blushes but quickly shakes it off. Determination etches onto her face. She gets into fighting position, and I steel myself for the coming attack. She shifts her weight to the side in an obvious feint before lunging. I duck out of the way, and she stumbles at the redirection.

When she looks at me her eyes are blazing. I almost laugh. There’s my girl.

“Again,” I say, keeping my face blank.

We play a sort of game over the next ten minutes. Cassie tries to attack me, each time with more ferocity than the last. She strikes, I dodge. She gets angrier.