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Delaney turns to look at Violet at the same time Jacob throws a right hook, hitting his distracted target.
CHAPTER 22
DELANEY
“What the fuck was that?”
“Delaney, are you okay?”
Voices surround me, but I can’t tell who’s talking so I shake my head to clear the fog. My vision is blurry, and I blink rapidly to bring my world back into focus faster. Once the room stops spinning, I realize I’m lying on my back.
Sparring… proving myself… Jacob.
“Oomph.” I sit up as Violet and Abyss crouch beside me. Abyss shines a light in my eyes, and I push his hand away from my face. “I’m fine.”
“What the hell were you thinking?” Skye yells, and Rogue wraps his arms around her waist to keep her from charging.
“That was a fucking cheap shot, Jacob, and you know it,” Cece adds.
Jacob puts his arms up in the air. “I swear it was an acc?—”
Crunch.
Blood sprays all over the mat from the punch that Thorn delivers to Jacob’s nose.
“I’ll fucking kill you!” Thorn threatens, but Soul pulls him back before he can land another blow.
Thorn breaks from Soul’s hold, and I scramble to my feet. Malice tries to grab me as I push between Thorn and Jacob, but I dodge him.
“STOP!” I holler. “It wasn’t his fault.”
Everyone gets eerily quiet and stares at me. I can feel the bruises forming from the hits I’ve taken today. I’m not going to complain, though. I’ve had a lot of pent-up energy, and my sexcapades with Thorn helped, but fighting is more cathartic.
“He fucking hit you without warning,” Thorn argues. “You weren’t paying attention.”
“It was an accident, Thorn.” I shrug. “I knew he was there. We were sparring, for Christ’s sake. I let myself get distracted when Violet said ‘nutsack’.”
“I am so sorry,” Violet says softly. “I was translating for Grim, and?—”
“It’s fine,” I assure her as I squeeze her hand and shake my head. “Really, it was my fault. If TJ were here, he’d kick my ass for letting Jacob get the jump on me. I know better, but shit happens.”
“Who the fuck is TJ?”
“My trainer and pseudo-brother, I guess.”
“Oh, great, another one of those relationships,” Malice mumbles, and Apple elbows him in the gut.
I lift my brow in question, and Mark stands behind Malice with a conspiratory smile on his face.
Oh, Mark and Apple. No wonder Malice is always cranky.
“He could’ve seriously hurt you, De, and it would’ve been my fault,” Violet reiterates.
Carmella narrows her eyes and points at all the men. “They never should’ve let things go this far. I understand you all wanted her to prove she could handle herself, but was this really necessary?” The men have enough sense to look down sheepishly. “And I heard you had her go up against Grim, for fuck’s sake.”
All the ladies nod, except Jez and Skye. They both look at me with shock and respect. I stood against their Enforcer. Yeah, he might have won, but I held my own and showed them all that it doesn’t matter how small I am, I can defend myself. Besides my parents and Daphne, I’ve never had anyone in my corner. All these women are angry on my behalf, but I can’t let them fight with their men over this. I asked for this… No one forced me into the ring.
“Delaney, I’m really sorry.” Jacob winces as Abyss finishes packing his nose.