Page 9 of Die for You

She thinks she’s got off scot-free now that Aldo is dead. But I know the truth. Ironically, she trained me, and now, I’m her rival.

What a silly move on her behalf because I know her strategies. I know the way she fights. And I know how she conducts business. I could ruin her with my eyes closed, but I won’t because she will always have one up on me.

Valentina is her secret weapon.

That’s the reason she adopted us both. I was always meant to be Gianna’s insurance policy.

It all makes sense now why Aldo wanted to adopt Valentina first. He knew this would happen. He knew the power she would hold. And Valentina isn’t even aware of the power she wields.

I’m stuck between my head and my heart. I save the woman I love, sacrificing myself because, without solid evidence that Gianna is her mother, Valentina will kill me for insinuating such a thing.Or I go up against her and leave it to fate and let the better man win.

She knows how I fight.

As I know how she does.

There will be no winners.

Just a blood feud that will stem for years because neither of us will back down.

I tried to save her, but now…I must save us both because I won’t give up on her. Just like when we were kids down by the lake, I will push her to the point of breaking in hopes she sees the truth.

And in the meantime, I hope Bria doesn’t kill her first.

“Get up,” I order, turning around.

Bria sits with her knees drawn up to her chest, cuddling Cat. Her eyes are bloodshot, her pink hair thrown into a limp ponytail. She’s wearing an oversized tee and no shoes. I understand she’s grieving, but there’s no better way to get over pain than by facing it head-on.

“We’re going to fight.”

That gets her attention, and she finally meets my eyes. Something inside her has changed. Bria was never innocent. But the way she views the world has changed. Losing her father will shape Bria into someone she never thought she’d become.

But death does that.

And so does revenge.

Soon, nothing else will matter than avenging her father and righting all the wrongs done to her and her legacy, and the first person in her sights will be Valentina.

Valentina knows how to fight and will beat Bria with her eyes closed. I need Bria to be able to defend herself because she’s on my side.

Valentina chose her side, and it’s not mine. So, for now, Bria and I fight together to bring down the woman I love in hopes to save her.

“Don’t make me ask you again.”

She doesn’t have the energy to fight, and her curiosity gets the better of her when she stands.

“Leave Cat.”

She does as I say.

We walk in silence through the house until we reach the basement. But this isn’t any typical basement. This is a martial arts sanctuary.

It’s decked out in heavy bags, sparring gear, and every weapon needed to train a skilled fighter.

Scanning over the weaponry on the brick wall, I reach for the rattan kali sticks. Something easy to test her skills.

I toss it at Bria, who catches it with confusion in her eyes.“To survive, we must fight. We must fight with our heads, not our hearts,” I say, circling her.

She turns with me, ensuring her back is never turned. But she leaves herself open, which is her first lesson. I whack her in the ribs.