Page 21 of Thorns of Blood

“My twin is a dreamer.”

I frowned. “There are two of you? That’s dangerous.”

She threw her head back and her bell-like laughter filled the space once more. Then she slid off the table, landing on her feet gracefully, and closed the distance between us.

Her voice was rough, whispers of sorrow dancing in her expressive eyes. “You have no idea.”

She brought her thumb to my cheek and skimmed it softly while I watched her, fascinated. She was unlike any woman I’d ever met.

When she walked past me, the scent of wildflowers lingered behind, and she never looked back.

EIGHT

LIANA

Present

Amara’s surgery was happening today.

The fear I hated feeling crept into my heart and soul, threatening to suffocate me.

It was the reason I insisted José train with me today. I needed to relieve this tension before I went to see her. My daughter had an uncanny way of detecting people’s emotions, and I couldn’t have her pick up on anything being wrong.

My mother had taught me from a young age that fighting was the way to work through one’s emotions. My twin hated it, and me… Well, I got used to it. It wasn’t as if I had a choice.

“Again,” I ordered, breathing heavily. Crouching down, my body poised to fight, I watched José circle me from my position in the middle of the mat.

My skin was wet with sweat and probably a little bit of blood too.

He grunted, shaking his head in disapproval as he crossed the mat of my private gym and sprinted toward me.

I kept still, anticipating his charge, but just as he was about to make contact, I leapt to the side, spinning around and hooking my arm around his throat, throwing my body down.

I quickly released, landing on his side as José hit the mat hard. His head bounced off the hardwood, and for a brief second, he didn’t move.

I stilled as worry swarmed me, but then unexpectedly, a rough laugh vibrated from his chest.

“You’re getting too good at this,” he said. “You’re kicking my butt at every turn.”

“Good.” I breathed in deep, trying to steady the chaotic thump of my heart as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. “The point is to become invincible.”

He shot me a worried look as he leveled himself up onto his elbows, quirking one dark brow my way.

“Nobody is ever invincible, Boss.” I needed to be the strongest. For my own peace of mind and for Amara’s protection. When I didn’t answer, he added, “You’re a bit distracted today.” He was right, of course, not that I’d admit that to him. “You’re not worried about Amara’s surgery, are you? Or is it our guest?”

I was worried sick about the surgery, even more about how Amara’s biological mother would fare from it, but it did no good to dwell on it. My daughter was my priority.

“No, not worried. Just thinking about business,” I said back, grabbing my towel and rubbing it across my brow. I slipped into my slides and swiped my water bottle, taking a couple of healthy gulps.

He remained quiet and dipped his head, watching me stride out of the gym and make my way through the manor toward my bedroom.

I stopped by Amara’s room, surprised to find her awake and staring at a blank TV screen. She’d been sleeping more often than not these days.

“What’s the matter, treasure?” I asked, stepping inside. My bare feet were silent against the polished floor. “Do you need me to put a show on?”

Amara shook her head weakly, her short curls barely moving, and my chest squeezed. That fucking doctor better fix this or I’d end him and his entire family.

I took a seat on the chair next to her hospital bed, taking her small, cold hand in mine. “Why are you staring off into space?”