Page 29 of Upon Blooded Lips (Vengeance #1)

TESSA

T he Duke’s fist slams into my stomach, and I fly backward, crashing onto the padded floor of the boxing ring. Pain and exhaustion war within me as I stare up at the ceiling, doing my best to suck in air after she knocked the breath out of me.

Six weeks. Six weeks of planning, of learning how to drive, of how to take apart, load, and handle a gun. Six weeks of getting the shit kicked out of me while Kerry—I’m the only one allowed to call her that—dismantles me piece by piece to build me into a better, stronger, smarter version of myself.

Six weeks of putting my body through hell. Six weeks of having so much information thrown at me I’m worried my brain will melt. Six weeks of falling into bed every night so exhausted that I black out until morning when I have to drag my aching body out of bed and do it all over again.

And six fucking weeks since Nate and Eric have touched me.

How fucking dare they. How dare they bring me to life, show me what I’ve been missing, awaken this…

this ravenous thing inside me that hungers for their touch, only to then ignore me?

Ugh. Okay, I know they aren’t ignoring me.

Eric’s been busy setting electronic plans in motion while Nate’s been teaching me about guns.

And it turns out he’s an exceptional teacher.

Patient, understanding, steady. But my God, when he had those hands on me, showing me how to stand, breathe, hold…

I wanted to show him some moves I’ve learned and toss him to the ground and fuck him into the floor.

Kerry moves into my line of vision and raises a brow.

“Get up.” How am I supposed to do that when I still can’t breathe?

“Is this it? Are you giving up? Poor little Tessa. She was too weak to survive. Her abusers will ride off into the sunset and live their best lives, drinking champagne and toasting to her failure.”

My eyes narrow, and a spark of fury lances through my chest. “Fuck you,” I gasp out.

The Duke grins. “There she is.” She reaches a hand out, and I grab it, finding myself back on my feet faster than a politician changes their mind. I rest my hands on my knees, sucking in air. “Again,” she orders, and I shake out my arms before taking a defensive stance.

This time, I swing back.

The doorbell rings, and I race through the hallway and clatter down the stairs before tearing the door open.

Bob, one of Kerry’s men, gives me what I can only describe as a stoic smile and hands me two boxes.

“Thanks,” I say, slipping him the hundred-dollar bill I won from Nate.

It wasn’t easy bribing him to hole up in the gate cottage to wait for my delivery, but losing a hundred dollars was worth it.

After closing and locking the door, I jog up the stairs and slam my door shut.

Thank God Nate and Eric never put a camera in my room. Girls need their secrets, after all.

When they told me last week they’d be out all day today on a job, I took my chance to set my plan in motion.

I begged The Duke to take her men and spend the night in a hotel.

She made me spill my secret, and after she stopped laughing and dried her eyes, she agreed.

She really doesn’t want to be here for it, and honestly, neither do I.

If the boys decide to play along, things might get a little…

spicy. I don’t need her witnessing that.

I dampen my lips with my tongue and rip open the boxes, upending the contents on my bed.

I do a little happy dance, excitement and a little frisson of fear lighting up my veins.

Am I really ready for this? I think so. I’m going to fucking try, anyway.

With their help, I just might be able to wrest clear of my past and free myself from the chains placed on me by my uncle.

I laugh at my dramatics and sort through all the purchases I made with the bank account they gave me. The masks are perfect, and the outfit? That should help spur things along.

A text pings my phone, and I glance down at it, my lips curving into a smile.

The Duke

We’re outta here. Have fun tonight.

Are you ready for me, boys? Let the hunt begin.