Page 76 of Villainous Kingpin

I huffed but couldn’t stop from smiling. He really was the most reckless man I’d ever met, but he had a heart of gold underneath that big chest. Any woman would be lucky to have him.

I turned my back to him as he continued changing. There was a limit to how much I should gawk.

“Do your tattoos mean anything, Sasha?” I asked, staring at the sparring mats he had all over his gym. He had punching bags in the far corner, even fencing equipment, and then one whole wall full of knives. Kind of disturbing but there was no way I’d complain.

I wanted to learn how to fight and how to defend myself successfully. I’d never be vulnerable again.

“Some of them I got when I was in the military,” Sasha answered.

“I didn’t know mobsters joined the military.”

His chuckle filled the space behind me. “You’d be surprised to know how far our reach is.”

Something had been on my mind ever since Sasha brought me to his place. It was stupid, but I almost expected Bas to find me. After all, he was able to wipe out surveillance and all related evidence of us burning down Garrett’s house. So theoretically, he should be able to find me.

“Okay, I’m decent,” Sasha announced, his voice directly behind me.

I slowly turned around and met those remarkable eyes. I truly hoped he knew how grateful I was for his help. For everything.

“Sasha,” I started hesitantly and he waited, as if he knew something big would come out of my mouth. “Has anyone… has anyone been looking for me?”

He stilled, his eyes sharp on me. “Like who?”

I still hadn’t given him a name. I’d never give him a name, though deep down I knew he guessed.

“Anyone,” I whispered.

“No.”

The longing in my heart ached. It actually hurt worse than all my bruises. And while my cuts and bruises healed, the ache in my heart didn’t. It became part of my heartbeat. And my mind whispered things I didn’t want to admit. Bas had used me. He didn’t give a shit about me, otherwise he’d have searched for me.

Even more worrisome was that I shot his father. So far, no retaliation had happened. Uncle had placed extra security on everyone. Whether it was a result of Davina’s kidnapping, I was unsure.

“Uncle and my friends are safe?” I asked. I debated for weeks whether I should warn them, because there was a chance what I had done could cause my family to be dragged into a war. Except, I didn’t know how to say it without risking Basilio’s life.

Disgusted at myself for even caring whether he lived or died, I felt like I betrayed my own family each day I kept this secret.

“They are safe, Wyn,” Sasha said, his eyes watching me and seeing too much. The man was too insightful. It was probably what kept him safe, but in my case, it was scary.

I forced a smile and gave a terse nod. “Let’s get started.”

I ran my miles in this gym. I worked my ballet and Pilates here. Even my choreography. The only thing I couldn’t do here was ice skate, but I didn’t dare go back to the ice rink. It was too risky.

Sasha handed me the knife he’d made especially for me.

I took a breath and tried to forget everything, gripping it tightly. I focused on Sasha’s instructions.

“Keep eye contact. Don’t look in the direction you’re aiming for. Put all your muscle into it. Aim for the kill.”

“You give too many instructions,” I muttered my complaint and then advanced on him. Just as he made a grab for me, I aimed for a kick between his legs.

He chuckled. “That’s right. Don’t play fair,” he praised, though unfortunately he caught my foot before I could make contact.

I landed on my back with a heavy thud while my breath swished out of me. I thanked all the saints that Sasha’s mats were cushioned so well, otherwise it would have hurt.

I stared at the skylight ceiling, the clear blue sky of his penthouse gym room giving me a glimpse of a gorgeous day outside. So in contrast with how I felt on the inside.

Two weeks. It felt like a lifetime of changes were crammed into two weeks.