Page 114 of Precious Legacy

After changing into our workout gear, we head to the gymnasium where the familiar blue mats are dotted around the large room. Our footsteps echo as we all move into the space. There’s a nervous energy penetrating the atmosphere, and for some reason, it puts me on edge.

“We’ve got a new trainer,” Savannah tells me while trying to suppress her excited little squeal.

“Do we know who?”

Savannah shrugs, but a second later, my answer comes in the form of booted footsteps entering the room. The room falls into a state of silent awe as all eyes lock on the new trainer in front of us.

With jet black hair pulled back into a ponytail, deep blue eyes that look meaner than they actually are, and a no-nonsense expression, Lexie Lopez means business. She spots me instantly, her lips pulling into a gentle smirk before she schools her features again. I don’t even know what I was expecting, butthiswasn’t it.

“Right, class!” she bellows to the group, thrusting her hands on her hips. “I’ll be your training officer for defense tactics and maneuvers for the next three months. If you think your previous trainer was hard on you, well… you’re in for a treat.”

Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me, but the same can’t be said for the remainder of the group. A couple of guys behind me are sniggering at something. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it doesn’t matter because my aunt already has them in her sights. Her eyes narrow and she points to one of them who I recognizeas Jasper Keller. He’s always got something to say; always thinks he’s better than everyone. In a way, he reminds me of Roman, only less good looking and more arrogant.

Keller has a smirk on his face as he steps up to the mat. I already know what’s about to go down, and if I didn’t know my aunt so well, I’d bet money on him winning against her. But if there’s one thing I know about Lexie, it’s that she can put up a good fight. I’ve heard the stories about the altercations she used to get into with uncle Trigger even before they were together. My uncle isn’t exactly small, but my aunt has the skills to floor him, and she’s done so many times.

Snapping my head to the side, I raise my brow at Savannah.

“My money’s on Lopez,” she whispers, rubbing her hands together.

I smile at how hopeful she is, knowing for a fact my aunt is about to wipe the floor with a guy almost twice her size. “Mine too,” I whisper back just as Lexie tells Keller to show her what he’s got.

She curls her hand in a ‘come at me’ motion, and that’s the only invitation before Keller lunges for her. She swivels around him seamlessly, kicking her foot backwards and making contact with his ass.

The class erupts into laughter and cheers, but the fight isn’t over. Keller goes again, raising his fists, this time swinging for her face. Lexie dodges him effortlessly, grabbing his wrist and pulling it behind his back. She swipes his legs out, just like Prescott taught us, except she doesn’t let Keller fall on his face. She twists him around at the last second, so he lands on the mat softly.

“What’s rule number one?” she asks as she hovers over him, knee pressing into his chest.

“Never underestimate your opponent,” Keller huffs. Even though he just got his ass kicked, I can see how impressed he iswith Lexie. I never thought in a million years she’d be training people, let alonehere.Sure, she trained me for a few years and she’s a natural at it, but re-inserting herself in this life, much less the academy, was the last thing I imagined she’d do.

Shaking her head, she pulls Keller back to his feet. “Wrong!Respectyour opponent. because that’s the difference between life and death.” She pats Keller on the back and sends him back into the group.

Most of the class is still amazed by what they just saw, but me? I’m still in shock that she’s even here. She must spot my surprise because she calls me over once she’s sent the class into practice drills.

Running over, I resist the urge to hug her. I haven’t seen her for a few weeks, and seeing her today has reminded me I’ve missed checking in with her. Her warm smile comforts that guilt, though.

“What are you doing here?”

“Heard there was a job opening,” she shrugs, turning to face the class.

Ah shit.The guilt returns. “I’m sorry, Lexie,” I mumble. “About the apartment.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, her brows furrowed. I’ve always been able to tell what my aunt is thinking because we’re so similar, but right now I can’t make out whether she’s pissed about the apartment, or that I’ve apologized for it.

“Are you alive?” she questions abruptly.

“Yes,” I answer, completely confused by her question.

“Then fuck the apartment,” she mutters. “It was old anyway.”

She’s not wrong there, but I’d come to love that place. It was my safe space, a place I could finally breathe without my father giving me disappointed glares all the time. The place has had good memoriesandbad, but I’ll always love that apartment.

For a minute, we lull into a comfortable silence, watching the class throw each other to the ground. It feels like my world has done a complete one-eighty. I’ve gone from feeling like a constant embarrassment to my father, to being supported and protected by The Five. Even though Prescott’s disappearance still lingers in the back of my mind, having Lexie here has encouraged a new hope to form.

“So, defense tactics, huh?”

Lexie nudges me with her hip, a soft smile curving her mouth. “It’s the only way I could keep an eye on you.”

FORTY-FOUR

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