"Boss wants to see you," he said, his gaze flicking to me."Says it's urgent."

I frowned."Levi?What's wrong?"

Garrett shook his head."Didn't say.Just asked me to bring you down to the training room."

I exchanged a glance with Zane, who shrugged."Go.I'll keep working on damage control here."

I followed Garrett down to the training room, my stomach in knots.Levi was pacing with his hands stuffed in his pockets when I walked in.His expression was dark.The moment I stepped inside, his gaze snapped to me, and I felt the air shift.

"What's going on?"I asked, crossing my arms.

He stopped pacing and turned to me, his eyes scanning my face."Dante's making his move.We need to be ready."

"Ready for what?"

"For anything," he said grimly."And that includes making sure you can defend yourself."

I blinked, my initial irritation flaring."Levi, I don't have time for this.I'm in the middle of trying to save your career."

"And I'm trying to save your life," he snapped.His eyes burned with an intensity that made my breath catch."Dante isn't playing games anymore, Krista.If he thinks you're a threat, he'll come after you.I'm not taking that risk."

His words hung heavy in the air, and despite my frustration, a part of me softened.He was scared for me.I could see it in the tightness of his jaw, the way he moved restlessly.Still, I wasn't about to let him boss me around.

"So what, you're going to have Garrett teach me how to throw a punch?"I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Levi's lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk."If that's what it takes, yes."

I glared at him for a moment before huffing out a breath."Fine.But don't think I'm going to go easy on you, Garrett."

Garrett smirked, a rare flicker of amusement in his usually stoic expression."Wouldn't expect anything less."

The training room was spacious, lined with mats and equipment.Garrett started with the basics, showing me how to block, how to use my body weight, and how to aim for weak spots.I listened intently, my determination outweighing my initial skepticism.When it came time to spar, I wasn't as helpless as I expected.I landed a few decent hits, though Garrett countered effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.

"Not bad," he said after I managed to dodge one of his strikes."You're a quick learner."

"Years of dealing with egomaniacs in the industry," I quipped, catching my breath."Trading blows in the media is not all that different from physically fighting."

Garrett chuckled, the sound low and gruff."You're tougher than you look."

"Looks can be deceiving," I shot back, wiping the sweat from my brow.

Levi watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.His presence was distracting, and I found myself glancing at him more than I'd like to admit.His gaze was intense, focused on me with a mix of pride and something else I couldn't quite name.It made my stomach flutter.

After one particularly hard hit left me sprawled on the mat, Levi stepped forward, his jaw clenched."Enough," he said firmly.

Garrett hesitated, then stepped back, giving Levi a nod.I sat up, glaring at Levi."I don't need you to rescue me, you know."

He crouched down in front of me, his eyes softening."I'm not trying to rescue you.I'm trying to keep you alive."

His words were quiet, but they hit me like a punch to the gut.I held his gaze for a moment, the unvoiced tension between us crackling like lightning.Finally, I looked away, my cheeks burning.

"Come on," he said, standing and offering me his hand."You've had enough for today."

I took his hand, trying to ignore the way his touch sent a jolt of desire through me.As I stood, I caught Garrett watching us, his expression thoughtful.He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes made me wonder what he was thinking.

Back in the main living room, I collapsed onto the couch, my body aching.Levi handed me a water bottle, and I took it gratefully, draining half of it in one go.

"You did well," he said, sitting down beside me.His voice was soft, almost intimate, and it sent a shiver down my spine.