Page 39 of Edge of Desperation

“Don’t you think I know that?” I sneer.

Hudson holds up his hands. “You do, but you’re also a protector. You’re gonna wanna do whatever it takes to protect her. Don’t overwhelm her. It could do more harm than good.”

“In other words, ignore every instinct I have.”

He laughs. “Yep.”

“Shit.”

“That about sums it up.”

I flip him off when he walks out of the apartment, his laughter echoing down the hallway.

Ringing the doorbell at the general’s home, I shift on my feet with excitement like a teenage boy arriving for a first date.

This isn’t a date.

Aurora swings open the door, and my heart stops. There’s color in her cheeks today, and even though there are still circles under her eyes, they’re less prominent. She’s wearing leggings that hug her curvy figure and a purple t-shirt that makes her emerald eyes sparkle.

“Jaxson,” she greets shyly. “Thank you for coming.”

My brain misfires, and I mentally kick myself to jumpstart it. “Uh… Hi.” I shove the pizza box forward. “Your dad said you like pizza.”

You’re a complete fucking idiot! What are you twelve?

She giggles nervously. “I love pizza. Come in.”

I follow her into the house, noting Lykos is right beside her. I’m really distracted not to have seen the giant beast standingbeside her. Hudson’s right, I need to keep my game face on. She leads me to the backyard to an outdoor dining area.

“I’ll grab us something to drink.” She rushes inside, returning a moment later with two cans of Coke, paper plates, and some napkins. “I hope this is okay.”

“Perfect.” I open the box. “I hope supreme is okay.”

“It’s my favorite.” She takes a bite and groans.

That sound sends a shockwave right to my dick. Obviously, he didn’t get Hudson’s memo about not overwhelming her. I try thinking about anything other than the sounds she’s making while she’s eating her pizza.

Dentists, the plague, taxes, running drills…

I pick up a piece of pizza. “How’d it go with Lykos last night?”

“First night that I didn’t have nightmares,” she admits. “Thank you for bringing him here.” She pauses, inhaling deeply. “I bet you’re wondering why I asked my dad to call you.”

“I figured you’d tell me when you were ready,” I reply before taking a drink.

“I want you to teach me to fight.”

Choking on my Coke, I stammer, “W-w-what?” Never in a million years did I expect to hear her say that.

“Fight,” she states matter-of-factly. “I want to be able to defend myself. I never want to feel vulnerable again.”

I puff out my chest. Instantly, Hudson’s words replay in my head, and I deflate.

She trusts me enough to teach her. How could I ever deny her that request?

“What do you want me to teach you?”

“Everything,” she says breathlessly.

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