Page 55 of Monstrosity
"Good. We have an agreement."
"Thank the Gods." The relief on her face is palpable. "I was worried... well, I was worried."
"Daddy, are you going to teach us to fight too?" Florencia asks, having followed her sister over.
"Maybe when you're older," I offer.
"Dasha says knowing how to protect ourselves is important," she counters with her eight-year-old logic.
"Dasha's right," I agree, shooting my woman a look that promises we'll discuss this later. "But let's start with the basics she's teaching you, okay?"
"Fine," Florencia sighs, clearly hoping for more advanced lessons.
"Inside, girls," Starla calls out. "Lunch in twenty minutes."
The crowd disperses, kids chattering excitedly about their new moves.
I wait until we're relatively alone before pulling Dasha close.
"Self-defense classes?" I ask.
"They need to know how to protect themselves," she says firmly. "I won't have them be victims."
"Our girls know about stranger danger?—"
"It's not enough," she interrupts. "Not in this life. They need practical skills, muscle memory. Even if they never use it, they need to know they can."
I study her face, seeing the determination there. "This is about more than just general safety."
She nods. "Carlos had photos of them, Rio. Detailed surveillance of our babies. I can't... I won't let them be helpless if someone tries something."
"Hey." I tilt her chin up. "No one's going to touch them. I promise you that."
"You can't be everywhere," she says softly. "And neither can I. But we can give them tools, teach them to be smart and strong."
She's right, of course.
In our world, knowledge and preparation can mean the difference between life and death.
"Okay," I agree. "We'll teach them."
She stretches up to kiss me. "Now, tell me about the meeting. Are the Irish in?"
I fill her in on the basics as we walk back to the clubhouse, my arm around her waist.
She listens intently, asking smart questions about logistics and backup plans.
"Two days," she muses. "And then this is over?"
"This immediate threat is over," I correct. "There will always be others."
"I know. But we'll handle them."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Because that's what we do. We protect our family."
Inside, lunch is another chaotic family affair.
