Page 22 of Beautiful Unity

Once I see him again, the illusion I’ve held on to will be destroyed, and I’ll finally have to come to terms with this man as my father.

That’s a hard thing to lose. To grieve.

I guess I’m in denial and maybe a little bit of bargaining.

I just want my dad to be the man I remembered. To be my hero.

Only time will tell.

Love,

Darcie

Eight

BROOKS

I ducked and weaved, missing the massive fist heading toward my face. Stumbling back, I kept my hands up as the man across me smirked. It had been a few days since Tiny and Mack had stumbled into our motel room. We’d moved motels every day, going to different surrounding cities to keep our trail cold. On the second day, Tiny discovered that Maddox was giving me fighting lessons and decided to join in.

I’d had horses not buck me as hard as that man hit.

Though, to be fair, I’d learned really quickly to keep my weak spots covered. So, there was that.

“Again,” Maddox barked.

Tiny smiled, loving he got to do something. Mack had been able to sneak back into Jackson and check in with a few rogue members while Tiny had been sequestered to the room. He was too well-known and more difficult to disguise due to his large frame for him to be out and about in the daylight. And apparently, a bored Tiny was a grumpy one.

“Kick his butt, Cowboy!” Darcie shouted and whooped.

Tiny laughed, raising an eyebrow at me in a challenge. Maddox mimed taking a breath, so I did and let it out slowly. My heart rate calmed, and my thoughts became clearer. All the information Maddox and Tiny had been pouring into me fell into place.

I didn’t have Tiny’s strength, but I could move quickly. If I made my strikes fast, I could attack and get out before he retaliated. Taking another breath, the scene cleared before me, and I saw my plan of action like I did with horses.

Before, I’d always let fear cloud my judgment. Not anymore. Adrenaline pumped through me, and I used it instead of fighting it. I tracked his movements and saw my opening. This time, I didn’t think; I just acted.

In an explosion of movements, I faked right before hitting him twice on his left, ducked under his arm and hit him in the kidney, and spun around to the front, where I kicked at his knees before I retreated. I lifted my hands back to my face and braced for the punch. When it didn’t come, I opened my eyes and lowered my hands.

It was quiet, and Darcie and Maddox stared gobsmacked at me. I didn’t know why until I realized I could see them clearly. Tiny’s hulking form was no longer blocking them.

Glancing down at the ground, my jaw dropped when I spotted the giant down on the ground.

“Fuck!” I rushed over, but Tiny brushed me away.

“I’m fine. You just surprised me and knocked the wind out of me. Great job, Baby Brawler.”

“Not you, too,” I groaned, but Tiny only laughed, tapping his knuckles with mine.

Darcie rushed over, jumping into my arms and wrapping her legs around me. She kissed me, stealing my breath and setting my body off for a whole new reason.

“I probably shouldn’t admit this, but that was hot. And it’s not the violence, but watching you trust your instincts and go for it. It’s like you were in the zone you go to when you ride.”

“That’s exactly how I felt.” She beamed at me; her wide smile lit up the whole area.

“You’re ready,” Maddox said, smacking me on the back. His smile was proud, and it warmed my insides. It had been a long time since I’d made someone proud.

Maddox helped Tiny up, and they clapped hands and headed back toward the motel. Darcie turned back to me, mischief lighting up her eyes.

“What?” I asked, laughing.