Page 28 of Depraved Royals
“Look,” he begins, “I don’t know what your problem is—”
Kal’s head jerks forward, smashing his forehead into Sergei’s nose.
Sergei falls to the ground, clutching his face as blood soaks his t-shirt.
“You can’t teach Dani to defend herself,” Kal shouts over Sergei’s cries. “I was a threat to you from the moment I walked through the door, and you didn’t even notice.”
Kal takes off his jacket and hangs it on a hook on the wall.
“I will do your job for you,” he says, “and you can fuck off and get cleaned up. You look like a squeezed donut.”
Sergei gets to his feet and walks away without looking back, slamming the door behind him.
I’m frozen to the spot, still holding the pistol. Kal looks me up and down.
“To be fair to the guy, he was right. Your stanceisshit.”
He unbuttons his left cuff and rolls up his sleeve, frowning at the targets as he does so.
“This isnotwhat you need to learn, Dani,” he says. “But don’t worry. I’ll teach you.”
He fucked up Sergei just for touching me.
Was it necessary? No. ButGod, it was hot.
Because he’s not just protecting me. He knew I wasn’t in danger.
I will never let go, Dani. You’re mine.
That’s what he said.
I don’t want tobelongto anyone. I want to bemine. But if Kal wants to possess me, do I have any say?
I try to ignore the voice inside because she’s a thirsty bitch.
Look at him rolling up his sleeves. You’re going slowly crazy for him. If you have no choice, Dani, why not just enjoy it?
I shake my head, trying to knock the thoughts out.
“What do I need to learn? I ask.
Kal smiles. “That’s a hell of a question, and maybe I’ll answer it more comprehensively another day. But for self-defense, you need to learn Systema.”
“And that is…?”
“Kinda like Krav Maga, but different.”
“Oh, so it’s martial arts?”
Kal nods. He takes the gun from my hand and empties the clip before handing it back to me. “Just in case. Now, point the gun at me.”
We’re a few feet apart. I level the pistol at him, and he raises his hands in surrender. “Good girl,” he says, and I draw a sharp breath.
I wish I didn’t like it so much when he says that.
He beckons me with one hand. “Now, advance on me.”
I move towards him. I’m holding the gun with both hands, one on the handle and trigger and one to hold steady.