Page 12 of Unbreakable Thread

I step back to wipe her tears and have her look me in the eye. “Why haven’t you been honest with me?” I ask.

She sniffles, and Daisy gives me another growl. “I just…” She sighs. “I don’t know how to talk about it. Honestly, I’m tired, mentally drained.”

I won’t pressure her to talk, but I know she feels that if she ignores and doesn’t talk about it, it will all disappear. I’ve done that, ignored every truth, every lie, and every ounce of pain that ripped through my soul. It took losing Rainey for me to become who I needed to be for both of us.

“Remember when I said after every storm, a rainbow follows?”

“I do.”

“Then allow me to be your rainbow, your anchor. Let me ease your pain. I can’t do it, corazón, if you don’t let me in. We may have been living two different lives, but we were cut from the same cloth. I can’t pressure you to talk to me, but just know I’m here. I know you better than anyone.”

Her smile is gentle, easing the pressure that suffocates my lungs. “That you do, champ. You know me better than anyone.” The soft caresses of her lips brush mine. “Thank you, I just need time. It’s only been two-and-a-half weeks since I’ve been out of the hospital, and I’m still trying to find myself.”

“I understand it’s a new transition. I just don’t want you to shut me out.”

“I won’t.” She utters those words in a whisper.

All I hope for is that her words speak the truth from within.

“Then let’s start our first class.”

Rainey’s hands rest on her knees as she bends slightly to catch her breath. We started working on being mindful of her surroundings and identifying threats. Next, we worked on how she needs to set her mindset on not allowing herself to be a victim. Finally, we worked on her stance and taught her how to punch and block. She’s good and a fast learner. A little at a time.

“Good job, you’re doing well. Let’s go for another round.”

She steadies her breathing and straightens. “I’m out of shape.”

“You’re perfect,” I insist.

She rolls her eyes. “Of course you would say that. You’re sweet as honey, babe.”

I throw a punch that she barely blocks. “Lost focus. Too busy flirting,” I muse with a grin.

“Whatever. I’m not going to be flirting with my enemy.” She scoffs, going for a hit at my gut.

“Get in your stance as I showed you. Feet shoulder-width apart, hands up, protecting your face.”

She follows, lifting her fists uncertainly.

“Breathe, amor. The fight is in your head, not your arms. Focus on me.” I circle her, feinting left, then lunging right.

Her forearm slams against mine with a sharp crack, her eyes narrowed to slits. Perfect. Each block tells me she’s learning—her body remembering what her mind hasn’t processed yet. Her gloved fist connects with my ribs—once, twice—then pounds my sternum before returning to hammer at the same spot on my side. Rainey’s chest heaves, sweat soaking into her white tank top. Tomorrow, I plan to teach her kicks and going for the face. The timer for our drill stopped beeping two minutes ago. She keeps coming, each punch punctuated by a small grunt, her jaw clenched tight enough to crack walnuts. I absorb each hit, steady on my feet.

“Asshole.”

She’s definitely using me to release anger. Who she’s talking about is probably Rowan. Another hit to the face. We dance around the ring.

“I want normal,” she shouts, and I block the punch.

She either wants to kill me or fuck me. The sweat around her nipples under her white tank top gives me the visual that has me wetting my lips. I’m so focused on her tits, I don’t see the punch to my shoulder.

“Fuck,” I groan. How is this small woman hitting like she wants to demolish me?

“Pay attention, cabrón.”

“Whoa, someone is getting feisty.” With my forearm, I wipe the sheen of sweat. “Give it to me, baby. Show me what you’ve got.” Damn, does she look sexy. Sweat drips down her face, giving her a glow that only she would look stunning in.

“Oh, I’ll give it to you.”