led of unwashed wraps, leather, and the distinct metallic tang of bloo

guy at the counter, a retired heavyweight with a nose that had been broken thre

s, changed into a pair of worn leggings and a l

itual was calming. Over, under, thr

ached the

hrew

uscles had softened during her three years as a trophy wife. The fight in the alley had been pure adrenali

ed her te

h

ai

h

The pain in her muscles was good. It was real. It meant she was alive. She

later, the gy

r-Under Armour, but the expensive line. His sneakers were pristine white. He

Thorne's nephew.

past life, Julian had hit on her at a char

looking for a trainer.

ag. He appreciated the curve of her wa

utting on his bes

illar next to her bag. "You're hittin

t stop. Jab.

" she sai

lian. I don't think I'v

y," Auro

loser. "Come on. Let me buy you a protein sha

gloved hand. She turned to face

your wrist if you hit the bag with that

me? I've been boxing f

unching bags," Aurora said. "Your wrap is too

as being lectured by a gi

l hit this bag harder than you ever could. If I do, you ha

e began to unwrap her hand

five!" Julia

said. Ch

ed to show off. He wanted to impress

l his weight into it, his form sloppy, his thum

swu

AC

't the bag. It

g his hand to his chest. He doub

She picked up h

ou," sh

t him toward t

sped, tears in hi

lled back over her shoulder. "And tell your U

the pain for a second. "H

r. She disappeared

g his swelling wrist. He fumbled for his p

ias?" Jul

?" Elias's voice wa

rist. And... I met a crazy woman. She

silence on t

her," El

don't know, like she was looking th

sound that might

ommanded. "I will send Graves t

oming?" Julia

oing to drop everything for a

ea

er again... d