Tainted Empire: Queen's Consortium by J. Tarr

Author:J. Tarr [Tarr, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-12-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Mikhail

The car slides smoothly into the underground garage of our penthouse, a tense quiet hangs in the air, thick with unspoken thoughts. The situation with Lee is like a splinter in my mind, sharp and incessant.

Lee, my best friend, a brother in arms, now a potential threat. It’s a fucking betrayal I can’t wrap my head around.

Gabriette’s been silent most of the drive, her gaze fixed out the window, lost in her own thoughts. As the elevator takes us up to our penthouse, she’s still distant, the revelations about Lee casting long shadows in her eyes.

Once inside, she finally opens up, telling me about everything Lee has been teaching her.

“She taught me hand-to-hand combat first,” she begins, her voice steady. “Basic moves at first, then more advanced techniques. How to throw a punch, block an attack, and use an opponent’s weight against them.”

I nod, intrigued, feeling a spark of curiosity light up. “Show me,” I say, rolling up my sleeves. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

She hesitates for a moment, then squares her shoulders, determination etched in her stance. “Okay, but don’t go easy on me.”

I smirk, slipping into a defensive pose. “Wouldn’t dream of it, love.”

We start off easy, Gabriette throwing a tentative punch which I deflect with a casual flick of my wrist. “Come on, Malyshka, you can hit harder than that,” I tease, hoping to draw out her real strength.

She takes a deep breath and launches a faster, more forceful punch. I block it, but the impact reverberates up my arm. “That’s more like it! Now, try to break through my defense.”

She nods, her eyes narrowing with focus. She feints to the left and then swiftly moves right, her movements quick and fluid. I counter her attack, but her agility catches me off guard. She’s picking up these skills faster than I anticipated.

Our sparring intensifies, filling the room with the sound of our playful combat. Her confidence grows with each move, her techniques becoming more polished.

Unexpectedly, she lands a solid hit on my shoulder, and I can’t suppress a laugh. “Damn, baby, Lee’s done a hell of a job with you.”

She flashes a triumphant grin, a hint of pride in her eyes. “That’s not all. She’s been teaching me how to handle a gun, safety procedures, aiming, shooting... even some Russian and underworld slang to blend in.”

Raising an eyebrow, both impressed and slightly apprehensive, I comment, “You’re turning into a real badass, aren’t you?”

With a shrug and a mischievous glint in her eye, she replies, “Had to keep up with you, didn’t I? Besides, no one will expect the trophy wife of a Pakhan to know the ins and outs.”

I pull her into a hug, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me – pride, love, and a niggling sense of unease. “Color me fucking impressed. Really. But remember, all this... it’s just a precaution.”

She rests her head against my chest, her voice muffled but firm. “I know. But it feels good to be prepared. To feel like I’m not just some damsel in distress.

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