DAMAGED HEARTS: Book Four in the Savage Hearts Series by Mary E. Twomey

Author:Mary E. Twomey [Twomey, Mary E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary E. Twomey, LLC

17

Fighting with my Family

Santos

I cannot watch, but I have to. I’m her healer. I need to know every spot on her that gets hit, no matter how much pain it causes me. There’s a little “oo!” noise she makes whenever Tio Bruno gets in a shot, which is far too often for my liking.

Once is too often for my liking, but this is overkill. It’s like he’s trying to make her quit.

She has no formal training. Cruz said he would train her, but he didn’t do more than a few rounds before he realized he doesn’t have the stomach for inflicting pain on our woman.

Tio Bruno has no such qualms. They are sparring using wooden daggers with blunt edges, which sometimes inflict more damage than the real kind. He knows how to pop the weapon out of her hand a hundred different ways, and demonstrates them all on her.

Tavita watches by my side, and for the most part, we wince in unison every time Adelita takes a hit. She’s not too bad, Adelita’s sister. We’ve all been taking our time getting a feel for each other. Her clear devotion to Adelita eases any of the lingering tension that could have driven a wedge between us all.

“I hate this,” Tavita admits. “I mean, I get that this is important for her to learn, but my heart stutters when she stubs her toe.”

I chuckle, because I know exactly how she feels.

I gauge my temper by the frustration in Adelita’s eyes. She’s not afraid of the blows. She’s hurt by them, sure, but she’s more angry she’s being so easily bested. Her nostrils flare and her teeth grind as she swings wildly.

Tavita’s face is stern as she watches the two knock each other around. “Hot bath tonight. She’s going to be sore. Hot bath and a massage. Can you manage that?”

I nod once. “Of course. She might be too sore to be touched, though.”

“True. Then at least make sure she gets a good night’s sleep after her bath.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Tio Bruno pauses to catch his breath, glancing Tavita’s way. News of their relationship didn’t take long to surface, though no one is brave enough to tease them about it—except for Adelita. Usually there’s no apology touching Tio Bruno’s tongue, but his sheepish expression when he regards his new girlfriend reveals the soft marshmallow no one knew was inside the hardened military leader. “Tavita, why don’t you go get yourself some dinner. You don’t want to see this.”

Tavita folds her arms over her chest. “I’m good where I’m at.”

Tio Bruno hangs his head. “This is all standard for a new soldier. I need to see how capable they are when they come to me. Then I know how to train them.”

Tavita grants him a breezy smile that holds no joy. “You’re very good at your job. I’ll stay parked here, though. See, I never got to be with my sister when the bully on the playground beat her up.”

Tio Bruno’s shoulders droop while Cruz sniggers. “Jeez.

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