Under a New Moon by Kelly Anne Johnson

Author:Kelly Anne Johnson [Johnson, Kelly Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

13

“Slide your leg out so you have a firmer base and then really put your hips into it. Hard and fast so that you’ll have enough momentum to flip me over.”

Mattie inhaled slowly and then did as she was told. She felt Chloe’s feet leave the ground as she was dragged over Mattie’s left side. Chloe landed hard on the wooden floor with a loud thunk.

“Ouch.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Mattie. “I didn’t mean to flip you so hard. Are you okay?”

“It’s fine,” Chloe said, rising to her feet. “There’s nothing to apologize for. You’re doing great.” She lifted her arms upwards, stretching and adjusting her back slightly. “Let’s go again!”

“Again?” Mattie asked. “Don’t you need a minute to rest?”

“Nope,” said Chloe. “This is nothing. Don’t you worry about me. I can keep going and going. By the time we’re done today, this is going to be ingrained in your muscle memory. You’ll be able to flip someone without even thinking.”

“Cool,” Mattie replied, trying to muster as much enthusiasm as possible. It didn’t matter how tough Chloe was, getting thrown to the ground repeatedly surely wouldn’t be pleasant. Just how many times would she have to flip Chloe for it to be ingrained into her muscle memory? Twenty? Fifty? More?

She was spared finding out by Chloe’s phone, which began to buzz impatiently. “I’d better get that,” Chloe said apologetically. “It’s an LNR call.”

She grabbed her phone and swiped upwards. Jake Borkowski’s hard-set face appeared on the screen. “Chloe,” he began. “I’m in place and set to make a move. I—”

“Mattie’s here,” Chloe cut him off. Her voice was chirpy but it was woefully obvious she was stopping him before Mattie heard what he had to say. Coalition business. Mattie didn’t mind. The less she knew the better.

“Why?” Jake frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” Chloe beamed. “I’m just teaching her a little bit of self-defense. Right, Mattie?”

“Right,” said Mattie, feeling herself shrink under Jake’s intense gaze. Even when he was just a face on a screen, he was incredibly intimidating.

“Does Wade know?” Jake asked, his frown deepening.

Chloe snorted and rolled her eyes. “What’s it to you, Jake?” She turned to Mattie. “I’m going to take this call in the bathroom. Make yourself at home.”

Mattie watched as Chloe disappeared into the bathroom, whispering to Jake conspiratorially. Make yourself at home? There was nothing homely about Chloe’s apartment. It looked like an undecorated showroom. There were no plants, no pictures, nothing personal whatsoever. All of Chloe’s possessions were overflowing out of a large suitcase that was pushed up against the far wall. It made sense. Chloe probably wasn’t planning to stay in New York for very long and her minimalistic apartment meant it would be easier for her to make a quick getaway should the need arise.

It’d been strange spending the evening with Chloe. As hard as Mattie tried, some of the awkwardness and wariness she felt around her still lingered, though she did her best not to show it. If Chloe noticed she didn’t acknowledge it.

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