His Trouble Maker

Chapter 48

JESSICA

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Kael plays dirty. No one says it, but everyone fucking knows it. He’s ranked first every time in combat training, and it’s because he never fights fait.

“Well?” Kael’s voice is a low growl, sharp, taunting. “Aren’t you going to throw the first punch-”

I don’t hesitate. I fucking throw my fist at him, fast and hard.

Kael dodges just in time. His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist like he knew it was coming, and the next thing I know, his elbow slams into my ribs. The breath rushes out of me, sharp and painful. My vision blurs. I stumble back, gasping, but before I can get my bearings-

Kael’s knee connects with my stomach.

“Ah!” The sound rips from my throat as I double over, choking. Pain. White–hot pain.

I’m not fucking stopping.

I push back, gasping for air, but Kael doesn’t let up. His hand catches my neck, tight–too tight. His fingers dig in, and the world tilts as he slams my head into the floor.

The impact rattles my skull. My body shakes with the force. I can’t breathe. I try to push against him, but my hands are too weak, my body too fucking tired.

Kael laughs. That arrogant, sickening laugh. “Come on,” he sneers, twisting my arm behind my back. “You’re not gonna give up yet, are you?”

I growl through clenched teeth, fury rising up like a firestorm inside of me. I don’t give up.

I twist my body, using every ounce of what’s left in me, and slam my fist into his side. The hit isn’t clean, isn’t perfect, but it’s enough to make him grunt. It buys me a second.

One fucking second.

But it’s enough.

back, just long enough for me to scramble to my feet. My legs

to breathe. His hand shoots out, grabbing my arm, twisting it behind my back, the muscles in my shoulder screaming, my body forced to bend in a way that shouldn’t even be possible.

me off.” He hisses in my ear, his voice low and mocking, the heat of his body pressed against my back. I try to break free, but Kael’s grip tightens,

drops splatter across my face, mixing with sweat and blood. It’s a slap

my hair, yanking my head back, forcing me to look at him as he positions himself above me.

out, but he’s too fast, too strong. My fist comes up, aiming for his face, but it’s like hitting stone. He ducks under my swing and grabs my wrist, twisting it hard until I feel the sharp jolt

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12 Aug

Chapter 48

OSMANG

the air out of my lungs as he presses his body down on me. My blood

I need to move.

hear the sickening crack of bone, but Kael’s grip doesn’t loosen. He snarls and presses harder, both of his knees

arm free from his grip–pain screaming through me–but I don’t

hear the air leave him in a violent rush, but Kael doesn’t loosen his grip. His hands are crushing my throat,

My vision goes blurry.

نہ

in around me–my body’s fighting against the pain,

I can’t-

I can’t-

second is making me feel

I refuse.

die

consciousness. I barely register

Grayson.

clear. Wide with panic. His eyes are locked on me, filled with rage and worry.

Everything inside me snaps.

need to survive–it all crashes into me

as I claw, raking across his arms, desperate, frantic. I feel the burn in my throat, but I don’t

grip falters just for a second. That’s all I

into his side, my body bucking beneath him as I use the last