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.

to scramble to my feet. My legs wobble. My chest burns. Blood drips down my lip, mixing with sweat,

jaw. He doesn’t give me time 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

and mocking, the heat of his body pressed against my back. I try to break free, but Kael’s grip tightens, and

and blood. It’s a slap of reality. But Kael doesn’t care.

back, forcing me to look at him as he positions himself above me. His smirk is

the fuck 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

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Chapter 48

OSMANG

my stomach, pressing the air out of my lungs as he presses his body down on me. My blood slicks the mud beneath us as I struggle to

I need to move.

I hear the sickening crack of bone, but Kael’s grip doesn’t loosen. He snarls and presses harder, both of his knees now pinning my legs down. His weight is suffocating. I can’t

ripping my arm free from his grip–pain screaming through me–but I

Kael doesn’t loosen his grip. His hands are crushing my throat, grinding the life out

My vision goes blurry.

نہ

closing in around me–my body’s fighting against the pain, but it’s too

I can’t-

I can’t-

every second is making

I refuse.

can’t die

flicker–something through the fog of my failing consciousness. I barely register it at first,

Grayson.

a blur, but his eyes–they’re fucking clear. Wide with panic. His eyes are locked on me, filled with rage and worry. He’s charging toward me, but Pierce steps in front

Everything inside me snaps.

the rage, the need to survive–it all crashes into me like a fucking

flesh as I claw, raking across his arms, desperate, frantic. I feel the burn in my throat, but

for a second. That’s all I

as I use the last bit of my strength to