Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 17

Once Cordelia was ready, Calvert extended a hand in front of him, emphasizing with a bit of a taunt, “Hit it hard and fast. But then, you’re a girl so your reflexes might be slower…

He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Cordelia’s foot came flying at him.

“Thud!” Calvert was sent staggering back several steps by the powerful kick before he managed to regain his

balance.

As he caught his breath, he was dumbfounded. How could this little lady pack such a punch?

Cordelia landed gracefully and turned her head towards him, “Need me to go harder?”

nd that of

She’d grown up in an orphanage, accustomed to the heavy labor, which had given her strength beyond the average person.

Unfortunately, she had never learned any form of fighting.

Calvert quickly waved off, “That’s enough.” He flexed his numb hand, continuing. “Let’s work on the punching motion, and take it easy. Don’t need all that strength.”

After going through the moves twice, Cordelia had the basics down pat. Checking the time, she hurried over to where Merry was.

By now, the alley was dimly lit, the streetlights casting a soft glow. When Cordelia arrived, she saw the seven members of the Flame Union plus Merry squatting under the faint light. Yates was still leaning against the wall nearby, engrossed in his video game. The scene had an inexplicable comedic feel to it.

Flame No. 1, who had found a blade of grass to chew on, grumbled, “Damn it! She’s not gonna bail on us, is she?”

Merry piped up anxiously, “It’s not even her fight. Yates, just beat me up and let me go!”

Yates snorted dismissively and didn’t reply. Instead, he perked up his ears and heard light footsteps. approaching.

He glanced sideways to see Cordelia making her way over, her expression blank, her eyes indifferent, and her speech slow as she said, “I’ve learned it.”

Merry was quick to say, “Cordelia, don’t be foolish, you better leave! Yates is tough. No one around here can

beat him…

eyebrow. He wasn’t picky about his opponents, taking on both guys and gals, but something about this docile

her, so she wouldn’t lose too badly. At this thought, Yates said, “Let’s start.”

sprang into action, “Kick, punch, throw, seize, twist“. With a fluid sequence of maneuvers, Yates was on the ground, his arm twisted and controlled by her. Silence fell over the crowd. The

time

break free, but despite her seemingly effortless hold, he

go again!”

resumed her stance. Fist ready, right leg back, her face serious

eyes vacant.

Yates limbered up, he called out, “Start!”

question his life choices. He had anticipated

13.06

to

clenched his fists and finally conceded, “I give

let him go.

off, his face a mix of defiance and defeat, “You wait, one day I’ll beat you, and then

responded with a noncommittal, “Okay”

like his punch had landed in cotton, with no strength behind

a deep breath, gestured to his gang, and they all straightened up and bowed in

No. 1 glanced at Yates and then asked, “Boss

their locks, replying, “Whatever.”

and wouldn’t impose

Merry, she turned

couldn’t help asking, “Where are you

before replying, ‘Home to do homework.”

followed her

and Calvert emerged from the

remarked, “Boss, your girlfriend got some moves. She’s

a peek at Everard, only to find him

cool look, and Calvert promptly shut up, pretending his question had never been asked. At the Griffin household, the sixty–something Hackett paced his study anxiously. When

“There’s no trace of

can’t find him. But since he’s come to