Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 53

Maximus lost his spark in an instant. He had never beaten Elliot before. "Danielle, let’s forget about it," he said dejectedly.

At Shadow Fortress, their training regimen included hand-to-hand combat and shooting, and they often sparred with one another to hone their skills. Seeing the disappointment in Maximus’s eyes, Danielle figured there was no harm in a little practice session.

"Maximus, I don’t mind sparring with you," Danielle said without hesitation.

"Danielle, let’s not do this," Elliot protested. ’If she gets so much as a scratch under my watch, Mom and Dad would skin me alive, he thought.

"Elliot, do you not believe in me?" Danielle asked, her voice as calm as ever.

It would wound her pride if he said he didn’t trust her. But if he claimed he did, it might

gaze, Elliot let out a resigned sigh. As a doting older brother, there was no way he could refuse her. "I

grounds. In the center stood Danielle and Maximus. At

doubted Danielle stood a

win?" Justin asked,

top-notch, but Danielle’s marksmanship is impressive." "Obviously, Danielle will win,"

the majority placing their bets on Maximus. They knew little about Danielle, having never witnessed her feats on

at the border. She was known as the

mind to them. To her, a sparring session was a test of skill, and giving her all was the highest honor she could