Tangled

99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

A plastic thud startles me awake. I crack open an eye to see Lisa’s alarm clock skitter across the floor, her arm still extended from the throw. O

“I can’t do this anymore,” she moans into her pillow. “Everything hurts. I think my eyelashes are sore.”

I laugh, but it turns into a groan as I slide out of bed, my muscles screaming in protest. Four days of Jericho’s training from hell, and my body still hasn’t adjusted. I’m not sure it ever will.

“Do you think the bodyguards would murder Jericho if we asked nicely?” Lisa’s voice is muffled, her face still buried in her pillow.

“Stop dreaming.” I limp to the bathroom, each step an agony. “And get ready. You know he’ll just make it worse if we’re late.”

Lisa’s groan follows me as I shut the door, a smile tugging at my lips despite the pain. As much as I hate the early mornings and the constant ache in my muscles, there’s a part of me that relishes the challenge. Each day I push myself further, each day I

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99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

grow stronger.

Selene would be proud.

The thought sobers me as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Four days, and still no sign of her. I’m starting to wonder if she’ll ever come back. If I’ll ever be whole again.

I splash water on my face, the cold shock chasing away the melancholy thoughts. I can’t afford to dwell on what I’ve lost. Not when I have so much to gain.

By the time I emerge from the bathroom, Lisa is up and dressed, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She shoots me a baleful look as she tugs on her

sneakers.

“I hate you for being a morning person.”

“I’m not a morning person,” I protest, grabbing my water bottle. “I’m just better at pretending than you

are.”

Lisa snorts, but there’s a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “Fake it till you make it, right?”

steeling myself for another

13:37

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Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

as she stretches out

the apartment, and Lisa and I groan in unison. We don’t have to check. Of course it’s Kellan. Here

exasperation. “Don’t you

nothing in my

a brow at Lisa as a blush creeps up her cheeks. Well, well. What do we have here? But before I can needle her about it, she shoves past

stomach. Jericho. Another day

waiting for us, his scarred face

scowl. “You’re late.”

antimist aring at him

in Westwood (IV)

about we bring donuts tomorrow? All you can eat, if we

scowl deepens. “You want to play games? Fine. Run

bite back a groan, shooting Lisa a glare. She shrugs, unrepentant, and takes off at a

muscles, and a trainer who seems to hate us. But

know I need this. Need to

For myself. For

grit my teeth and keep running, pushing through the pain. One foot in front of the other. One mile. Two. Three.

out, like he does every damn day -my legs burn. Lactic acid (something I’ve learned about in recent days) scorches my muscles, a deep, throbbing ache that pulses with each labored breath. I’m convinced my limbs have liquefied, reduced to useless, quivering jelly. Beside me, Lisa’s chest

Ava Life in Westwood (IV)

crimson

Jericho’s command cuts through the haze of exhaustion, his tone brooking

argument.

kidding me.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

wave of agony through my body. “Sorry, Jericho. My legs have officially died. I’m

face twisting into a sneer. “Well, aren’t you two being real fucking cute today?”

I exchange a glance, a silent acknowledgment that we’ve pushed our luck too far. Jericho’s patience,

he growls, his eyes narrowing to icy slits. “Practice or spar. You’ve got two seconds to

choose.”

Neither

alternative–incurring Jericho’s

Life in Westwood (IV)

far worse. He likes

I force the

grim. “Practice,” she echoes, her voice a hoarse

is a razor’s edge,