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

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Ava: Life in Westwood

stands, wincing as she stretches out her legs. “But let’s

reverberates through the apartment, and Lisa and I groan in unison. We don’t have to check. Of course it’s Kellan. Here to pick us up, just like every godforsaken morning.

yanks open the door, eyeing Kellan with exasperation. “Don’t you have anything better to

nothing in

we have here? But before I can needle her about it, she shoves past Kellan, leaving me

avoid the dread pooling in my stomach. Jericho. Another day

he’s waiting for us, his scarred

“You’re

at

Ava Lile in Westwood

you. How about we bring donuts tomorrow? All you can

“You want to play games? Fine. Run another mile. Both of you.

bite back a groan, shooting Lisa a glare. She shrugs, unrepentant, and takes off at a jog. I follow, my legs protesting with every step.

Early mornings, aching muscles, and a trainer

I know I need this. Need

Selene. For myself. For whatever comes

pushing through the pain. One foot in front of the other. One mile. Two. Three.

points 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 heaves,

Ava Life in

face flushed crimson from exertion.

cuts through the haze of exhaustion, his tone brooking

argument.

to be kidding me.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ

my head, wincing as the movement sends a fresh wave of agony through my body. “Sorry, Jericho.

his scarred face twisting into a sneer. “Well, aren’t you

a glance, a silent acknowledgment that we’ve pushed our luck

eyes narrowing to icy slits. “Practice or spar. You’ve got

choose.”

leaden weight in my chest. Neither option appeals, not with my body

alternative–incurring Jericho’s

Ava Life in

likes

hard, my mouth dry as I

she

a razor’s edge,