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    ALINA’S POV.

    “To the what now?”

    “What?!”

    Both Talia and Jordan spoke at the same time.

    “Don’t make me repeat myself, Jordan.” I said, annoyed.

    “But ma’am, boss isn’t there.” Jordan informed me.

    “I know that!” I snapped at the mention of Lucian name. “I need to blow off some steam.” I told him.

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    “Why don’t I drive you to a gym instead?” He suggested, in a cautious tone. “I don’t think boss would be happy about this.”

    “Do I look like I care, Jordan?” I red at him, my voice sharp. “It’s either you drive me there or I will find my way there. Either way, I am going.”

    Jordan sighed heavily but turned on the ignition and drove off.

    “Wait a minute,” Talia, who had been watching the scene unfold, finally spoke. “Nobody is asking my opinion, why the fuck are we going to a warehouse, Alina?” She sounded spooked, her brows drawn together.

    “Rx, Talia.” I said, a little amused.

    “Uhm, no thanks. You talk about going to a warehouse and you expect me to be rxed? Are you crazy? Drop me off at home before you head to this warehouse, Jordan.”

    Jordan slowed down, ncing at me through the rearview mirror for instructions.

    “Keep driving, Jordan.” I said with an eye roll.

    “I mean it, Alina! I am not going with you or getting involved with whatever shady thing you are into. My mom is a High Court judge, remember? She will kill me.” She said, genuine fearcing her voice at the thought of her mom.

    Mrs. Hart was a force, you do not want to mess with her.

    “It’s not that kind of warehouse, Talia. You’ll see when we get there.” I assured her.

    “Well, the good thing is I do not want to see. Just drop me off here and I will get a cab home.” She insisted, not relenting.

    “You are going, Talia.” I said in finality, rolling my eyes.

    “What is this? A kidnap? Are you going to tie me up when we get to the warehouse?” She said, lifting both hands and inserting air quotations at the word ‘warehouse’

    “Kinky, but no.” I told her. ulli/li/ul

    “I am serious, Alina.” She red at me, her tone firm.

    I knew she was serious. If her referring to me hu mu full

    *So am I. Trust me, you would like it there, it suits your aesthetic.” I told her.

    Talia was going to like it there, if I’m being honest. Well, not the hidden torture room beneath, that would freak her out. I meant the boxing ring and the shooting range, which was the primary focus today.

    She was all for boxing and shooting and violence.

    “Yeah, hard pass.” She said adamantly. “If it’s so great, why don’t you go by yourself?” She challenged.

    “Because I don’t want to be there alone. I don’t know or trust half the people there. I need a wingman, or woman.” I told her.

    “Well, if you don’t trust the people there, then maybe you shouldn’t be going in the first ce.” She fired back. “Anyway, you have your bodyguard with you. You’ll be fine without me.”

    “Since when did you stop being adventurous?”I asked her.

    Talia was all for danger and being spontaneous, but now it seemed like after my rebirth, she and I had somehow exchanged souls.

    “Since warehouses are involved.” She said tly. “You want to be adventurous? Well then, let’s go cliff jumping or skydiving, but definitely not a creepy warehouse.” She said.

    “It’s not creepy.” I defended with a chuckle.

    “Well, for one, the route doesn’t look safe.” She pointed out, eyeing the isted road Jordan was driving through.

    I felt the same way the first time we drove down this road, so I understood her fear.

    “Rx, it would be all worth it.” I told her, and just as I finished my statement, Jordan was parking in front of the warehouse.

    “Uhmmm… Ally, I don’t like this, this ce look shady as hell.” Talia murmured, her eyes on the rundown appearance of the

    exterior.

    “Trust me, the inside looks better.”I assured her, stepping out of the car.

    “How did you even know about this ce?” She asked as she followed, stepping out hesitantly.

    “Lucian owns it.” I told her, grabbing her hand as I began to make my way towards the entrance.

    The door opened just as we got to it, and a huge, tall, shirtless man with a scary scar running from his cheek to his brow and a stern look on his face stood in our way.

    “Did you miss your way or something?” His deep voice rumbled, his eyes flickering between Talia and me.

    Talia didn’t waste any time hiding behind me, her hands clutching tightly to my leather jacket.

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    We definitely didn’t look like we belonged here.

    “We uhmm-” I started to say, but was thankfully saved by Jordan.

    “I advise you back off, Jack. That’s the boss’s woman.” Jordan said coolly to the man, who we now knew to be Jack.

    Jack’s eyes widened and instantly, he stepped out of our way.

    “My apologies, Boss Lady. I didn’t know who you were. Forgive me.” His demeanor softened as he bowed slightly.

    “Uhmm, it’s alright.” I waved him off with a nervous chuckle.

    It was a little awkward seeing a giant bow his head in respect towards me.

    “What do you want to do, boss?” Jordan asked.

    “The shooting range.” I said instantly.

    “Right this way.” He said, walking ahead of us.

    Thest time I was here, I had passed through the shooting range when we were going to the basement, but I didn’t think I could remember my way there.

    “Wow, this ce is amazing.” Talia said in awe, her eyes wide as she looked around.

    “I told you.” I snickered.

    “It’s too beautiful to be called the warehouse, though. Why is it called that?” She asked, clearly confused.

    “I honestly have no idea.” I responded.

    “Do you think Mr. ckwood would mind if I came here to box?” She asked, her gaze locked on the boxing ring where two women were currently sparring.

    “I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I can ask, though.” I added.

    “Thank you!” She said, her tone filled with excitement.

    Talia was a ck belt in Karate, but because her Sensei kept saying that Karate isn’t for offense but for defense, she decided to switch to boxing. That way, she could ‘punch the shit out of people.’ Her words, not mine.

    Me, on the other hand, I not only learned self-defense, but also how to fight in my past life. Cobi had taught me during the weeks I spent at Old Ninth Square, though I hadn’t put it into practice in this life.

    There hadn’t been a need for it. Even Talia had no idea I could fight. Between the both of us, she was the fighter, whereas I was the one who stood in the corner and cheered her on.

    Not anymore, though.

    Let me tell you, Cobi showed me no mercy during his teachings. He told me my size gave me an advantage because it made me faster than my opponent. It wasn’t always about the muscles.

    Street fighting was serious business, it was either you kill or get killed, no in-between and certainly no time for hesitation.

    It was a dog-eat-dog world out there.

    I didn’t say much when we arrived at the shooting range. The anger I’d been feeling earlier returned, and I could feel my frustration simmering beneath my skin.

    “Need help gearing up, ma’am?” Jordan asked.

    “Yes, please.” I responded.

    Jordan handed me the protective gear, earmuffs, sses, everything, and helped adjust them in ce with steady hands.

    “Let me show you

    how-”

    “I can handle it from here, Jordan. Thanks.” I shot him a small smile.

    Aside from the weight, there was honestly no difference between this gun and the one at the gaming center in the mall. It shouldn’t be that hard.

    He double-checked the gun and gave me a small nod, then moved to stand beside Talia.

    “Be careful, baby.” I could barely hear Talia’s words. Her voice was softer now, cautious.

    I stepped into thene. The cold weight of the pistol felt good in my grip. Strange, yet familiar.

    I squared my stance, leveled my arms, just the same way I did when handling the gaming gun, and pulled the trigger.

    The force of the first shot almost sent me backward.

    “Whoa.” I breathed out.

    This was different. The feeling I got after… was unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

    I got into position and pulled the trigger again… and again… picturing Adrian’s face each time. Each shotnded dead center. Bullseye. One after another. The sharp smell of gunpowder invaded my nostrils.

    It wasn’t until I emptied the magazine that I finally lowered the weapon.

    I hit the button on the wall in myne, and the target came toward me, revealing a huge hole in the center.

    I wasn’t imagining things, every shot had indeed been bullseye.

    I nced back. Jordan’s eyes were widened in shock. Talia, on the other hand, had a half-smile tugging at her lips, her expression impressed.

    I let out a slow breath, the tension in my chest easing, only slightly.

    “Damn, girl! That was badass.” Talia finally found her voice, her eyes bright as she nced at the target behind me.

    “Oh, please,” a feminine voice scoffed. “I fail to see what is so impressive about that.”

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