Her Heart

Chapter 35

Riley's POV

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. My hand is still throbbing, and I can feel the blood seeping through the makeshift bandage Carter wrapped around it. But I can't back down now, not when I've already come this far.

"Riley," Carter whispers, her eyes full of worry. "You don't have to do this. You have nothing to prove to anyone."

I shake my head, my gaze locking onto Megan's. "I'm not done yet."

Kai steps forward, her eyes narrowing as she assesses me. "You're hurt," she states flatly, almost as if she's daring me to back out.

"I'm fine," I insist, though I can hear the strain in my own voice.

Megan and Kai exchange a glance, something unspoken passing between them. Then, without warning, they both move in tandem, a synchronized attack that's as fluid as it is relentless.

Jayden grabs Carter by the waist and moves her away from us. She immediately removes his hands from her and steps away from him.

I'm barely able to block the first series of strikes, my movements sluggish as I try to fend them off and focus again. Megan's punches are precise, each one calculated to weaken my defenses, while Kai's speed is almost overwhelming. I'm forced to retreat, each step back a concession of ground I can't afford to lose.

My hand throbs painfully, and I can feel my grip weakening with each block. I try to counter, throwing a punch at Kai, but she dodges it effortlessly, her foot lashing out in a kick that connects with my ribs. The impact drives the air from my lungs, and I stumble, nearly losing my balance.

Megan doesn't give me a chance to recover. She's on me in an instant, her fist slamming into my jaw with enough force to make my vision blur. I stagger back, disoriented, and that's all the opening Kai needs. She moves in behind me, her arm wrapping around my throat in a chokehold.

I claw at her arm, trying to break free, but my strength is rapidly fading. Megan steps in front of me, her expression unreadable as she watches me struggle. "Give up, Riley," she says, her voice low and firm.

But I can't. I won't.

I summon the last of my strength, twisting in Kai's grip, and manage to land a weak punch to her side. It's not enough to break her hold, but it does make her loosen her grip slightly. I use the opportunity to throw my weight forward, pulling Kai off balance and breaking free of her hold.

But I'm too slow to follow up. Megan's already moving, her fist slamming into my gut and sending me to my knees. I gasp, the pain radiating through my entire body as I struggle to stay upright.

"Riley!" Carter's voice is frantic, but I can barely focus on anything other than the burning pain in my chest. I'm on my knees, gasping for air, and I can feel the cold sweat beading on my forehead.

Megan stands over me, her expression unreadable as she looks down at me. "It's over," she says quietly, but there's no malice in her voice—only a simple statement of fact.

Kai steps up beside her, her breathing heavy but controlled. "You fought well," she says, and there's a note of respect in her tone that I hadn't expected.

I want to respond, to say something defiant or even just acknowledge their words, but I can't. My body's given out on me, and all I can do is try to keep from collapsing entirely.

Carter's at my side in an instant, her arms wrapping around me as she helps me to my feet. "You did amazing, Ry," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Let's get you out of here."