More Than Meets the Eye

Okay?

I groaned in pain as Donato flipped me onto the floor. I could see Ben glaring at the others as they laughed at me. Donato smirked as I got to my feet once again.

"You make a worthy practice dummy, cara," he jested.

"Oh, bite me," I retorted as I walked over to Mia. Donato just laughed. Mia smiled softly as I approached her.

"I don't think I'm cut out for this," I told her.

"You have the potential, kiddo," she said. "You just need to embrace it."

"How? I mean, Ben told me that they've had years of training."

"That's nothing compared to a woman's wrath," Mia said, smirking slightly.

"Wha-"

The next thing I knew, there was a stinging pain on my left cheek. She just slapped me!

"OW! What the hell?!"

"How do you feel?" Mia asked me calmly. "Angry?"

"Try pissed!" I snapped. "My cheek hurts like hell!"

"Take that anger out on him," Mia said as she pointed at Donato. I growled as I stalked over to the mat. Donato gave me another stupid smirk as we faced each other.

"Ready for more?" He baited. Oh, it was on!

"Begin!"

With a cry, I launched myself at Donato, knocking him to the ground. He grunted as I pinned him to the floor, struggling under me.

"Stay. Down," I growled.

Donato glared at me before pushing me off. With a low growl, I lunged for him again, this time trapping him in a headlock before slamming him onto the floor. I backed up as he stood, readying my fist. Just as he turned around, I punched him straight in the nose. He stumbled back before falling over.

"Oh!"

"Ouch!"

"That's gotta hurt!"

I smirked as I helped Donato back up. He looked at me with shock and... Respect.

"Well done, signorina," he said as he ruffled my hair. "You're learning."

I smiled before looking over at the others.

"You're all next!" I sang.

"Ah, ah, ah!" James said as he wagged a finger at me. "Don't get cocky, child."

My smile dropped when the last man I expected to see walked into the gym. Unlike me, Mia seemed very happy to see Ian. Ian flashed her a smile before giving her a peck on the lips.

"Um... Did I miss something?" I asked as the others walked over to join me.

"Ian is Mia's sp-" Stuart started before Donato elbowed him in the ribs.

"Husband," James said quickly.

I raised an eyebrow at them before turning around to face Ian. I stiffened under his harsh glare and tried to avoid his gaze.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He growled.

"She's just hanging out with us," Ben said as he stepped in front of me. There was an edge to his voice as he glared back at Ian. "Is that a problem?"

Ian held his glare before grunting.

"I hope it's worth it to you," he growled to Ben before stalking out of the gym. I frowned as I watched him go. What was that suppose to mean?