Bittersweet Agony

Chapter 4

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Hollers and banging erupted from outside my door, and echoed throughout my room. I jumped awake from the sudden noise, but soon realized it was only my new 'family'.

I groaned as I rolled myself out of bed and over to the door. I swung it open and glared at the idiot who decided to wake me.

"What?" I snapped.

"It's time to wake up." Of course you can guess who that was: Blake Knight.

"Well thank you, I figured that much when you sent a herd of elephants to barge down my door. Do you think you could bang a little louder next time? I don't think the neighbors heard you." I grumbled.

"The nearest neighbors are 2 miles away." He argued with a smirk.

"My point exactly." My eyebrows rose competitively and his smirk dropped.

"Just get dressed and meet me downstairs in three minutes."

"What for?" I challenged.

"Because I told you to." I opened my mouth to protest, but he spoke again, effectively keeping me quiet. "And you have to listen to me, remember?"

My eyes narrowed and I stomped back into my room to change.

"Make it something you can move in!" I heard Blake shout from the stairs before I slammed my door.

After dressing in a simple black tank top and black sports capris, I made my way downstairs quickly.

"What are we doing?" I asked.

"Training." Blake responded.

"Just us?" I questioned suspiciously.

"No, everyone." I heard a deep voice from behind and quickly spun around to find its source: Cole.

We piled into the cars easily and arrived at a rather fancy gym within under five minutes. I honestly don't know why we even bothered driving.

"Wow, I should've known even your gyms would be prestigious." I sighed nonchalantly.

"Well it is our gym." Cole spoke up from behind me, coming to stand at my side.

"You own the fucking gym - Never mind, of course you do." I rolled my eyes, annoyed.

I followed all the men as well as the two girls - as they still seem to be here - inside. I'm not sure exactly what role these girls play at the house now, but they must be more important than some sluts the guys hired.

This place looks familiar. Was the first thing I thought upon entering.

"Adelina, how much experience do you have?" Cole asked, turning to me once we were inside.

"Depends; experience with what?" I shrugged.

"Fighting. How much training have you had, if any?" He answered.

"Well my father taught me some stuff when I was little, but nothing too serious other than shooting and the basics. The real training came in once I was sold. The gang that trafficked me had all the girls practice hand-to-hand combat skills at least twice a week, and we had to work out every day, so I'd say I do okay."

"Good. You're up." Cole stated with a look of hesitation.

"Up? What do you mean I'm 'up'? Against who?" I blurted.

"Me." Ellis spoke, and walked toward a boxing ring.

"You have five minutes to warm up on whatever equipment you want. Then you're up, Nazzari."