~

to do a little workout outsi

rts and a mini-top, I found my par

nted with a smile as he sa

Dad," I gr

," he responded, tak

?" Mom asked, lookin

oo, Mom," I said,

en turned serious. "But where a

out," I

she said, a hint of

Mom. I just stopped when

," she said, her expressi

el bad; you'll find out in no time," I replied, kissing both of them

," Mrs. Rust grunted as she

Daniel encouraged her

y," she spat, smack

"This happens when you marry a woman stronger than you. I ho

e fresh air. "I missed this," I murmured. "When was the last time I exer

t?" someone

saw no one. "Seriously, I thought I

the voice came agai

n my spine. Is there even such a thing? Right... you believe the mafia exists b

up for crying out loud," t

ouse opposite where I had stopped was none other than Natalie Kova. I

t you," she

ing here?" I ask

do," Nat replied. "Please...

hat?" I responded, staring

you're standi

ed me if I was stalking you

d, brushing off my words. "But on a serio

r blocks away from here," I replie

ou live

ea

that," she sa

mile. "Anyways, come down. Le

ight now?" she asked, a hint

ng to be fun," I

tated, then sighed. "Fine.

, feeling a spark of exciteme

the stairs. Just as she was about to open the door, a firm yet

She called with a forced smile. "Hmm, nothing

, his tone drippi

ches and all that," she resp

e when there's a room full of equipment for exerci

I'm going wi

fri

l. She's waiting outside," Nata

ell you about inviting people to the house?" he said, ra

blocks away," Natalie replied, irked, glan

imposing presence cast a long shadow in the room. His eyes scanned the exterior and found a surprising scene of a

ded, his tone softer b

I said, She lives just a few blocks away. We ran

from this community, then she must be one of the officials' daughters, and

ht, but stay close. Don't stray too far fr

elief, nodding. "I

aid, stepping aside

e outside. "Sorry for the wait..." she halted and asked, "What

shadow-boxing. "Just warmi

n eyebrow. "You do realize you're t

hadow boxing,"

rd," Natali

close to two hours getting ready

't even close to an hou

," Sophie retorted, haltin

ou to the field," Natalie sudde

ng," Sophie called ou

turned to the guard. "I want you to find out everything you can about th

ard replied with a

e balcony. "I don't think anything can go wrong within the commun

dent," Kova re-marked

should go awry." Avanska sighed and settled onto the sofa. "Besides, I think it's okay if she has a little fun. I've never

ns?" Alexander asked suddenly,

nska replied

nd

okay for now," A

ll. Any sudden, unwarranted movement and they

ing at Kova's hand, he added, "Do y

handle tha

began, "But boss,

care of my children myself, by my rules

stunned. "You didn'

g," Kova snapped, his cold gaze fix

anska responded, shaking

grunted in frustration. He picked up his phone and dialed

are you?" He d

I was going for a workout," Natalie's

it's enough now. R

en been an hour since I left

he demanded, h

m here with Sophie,

seconds to return or you'll be grounded for life." He s

nd visibly upset. "I can't believe you just said that, Dad.

friends, Natalie," Kova replie

lways said that. I'm not a kid anymore,

said yo

unwavering. This was a new side of Natalie-one tha