“What do you do if the person attacking has a weapon?”
“Cooperate?”
“If they mean to kill you and you have a chance at escaping, what do you do?”
“Whatever I need to in order to escape?”
“Exactly.”
Ellie took a deep breath and prepared for another mock attack from Hunter. However, this time when he approached from behind and she countermoved, she saw the knife, and freaked out. “Okay, we’re done.” She started walking quickly toward the bench where she threw down her sweatshirt and bag.
“Whoa, what are you doing? We’re not finished,” Mace stated. She didn’t want to fight with them but also didn’t want to face the feelings this situation brought on.
“Ellie, it’s okay to be afraid. Lots of women become anxious, uncomfortable even, with this type of scenario. But if you can just push through that, it could save your life,” Mace told her as Hunter stood next to him, still holding the knife.
“Could you put that away please?”
“It’s not real.”
“It looks real.”
“It isn’t. Look at it.” Hunter lowered his hand palm forward with the knife sitting there for her to take.
She shook her head.
“I know that knives scared you. You mentioned that at the party. I just remembered.”
“Why does it scare you so much?” Hunter asked.
“Don’t, Hunter.”
“Don’t what?” he asked, stepping closer. She looked down and felt so compelled to explain, yet fearful of his reaction. Of their reactions. She stared at the loose-fitting pants Hunter wore, and she could see that he was wearing a prosthetic device. One leg looked thicker than the other. But with his big muscles and tattoos bursting from his shirt, she could only focus on how attracted she was to him. She glanced at Mace, stern, crew cut hair, blue eyes and muscles galore, the man looked like a weapon. This gave her more anxiety she didn’t know how to redistribute to a positive aspect.
Hunter pressed his fingers under her chin encouraging her to look up at him.
She locked gazes with his green eyes.
“Seno told us about the order of protection, and how your ex is bothering you again.”
Her eyes widened.
“It’s okay. We’re pissed off, and we’re worried. Maybe we pushed a little too much for you to learn some moves today that you’re not ready for,” Mace added. She couldn’t believe this. They thought they were at fault for her anxiety and freaking out. They were trying to help her.
“No, it wasn’t that. I was fine until the knife, Hunter.” She sat down on the bench. Mace knelt down in front of her and placed his hand on her knee. The tingling feeling from where his palm touched all the way to her pussy had her adjusting her position on the bench. Hunter took a seat next to her and kept his one leg stretched out straight.
“Why such a fear? Did your ex carry a knife, or threaten you with one?” Mace asked, and she felt as if a ball were lodged in her throat. She couldn’t go on like this. She liked them both. She liked Justice and Seno as well. Each of them had characteristics she wanted in a man, a mate. She didn’t want to blow the chance at something special.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about it except for the counselor the doctor suggested.” She clasped her hands together and stared at her lap and then looked at Mace.
“I know you collect knives. I wouldn’t ask you to stop doing that because of me, but knives scare me. I was attacked months ago and my attacker used a knife to get me to cooperate.”
“Oh Jesus, baby. I’m so sorry,” Mace said, squeezing her knee and then moving up to sit beside her.
Hunter placed his arm behind her shoulders and she leaned back. She looked at him.
“Where were you attacked?” he asked.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. She could do this. She could give them some details, just not all of them.