Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

Even so, it never hurts to be prepared. If I’ve learned one thing in my time at Corium, it’s that.

Still, Lucas looks uncomfortable, his brows pinching together like he has a headache. I’m sure that’s what I am to him. One great big headache from the start. “I think it might be a better idea if I’m the one to teach you.”

Right. How stupid of me. As far as most of the staff around here is concerned, I’m still less than nothing. I don’t think I’ll ever forget Brush suggesting they leave me here during the gas leak. Knowing I could easily die on my own. There’s a reason my lessons are with the only three staff members who have ever shown me a hint of kindness or consideration.

Still, Lucas? There’s no doubt in my mind he could be a dangerous man, but there’s a difference between knowing how to handle a weapon and knowing how to use his body to defend himself. “You?”

When his eyes pop open wide, I fear I’ve made a mistake. He surprises me by chuckling. “Try not to sound so surprised. What? You think I’m an old man who doesn’t have it in him?”

“Not even close.” After all, I watched him kick that door down. This is a powerful man. “I was just surprised you would suggest yourself, that’s all. You know, I didn’t think you got your hands dirty like that.”

“It might surprise you how dirty my hands have been.” He strokes his jaw, wearing the rueful smirk of a man with stories to tell. Something tells me I might not want to hear many of them. Then he looks me up and down. “I’m sure I could teach you what you need to know to defend yourself. You might not be able to beat an assailant to a bloody pulp, but you’ll know how to get yourself out of a situation and make them regret ever attacking you in the first place.”

Nash’s face floats in the forefront of my mind. That smile of his reminds me so much of an empty-eyed shark. His snideness, the way it always sounded like there was more to what he was saying than was visible on the surface.

How quick he was to invade my personal space.

“You’re smiling,” Lucas points out, and I didn’t notice until he said it. He doesn’t need to know why.

“I think I would like that a lot,” I decide. I might have a trick or two up my sleeve the next time Nash decides to place himself in my path.

His phone rings again, and I feel I should say something this time. “I can leave the room if you need to get that.”

“No. One thing you have to learn, Aspen, is no one will respect your time if you don’t respect it first. If I dropped everything the moment my phone rings, I would get nothing done.”

“Good point.”

“Back to the matter at hand.” He strokes his jaw again, this time wearing a thoughtful expression. “You know, I could teach you several moves that might be considered dirty fighting. I think that would serve you well since you don’t have size or strength on your side. I would need your consent to teach them, though, and you would have to promise not to use them unless you know there’s no other choice. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I think so.” It’s clear from the narrowing of his eyes that it isn’t good enough. I sit up a little straighter. “Yes. I understand.”

“That’s fine. We’ll get started during our next session together.”

I can’t help myself. What’s the worst he could do? Refuse to answer? I’ve faced much worse. “How is it you know those dirty moves? Have you ever needed to use them on anyone?”

For a moment, indecision washes over his face. I get the feeling he wants to tell me, but wonders if it’s a good idea. Finally, he gives in. “I’ve done a lot of fighting in my day. I’m not talking about fistfights in the schoolyard or getting into a brawl in a bar over a girl. The sort of fighting I did held much higher stakes.”

Oh. Now I’m not sure I want to hear more. Should I be surprised? One look at Lucas Diavolo, and it’s clear the man could be very dangerous under the right, or rather wrong, circumstances.

At the same time, it occurs to me that he’s the sort of ally I need. “You mean, a fight to the death?”

“Does that shock you?”

“Before I came here, I would say yes,” I admit after giving it a little thought. “But after everything I’ve seen and learned, it doesn’t anymore.”

He sighs heavily. “I can’t say it pleases me to hear you say that, but on the other hand, that’s a good thing.”