All Chapters of A game of dangerous loyalties: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

“Guard! Sweep! Kick! No! Jax, I've always told you to learn to read your opponents and listen. We’re starting this round again. Block!”I tuned out Marcus’s voice as he barked out instructions at the other fighters, focusing solely on the opponent in front of me. I circled, my opponent mirroring my movements.I could see the heavy rise and fall of her chest, a sign of the fatigue from our previous round, which I had won. But I knew this time wouldn’t be as easy, Kira—my sparring partner—hated losing just as much as I did.My muscles burned, but I ignored it, shutting out the smell of sweat and rubber mats that was starting to make me light headed. I was tired, but I couldn’t quit now. Kira had begged for another round, and I had agreed. It was too late to back out. I narrowed my eyes, my body coiled, waiting for the right moment. I knew Kira’s weakness—she always left her side unguarded.“Uh-uh, not this time, Osborn,” she muttered, lunging at me with a fist aimed for my ribs.I smir

I collapsed onto the floor, panting, Reid following suit.“Okay, you weren't kidding when you said you sucked.”He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I told you. If Marcus couldn't teach me, I doubt anyone can.” He looked down between his legs, propping his elbows on his knees as he sat up.The short silver-gray streaks at the tips of his hair fell over his face, and I had to resist the urge to reach over and run my hands through it.Even with sweat coating his body, he looked as attractive as ever. The media didn't do him justice. If his fans met him in real life, they'd be obsessed like I was becoming—just from spending the last two hours with him.He ran a hand down his stubbled, well-defined jaw, then buried his fingers in his hair, pushing it back slightly. “I'm really sorry I took up your time.”I shook my head, though he wasn't looking to see it. He had no idea he'd just made my day. After all, I was pretty much a loner, and Marcus letting me off earl

At Cascadia Academy, there were two rules Marcus drilled into us relentlessly—rules I’d never forget. First: learn to read your opponents. Second: sharpen your reflexes. Those lessons have carried me through countless fights, instincts that usually flared up in danger. But as I stood there with a gun aimed at my head, the only thing I could think of was that stormy night.The gunshot, the screams, my siblings’ cries for help–all of it crashed over me at once, freezing me in sheer terror. I closed my eyes, raised my hands, and muttered the words I’d once whispered countless times as a child. “Please, please...” I could still hear his footsteps, see his hands trembling as he held the gun by his side, his voice pleading, urging me to come out. I saw my sister—she was only twelve–-step out just as he neared my hiding spot. I watched her, heard the soothing lies he used to draw her close, the comforting tone that made her trust him enough to let him embrace her. Then, in a sickening shif

I sat with one leg extended straight ahead and the other angled sharply to the side, stretching as I stared daggers at Marcus, who was busy supervising the younger students. After our earlier conversation, he had mumbled something vague about needing to think it over before stalking off, leaving me frustrated and without a clear answer. Training hours had since begun, making it three hours since our talk, and still, nothing. Tired of waiting, I pushed myself to my feet, closing the stretch as I stomped toward him. He turned just in time to see approach and sighed, deliberately shifting his attention back to his students. Pretending he hadn’t noticed me, he continued giving commands. “Marcus,” I said sharply, stopping beside him with my arms folded. “Osborn,” he replied without so much as a glance, his focus still on the class. “Keep your knees straight and your toes pointed out, Tyler—good, hold it there.” I rolled my eyes and latched onto his arm, tugging him aside. “Serio