368 

Sephie 

The two as sholes – I don’t even know their names. I don’t want to know their names. were the last ones to the gym. Viktor was sparring with one of Vitaliy’s other guys that had been with him for years. They were well matched. Aleksei was right. It was good to get new sparring partners. When you constantly sparred with the same person, it was easy to fall into a routine. Since I had five to choose from, I hadn’t reached a point where I needed a new partner, but there was sometimes a routine with a few of the guys. Mostly Viktor and Stephen, as they took it easy on me. They were still worried about hurting me when they sparred with me. Ivan used to be, but after he saw what happened with Mike, he turned up the pressure on me the few times we sparred before he and I were taken. I had to admit to enjoying the challenge. He was surprisingly fast for such a massive human. 

everyone 

The greatest part of the morning, for me anyway, was the way that the other guys would watch the two sparring. When they took a break, offered advice and brought to light areas that could be improved. It looked like they were fighting, but it was a learning experience for everyone. The same happened when Stephen got in the ring with another of Vitaliy’s regular guys. I enjoyed seeing them being able to sharpen their skills even more. It never hurt that they were all chiseled, handsome men that generally took their shirts off at some point. 

Because Vitaliy’s men knew Ivan and knew that he’d had “extra” training, even though they didn’t know the whole story, none of them would spar with him. Apparently, he had a reputation. I looked to Andrei, who was standing next to me. “They’re really scared to spar with him?” I asked, completely surprised. 

Andrei chuckled. “He still takes it very easy on you, spider monkey.” 

“And here I thought he wasn’t holding back as much,” I said, crossing my arms across my chest like I was pouting. 

It made Andrei laugh. “You know he has more training than pretty much any human alive. He controls it with us, but he likes to challenge new people 

a little too much.” 

“That tracks,” I said, laughing at the thought of Ivan getting enjoyment out of almost killing someone. 

Adrik stepped into the ring, motioning for Ivan to follow him. This was new. Adrik only sparred with the guys on very rare occasions. I had asked him about it one night when we were alone, curious as to why he didn’t practice. The next morning, he sparred with Viktor, just to show me that apparently he did not need to practice. Poor Viktor. It took him a week to recover. 

Ivan’s devious grin spread across his face as he jumped into the ring. I also caught Vitaliy’s smirk as he watched his son in the ring. He was hard to read, but he was clearly proud. He knew of Ivan’s training as well. He also knew Adrik had nothing to be worried about. 

I had to admit to enjoying the look of shock on Vitaliy’s men’s faces as they watched Adrik agree to spar with Ivan. Those two walked to the side of the ring, close to where I was standing with Andrei. I heard Adrik tell Ivan not to hold back. “Might as well give them a reason to be pu ssies,” he said. He caught my eye, smirking at me as he knew I’d heard him. 

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I fully support this kind of passive-aggressive behavior,” I said, making Andrei laugh with me. 

While everyone had been insightful when it came to Viktor and Stephen and their two opponents, there was silence watching Adrik and Ivan. There was nothing to critique, no improvements to be made. They were so well-matched that it was almost like they’d choreographed it beforehand. Both of them were breathing hard, sweating as they each tried to outdo the other. Each hit was perfectly countered, each kick was expertly blocked. 

“Yeah, he’s totally still taking it easy on me and I might love him a little more because of it,” I said, my eyes wide watching both of them. I could feel that they were both enjoying it, as well. There was almost a giddiness to both of them that I could feel. They didn’t outwardly show it. They looked like they were trying to ki ll each other, But inside, they were both enjoying this. 

I caught Vitaliy watching them. The look of satisfaction on his face was everything. I almost wanted to take a picture of it so I could show Adrik later. I glanced at the other guys’ faces, finally looking at the two as sholes. They were shocked. Good. I hope they’re worried. 

Ivan and Adrik went on much longer than the first two matches. There was no clear winner between them, they just decided to stop. Vitally’s men stayed quiet, silently glad they’d refused to spar with Ivan. Aleksei walked up beside me and Andrei, as Adrik was climbing out of the ring beside us. He said quietly, “you might be solving the problem of the little flowers today and creating a new one for me.” 

Adrik raised his eyebrow, wadding his shirt up in his hand to wipe the sweat from his face. Aleksei chuckled. “They might quit on their own. Then 

we’re going to have to find replacements for them.” 

I looked at Andrei. He had been nervous, but now that his time was nearing, he was focused. I glanced at the other side of the ring where Misha was. He looked just as focused. They both knew that Ivan was the best out of all of us, but they also knew they could hold their own with him. I’d seen it. Those two as sholes didn’t stand a chance if they weren’t taking their training seriously. 

Adrik said quietly, “don’t hold back, Andrei. It’s not your fault they haven’t taken their training seriously. You’re the wake up call they need.” 

Andrei looked at me, then Adrik. He nodded once before pulling his shirt off and stepping in the ring. Aleksei informed as shole #1 that it was his turn. He did not look as nervous as I thought he was going to be when he saw Andrei step into the ring. I looked at Adrik, “that mo ron still thinks he has the advantage over Bubba because he’s so much younger. His day is about to be ruined.” 

Ivan walked up, handing Adrik a bottle of water. “Squish, I just want to thank you for holding back when you spar with me. You clearly love me and I’m here for it.” I said. 

He laughed. “I don’t have to hold back as much as I used to, princess. You’re making serious progress.” 

“I happen to have very good trainers,” I said, smiling sweetly at him. I looked between both Adrik and Ivan, each standing on each side of me. “I could feel how much you two enjoyed that. You were almost giddy.” 

They both chuckled. They looked over my head at each other. “It’s been a few years since we’ve done that. We should do it more,” Adrik said. “I forgot how much fun you are.” 

“It’s the only time I get a challenge, Ivan said. 

“Do you two want me to leave so you can bromance in peace?” I asked, smirking at both of them. They both laughed loudly, causing everyone to look at us. While I never cared that the guys were looking at me, I suddenly panicked when Vitaliy’s men looked at me. This was really becoming an annoying development in my life. 

Ivan and Adrik both stepped in front of me, partially shielding me from everyone. Andrei stepped back in front of me as well in the ring. I saw Misha walk from the other side of the ring to quietly stand behind me. Not a single one of them said a word, they just silently moved to make sure I felt safe.. 

“I love you all,” I said quietly.