Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(37)

He tilted his head and studied her. She met his look unblinking, her chin raised, determination vibrating through every cell.

“You’ve got good instincts,” he said finally, not denying the accusation. “Trust them, no one else.”

“Not even you?”

“Especially not me.”

Then what was she doing here, with him, alone in his basement?

He took her hand and pulled her to the mat. “You only have to remember a few things. Pay cash for everything. Don’t fill out any forms requiring an address for at least a year. Lastly, know how to defend yourself and run.”

“I can’t even rent an apartment without signing my name and allowing a credit check.”

“You won’t have to. I’ve taken care of everything, Jenna. You’ll have a place to live, money, and food. But be guarded. Always.” He nodded toward the white packet on the table. “It’s all in that envelope. I’ll go through it later. For now, we work on self-defense. Have you taken any classes?”

She shook her head. “I tried a year ago. Brad found out. He wasn’t happy.” She rubbed her arm. The bruises had taken days to heal that time. “I had a few practical lessons when I was fourteen, though. I can handle myself.”

“Really?”

Zach grabbed her by the waist and threw her down to the mat. He pressed his foot against her throat. “You’re dead.”

Jenna swallowed and gripped his sneaker. She shoved him away. “I wasn’t ready.”

“You have to always be ready. Get up.”

She stood and backed away, her legs shaking.

“Don’t show me fear. I don’t care if you’re scared out of your mind, don’t show it. Never show it.”

Zach didn’t give her time to think. He lunged at her again, his hands moving to her throat. She stumbled back, lost her balance, and hit the ground. Even with the mat, the blow jarred her entire body. She slapped her hand on the vinyl. “Crap.”

“You’re afraid of me.”

She glared at him. “You’re bigger than I am.”

He held out his hand and pulled her up. “Size matters. I won’t say it doesn’t, but you can use it against me. When I come after you this time, cover your head with both hands and duck. Then ram me with your head and shoulder. Use your entire body weight to knock me off balance.”

Zach charged. Jenna ducked and pushed at him.

He twisted and had her flat on her back in seconds, his forearm at her throat. “You’re dead because you held back.” He glowered at her. “Never, ever hold back, or you and Sam won’t survive.”

She sank into the vinyl foam gasping for air. She gripped his arm and heaved at it. “Get off me,” she shouted.

“That’s it. Be angry. Show me the woman who hot-wired and stole my favorite truck.”

She bounced up and planted her feet. “Do it again.” Energy rushed into her muscles. Everything slowed down. This time when Zach pounced at her, she ducked and covered, then used all her strength to push him.

He stumbled back, a big smile on his face. “That’s it. I’m off balance. So, what do you do now?”

“Run.”

“If he’s injured or if you have time, run like hell. What if he’s like me? I stumbled, but I can trip you.”

He swept a leg under hers. She fell to the mat.

She glared at him.

“Remember this, Jenna. Whatever happens before you severely injure the guy doesn’t matter. Just like in a boxing match, the first ten rounds don’t matter if the guy who’s getting pummeled lands one lethal blow.” He leaned over her, his gaze intense and deadly. “If he’s hitting you, hurting you, punching you, and you can still fight, you have a chance. Don’t give up. That’s all that matters. One good blow to the eye, the groin, or the throat, you can take him out. That’s all you need. One good hit.”

“Eye, groin, throat,” she repeated. “One hit.”

Zach rose. “You’re on the ground, you’ve got great leverage. Take your heel, kick me in the nuts.”

She pulled back her knee and paused. “As hard as I can?”

“Do it.”

Jenna closed her eyes and kicked out with all her strength. Her foot hit flesh.

“Never close your eyes,” he growled. His hands clutched her heel. “Most attackers won’t expect you to fight back when you’re down. They think they have the advantage. Turn the tables.” He pulled her to her feet. “Again.”

Zach shoved her to floor. Jenna twisted and kicked with all her might. He jumped back, hips first, just in time to avoid her heel in his groin. She frowned, but Zach smiled. “You’re a natural.”

She couldn’t stop the pride rushing inside her. She faced him. “What if he grabs me?”

Zach took her through three more moves. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she finally stared in triumph down at Zach. Sweat dripped off her face, her entire body ached, but she’d tripped him.

“Yes!” She punched her fist in the air.

Zach grinned up at her. “You got it.”

She smiled back, then a horrifying thought raced through her mind. “What if Sam’s with me? He can’t run that fast. What if I need to really hurt Brad to protect Sam?”