The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(29)

“She’s just one of many, but I can’t help them all, not if they won’t let me.” He flipped the mat over and rotated again, facing me. “Like you. You keep people at a distance, so no one ever has the chance to get to know you. I don’t know who it was that messed you up so bad, but you still can’t let it go. Until you do, your past will control you.”

Yep, that was me in a nutshell. When did Mike become the f*cked-up people whisperer?

“Maybe you should keep that in mind when I ask for help. Since I appear to lack the common sense you wish I had, maybe it would be best if you taught me how to fight myself out of a tight spot. Who knows? Maybe over time I can let my guard down a bit and start living the life you want me to.”

He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “There’s always one.”

I took a drink of water and asked, “One what?”

“Person who thinks they can go it alone. That nothing can touch them.”

The two sentences were extremely sobering, summing me up better than I cared for. “I don’t think I’m infallible. I know I can be killed. I’m not Superwoman.”

“Maybe not, but you’re reckless.” He lowered his hand, studying me again, shaking his head. “I want to help you, but I won’t if you refuse to help yourself.”

Damn. All of this over a cab ride home? “How about this?” I asked, attempting to find common ground. “I’ll take a cab home, but there’s a condition.”

This time, his smile was genuine. “What might that be?”

“Weapons training. I’m tired of waiting.” I glanced at the Bo nestled inside the cage at the side of the room. Okay, so it did remind me of Kung Fu and Kane, but for some reason I really wanted to learn how to use the weapon, to manipulate it in the same way I could my butterfly knives.

“Done,” he said faster than I’d anticipated. “But I also have a condition.”

“What might that be?” I repeated his question with a grin, trying to pull him out of his funk.

“We start small,” he said and walked over to me. When he stopped inches away, he tapped my forehead again, this time softly. “And when you come to class, I want you in class. Nothing else exists outside this room.”

If only he knew what existed outside the room, he might have a different outlook on life. Mike was a big dude, one who could easily take care of himself. But if he found himself fighting the things I did, he’d understand just how weak he really was. Strength and muscle only got a person so far. Fortunately, he didn’t know about the things that went bump in the night, and I wasn’t going to enlighten him.

I brought my fingers up and gave him a playful salute. “Consider it done.”

“Good.”

“Do we really have to start small?” I couldn’t tell him how quickly I could adapt thanks to vampire blood, but thankfully our time together had proven I was capable—when my head was screwed on tight.

“Absolutely. You have to crawl before you walk.”

“Or take a cab before someone gives you the keys to your own wheels,” I quipped, sullen but not caring.


“Whatever it takes to keep people safe. That’s what’s important.”


“Even if it means they’ll have to waste perfectly good energy, not to mention cash, to make it happen.”

“Money doesn’t go with you when you die.”

“True, but if you’re alive it’s best to have it on hand.”

“So start budgeting. You’re a smart girl. You can stretch your resources if you have to.” He smiled and strode past me. “If you have anything else to practice, I suggest you hurry up. I have another class coming in a few minutes. As much as I like you, I can’t stand around and hold your hand. Get the hell out of my dojo.”

“Consider me gone,” I called out to his departing back.

I took a deep breath, anxious and excited. A bloodsucking knife was great, a gun was even better, but learning how to use other tools of the trade meant I could wield common things as weapons, turning them from simple to dangerous. After all, ass was better kicked when you had Yoda moves and an arsenal at your disposal.

Just call me a Jedi ninja in training.





Chapter Eight


When I left the gym I decided it was time to hit my apartment for the shower I desperately needed. I’d taken the amulet off and placed it in my bag before I’d entered the dojo, which meant I was sore in all sorts of places. The blood Disco had given me helped soothed the aches, but being tossed around by more seasoned members of my class—thrown to the ground and contorted in all kinds of strange ways—made my muscles scream for the steady thrum of hot water on skin.

I’d just managed to toss on fresh clothes following my shower—shit kickers, a tight black T-shirt, and skinny jeans—when I heard a knock on the front door. The sound was unexpected and put me on alert. I’d already met with Sonja, Deena wouldn’t stop by without calling first, and I couldn’t think of anyone who would want to come by my shabby apartment for a chat.

I glanced at the duffel on my bed, contemplating if I should get the amulet, when another knock—louder this time—made the decision for me. Whoever had come calling knew I was inside. I slid the necklace over my head and crept to the door, holding my breath.