Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 71179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Vinnie nods, stepping onto the rubber mats. “Sounds like you’ve got the right idea so far. Show me what you’ve got.”
I start with a basic jab, the air whistling as my fist cuts through it. “Speed over power to begin with,” I say, my voice steady, eyes fixed. “But then, you combine them.”
“Let’s make it a bit more interactive,” Vinnie suggests, rolling his shoulders. “Pretend I’m your attacker.”
“All right.” I motion him forward. “Try to grab my shoulder.”
He lunges, a bit theatrically, and I sidestep, redirecting his momentum and following through with a mock elbow strike to his ribs. “You use their energy, Vinnie. You don’t fight against it, you guide it where you want.”
He rubs his side, feigning injury. “Nice.”
I giggle, feeling the adrenaline rush. “There’s more. I learned how to get out of a chokehold. Want to see?”
“Yeah, but go easy on me.” He places his hands loosely around my neck from behind.
With a swift movement, I drop down into a horse stance, making myself heavier and harder to hold. I shoot my arm up and hook it around his, pulling it away from my neck as I turn into him and push him back. “That’s how you create space and escape.”
Vinnie stumbles, seemingly impressed. “That’s effective.”
I can’t help a proud smile. “But it’s not all about escaping. Sometimes you have to disable your attacker to get away.” I walk over to the padded wall with diagrams of pressure points and strike zones. “You aim for the vulnerabilities—eyes, throat, knees, solar plexus.”
He follows, studying the diagrams. “This is serious stuff, Savannah.”
“It is,” I agree and point to a dummy in the corner. “I practice my strikes there. Accuracy is as important as strength.”
Vinnie watches as I demonstrate, my fists thudding against the rubber torso. “Each hit has to have intent behind it.”
After a minute, I step back, breathing heavily but controlled. “And when you can’t punch”—I pant slightly—“you learn to grapple. Wrestling techniques, joint locks, using leverage.”
“You could give those MMA fighters a run for their money,” Vinnie jokes, but there’s a trace of real admiration in his voice.
I laugh, wiping sweat from my brow. “The point is not to fight in a ring, Vinnie. It’s to make sure I can deal with our family—and the McAllisters—without being afraid.”
He steps forward, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know, and I’m proud of you. You’ve always been tough, but now, you’re like... superhero tough.”
“I don’t know about superhero,” I say, looking away, feeling a little bashful but happy. “But I do feel more in control. And that’s a start.”
Vinnie gives me a mock salute. “What’s next in the training regimen?”
I roll my shoulders back. “Get ready, because next I’ll teach you how to fall without getting hurt. It’s all about rolling with it, literally.”
He groans. “All right, let’s do it.”
We spend the next hour on the mats. I show Vinnie the art of falling, rolling, and getting back up again, the basement gym filled with our grunts of effort, a space where I’m not just learning to defend myself, but also teaching my brother to see me in a new light.
“I wouldn’t want to run into you,” he says, wiping the back of his neck with a towel.
I laugh softly. “You’re not who concerns me.” I grab a towel for myself. “But the next time Miles McAllister comes near me, I’m going to be more than ready. After all, you saw me shoot.” I stand tall. “He won’t get near me again.”
21
FALCON
“You can come in now,” the bailiff says.
I rise and follow Lola back into the room where the parole board sits.
“All rise,” the bailiff says once more.
Once the judge is seated, she nods to the parole board. “Ms. Guzman, have you come to a decision?”
“We have, your honor.”
“Very well. Go ahead. The defendant will rise.”
Lola and I stand together.
Ms. Guzman clears her throat. “Good afternoon, everyone. We have just concluded the parole revocation hearing for Mr. Falcon Bellamy, who was facing allegations of parole violations, specifically missing required meetings with his parole officer and possession of a firearm. After careful consideration of the evidence and statements presented, it’s time to discuss our decision regarding Mr. Bellamy’s parole. Mr. Lane?”
The man to her right clears his throat. “I want to start by acknowledging that Mr. Bellamy has shown genuine remorse for his actions. He admitted to the violation, explained the context, and expressed a strong commitment to his rehabilitation.”
Oh God. Why do I feel there’s a but coming?
My heart pounds in my chest and my vision blurs.
I blink several times and everything refocuses just in time for me to see Ms. Guzman nodding to the other board member.
Mr. Lane continues. “Mr. Bellamy’s quick acknowledgment of his lapse in judgment and his efforts to seek counseling and support demonstrate that he understands the gravity of his actions and is taking steps to address the issue.”