“Sure, turn your head and pay attention.”

“Never mind. I’ll figure it out myself.” He took a step further away from me.

“You need to learn how to fight.” I shook my head. “You’re going to be slaughtered if you can’t protect yourself.”

“My aunt won’t let me take classes. She thinks I’ll get myself in trouble.”

I looked pointedly at his ear.

“Okay, she’s probably right.” He frowned. “Or I would have been quick enough to avoid you. You caught me off guard.”

I reached out and cuffed his other ear. Keeping my face blank I waited for his reaction. Part of me was willing to fight, not that I’d really hurt him. The other part of me wanted to see if he would be dumb enough to try it.

“Jesus Christ! What is wrong with you?” He hopped out of my way and glared at me. “You’re a sadistic fuck! I need my ears!”

I just stood there with my arms by my sides. “I am a sadistic fuck, but I wasn’t being one to you. I merely pointed out that you are really not ready to take anyone on. If I’d had a knife, you’d be bleeding to death on your aunt’s floor.”

“That’s why I need to learn to fight.” He stood there covering both of his ears. “I want to be able to take care of Aunt Mavis and myself.”

“And Laura.” I kept my face blank.

“Yes, and Laura. She barely knows I’m alive! I’d just left her house after our tutoring session when they took her. If I’d stayed I might have been able to stop them. Especially if I knew how to fight.” He glared at me with so much defiance I actually felt a twinge of pity.

“If you can find time to stop eating, I could teach you some things.” I shrugged. “But if your aunt finds out and says no, I’m going to back off.”

“You’ll teach me?” His expression was skeptical.

“I have some ground rules.” I held up my hand. “One, you do what I say without question, without arguing. Two, you don’t use what I teach you until I say you’re ready.”

He started to open his mouth and I just looked at him until he snapped it shut.

“Good. Three, even if I’m not around, you practice what I teach you. If you don’t then it’s all pointless.” I waited for a response but he didn’t say anything. “If you can abide by that, then I will teach you what I can. I’m not going to promise that you’ll make an amazing boxer or win medals at a tournament, but I promise to try and make you the best fighter you can be.”

I fought the urge to suck in a breath at my words. I’d just offered a string to tie me to this boy. I didn’t do things like this. I could have told him to find a gym or martial arts studio, but instead had offered to teach him myself. I’d basically bound myself to him. If he took me up on my offer and ended up dead, I’d be the one responsible.

“Agreed.” Kenny held his hand out and I shook it. There it went. I’d tied myself to him now. First Ava and now the gangly computer whiz. Life had turned fucking upside down.

“And you need to learn some respect.” I pulled him a little closer, not letting go of his hand. “I’m not your aunt. I won’t put up with your smart ass mouth. If you cop an attitude or insult your aunt or Ava in my hearing, I’m going to take it out of your ass. Understood?”

“Yes sir.” His smile grew. “When do we start?”

“Tomorrow.” I let go of his hand and pushed him toward the kitchen door. “Go shower and get some sleep. You stink.”

“Let me know when they get back?” His eyes focused on mine. The nonchalant teenage shrug didn’t hide his need to know his aunt was safe.

“Yes.”

He nodded before leaving. I could hear him taking the stairs two at a time. I sat down on the stool he had vacated and ate some of the chips he’d left on his plate. Agreeing to take care of Ava had been thought-free. It was an immediate knee-jerk reaction to the fear on her face. Offering to tie myself to Kenny had felt similar. I’d offered without thinking about what it would mean for me.

I didn’t do things without thinking. What was wrong with me? It was as if someone had flipped a switch in my head and I suddenly had protective instincts.

And I was pretty sure I knew who was to blame.

If anyone else had seen me, I would have denied it, but the thought of how Ava had influenced me made me smile. Everything felt a little more real, a little more survivable. Since I’d met her, I hadn’t felt like I’d sold pieces of my soul to be alive.

The sound of tires outside of the house had me on my feet. I moved close to the door and looked out the side of the curtain. The driver opened the door and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.

Ava took the driver’s hand as he assisted her out of the car, one long, bare leg at a time. The skirt she was wearing must’ve been painted on and the blouse showed off all that cleavage Kenny had thought was worth dying for. Her hair swung around her shoulders in long waves, her bangs pushed to the side, showcasing her giant blue eyes. She was sex and innocence rolled into one perfect package.

Most importantly she was here, safe, and didn’t look scared.

I took a deep breath and tried to remember that I was watching to make sure nothing was wrong, not to stare at the gorgeous American. Ava slipped a bag over her shoulder and shifted a coat to her free arm. Her eyes ran over the house, but she didn’t make any move to go up the steps.