Chapter 18

Bernard didn’t have an ounce of toxic manliness in him, so she wasn’t surprised when he smiled like a proud big brother instead of being bitter about constantly losing to a woman. Especially one so much smaller than him.

“I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, bring it, old man. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

“Old man! Oh ho ho, it’s on now,” he roared, green eyes sparkling.

Once gloved up and inside the ring, they circled, no longer smiling as they sized each other up, both looking for weaknesses and cracks in the other’s defenses.

Livia lost patience first, as usual, and attacked, using speed and her small size to dart forward within his guard. Feinting with a jab, she tried to land a shot to his ribs.

Unfortunately, that left her face unguarded.

She saw the punch coming in time to twist and avoid most of the blow, but not all of it. He caught her at the corner of her mouth, splitting her lower lip on her teeth.

Darting aw