Heartstrings

Chapter 36

_ "one of our new recruits did, that's what happened" he explained, throwing daggers at the men.

_ "can't wait to meet him,  you guys look priceless no offense" snickered Justus.

_ "her" corrected my old man.

_ "her?" We all said in sync.

_ "yes, a very beautiful girl with light brown hair... I think she'd be perfect for you son. Maybe she can tame you a-bit, ey hijo?" he joked.

I roll my eyes as Athena and Justus burst into laughter.

_ "Let's go meet your soon to be wife Landon. Can't wait to get to know her" snickers Athena, patting me on the back before walking past me. Justus followed suite, trying to stifle his chuckles.

_ "how many are there?" I ask.

_ "three, two girls... one stupid blond and the feisty brunette and a bald guy" answers mi padre. "Meet me in my office after you're done, I will need the results of all three of the recruits. Then the one with the most skills and highest score will travel with you to Mexico." He says confidently.

_ "and how do you know we can trust them that easily? They are just newbies, they don't have enough skill nor experience, and for all we know they could be spies or something."

_ "trust me, she is no spy and I think she has enough skills and experience for you to take along. Now go meet the hermosa. I promise you won't be deceived." He winks at me and walks away.

Who is this girl?

I walk into the room that held the new members. Athena and Justus stood there at the door, mouths agape, both shellshocked. I look around the room following their gaze past the bald guy and the blond, only to land on the pulchritudinous girl wrapping her hands with athletic gauze bandages. My eyes widen with realization. There sat Heaven. She raised her eyes and took the twins and I in shock.

_ "Justus? Athena? L-Landon?!"

_ "Heaven!?" Exclaim the twins in harmony.

_ "what are you doing here?" Asks Athena.

_ "uhh- umm... let's test you all first then talk" I cut them off. Making it obvious we know Heaven will only make the other two more competitive and make them think she is receiving special treatment.

The twins and Heaven stare at me quizzically and I give them a nod, motioning to the other two people standing in the room with my eyes. They all seem to have understood as they put on poker faces and Heaven continued wrapping the gauze around her hands.

_ "we now shall be testing your combat skills by performing a one on one. Introduce yourselves please."

_ "I am Elena Kashenyov. I was trained in Russia to be a Femme Fatale, but circumstances have brought me here. I can serve as good bait, and can flirt my way into getting what I from people" said the blond confidently, a heavy accent overpowering her words. She winked at me biting her bottom lip playfully. I look at Heaven, who shot daggers mentally at Elena. Damn... if looks could kill, the poor Russian would be dead by now. That was hot. "I can also fight well" she resumed, returning Heaven the nasty look.

_ "Cyrus" said the bold guy "I was a bodybuilder before getting kicked out of my job and house. Could be useful as a bodyguard or a trainer." His introduction was vague and short.

_ "Heaven, illegal fighter, know a few things about trade and sales, can be useful for weapon trade. Have been hacking phones, computers and cameras ever since I was 11. Also, I've been trained by a professional on how to shoot. Familiar with different kind of guns and have a perfect aim." Says Heaven as she smiles at Athena at the last sentence. I was shocked by the amount of skills she had. She had it all. Yet that didn't stop my blood from boiling and the million of questions running through my mind as to how she ended up here.

_ "Alright, let's get started then. First up Cyrus and Justus" I say, shaking my thoughts and frustration away.

Justus and Cyrus went up head to head. The fight was intense and bloody. Cyrus surely had the power... but he didn't have Justus's tactics and experience. He was the strongest fighter we have. In less than 2 minutes. Cyrus was down.

_ "not bad" I nod, throwing a towel at both of them. "Athena you're up" she nods at me and says:

_ "come on princess, show me what you got"
I could tell she did not like Elena.

Contrary to Cyrus, Elena had the tactics and experience, she had been trained at a special school after all. And in this fight, Elena had the upper hand as combat was not Athena's strength, yet she managed to almost take her opponent down. After 7 minutes of fighting, Athena gave up panting.

_ "Alright big boy, you're up." said Heaven as she made her way towards the ring with determination. I chuckled at her words.

_ "you think you can beat me?" I query cockily.

_ "No.... I know I can" she replies, winking at me, her voice sultry.

_ "kick some ass girl" whispers Athena.

*Heaven's POV*
I smile at Athena then step in the ring. This was my happy place. Let's get it on.

My confidence and insolence all dissolved, as soon as Landon stepped on the ring and took off his shirt. His handsome face was enough of a distraction as it is, add a godly body to the mixture... He shot me a vainglorious smirk. Oh... ohohoo... this motherfucker knew what he was doing. I return him a pompous grin, then take off my shirt, leaving only my sports bra on. He looked flustered.

^Landon's POV^
_ "game on" was the last thing she said before tying her hair and getting in position. I was not one to wait to be attacked, so I briskly lunged at her throwing a jab. She dodged it. I exhaled a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Truth be told, I was afraid of hurting her, even though I knew she was a pro in fighting. As if she felt my unease, she said:

_ "don't go easy on me... please". I nodded in response. With that, she took an expeditious step lessening the space between us and punched me once in the stomach once under the chin. Oh she was quick. I then aimed a hook at her head, and as she blocked it, I held her by her tiny waist, which felt right in my hands, and threw her to the floor. As soon a she hit the floor, I was ready to proclaim victory, only to crash to the ground myself. And that... was the last straw, before my angry and competitive side was unleashed.

I grabbed her by her leg, ready to throw her once more, but she quickly twisted it out of my grasp and stood up, sending her foot to my face. I barely dodged it as it wizzed near my ear. I stood up quickly and took in her inferno eyes, burning holes into my own.

~Athena's POV~
Ten minutes had passed since they started to fight, and both Landon and Heaven were up on their feet and ready for more. The tension between them suffocated everyone in the room, even the two newbies could tell that it could be cut with a knife. They both got lost in each others eyes, as if trying to read each other. With the speed of light, Landon placed himself behind Heaven and wrapped his arm around her neck. Her back slammed hard against his bare chest, leaving no space between them whatsoever. Heaven ran her fingers through his hair down his neck then ran her nails on his arm which was still wrapped around her neck, suffocating her. Goosebumps appeared on his arms and he shuddered, slightly loosening his grip on her.

With no hesitation, Heaven leaned forward, now carrying Landon on her back, then slammed him with all the force she had on the floor. Laying on his back, Landon winced, shutting his eyes in pain. Heaven then sat on his torso asking:

_ "you good?"

He pulled her closer, their faces inches apart.

Things were starting to get out of control, Elena and Cyrus should not witness this, and it was starting to get too mushy for my taste.

_ "Alright! Heaven won... let's move on" I yelled. Heaven got off of Landon, and Justus rushed to help him off the floor.

_ "it's okay, you may have not won, but you'll be able to make her sweat in other ways" Justus winked at Landon, helping him to a chair. Everyone looked at him bewildered. Then, a shoe was thrown at him....