He taught her to lower her center of gravity by bending her knees if grabbed from behind, then exploding up all at once, and other tactics, like going limp to get her attacker off-balance, which went against every iota of her being when fear was fueling her. Every effort ended with a sprint away from her attackers, and every practice move got harder, not easier.

This was nothing like her classes with Lior. There was no laughter, no calm between attacks, no water breaks. The better she got at her footwork, the more they ramped up their efforts. Eliani stood off to the side calling out advice, showing them different moves Tracey could try since she was so small, like ducking instead of pivoting. Tracey was sweating, her heart racing, as Diesel and Lior surrounded her time and time again, grabbing her, saying mean things that attackers might say. The more she tried to punch or kick, the harder they combated it and the louder Diesel roared. You’re wasting energy. Focus. Where’s your escape? He stalked closer, and she threw a punch, but he evaded it. Escape, Tracey, he commanded. It was so real, fear consumed her. She fought harder, trying to get out from between them, kicking and punching, her head swimming. When Lior grabbed her from behind, she struggled futilely, just as she had the night of her attack. Tears of anger burned as Diesel stalked toward her.

“I can’t do it!” she seethed. “I’m sorry!”

Diesel lowered his face beside hers, speaking gruffly. “You can do it. This is your live or die moment. Are you going to let some asshole take that away from you, or are you going to get the fuck away and come home to me?”

Something inside her snapped, and she bent her knees, taking Lior down with her, throwing him off-balance enough to get an elbow to his gut and loosen his hold. She tore out of his arms and ran, but Diesel caught her by the wrist, yanking her toward him. She threw her palm toward his nose, clipping his chin enough to send his head back, and kicked him in the groin. He stumbled, and she yanked her arms free, sprinting to the other side of the room, shaking, gasping for breath, tears falling down her cheeks, as Eliani and Lior cheered her on.

Diesel closed the distance between them, covering his crotch with one hand.

“Sorry,” she panted out, swiping at the sweat dripping down her cheeks.

“You nailed it, baby girl.”

“I’ll never be able to do that in a real-life situation. I almost gave up.” She hated admitting that, but it was true.