Read Online Crave the Darkness by Amanda Bonilla - Free Book Online

in his life to make him look so hard.
    “How long has he been with you?” I inclined my head toward the boy. < [ bord.
    “Not long. But he’s smart. A quick learner, too. And tough as any hardened soldier. One of Xander’s recommendations.”
    I tore my gaze from the boy and turned my attention back to the mats. Liam had managed to wrestle the
bokken
from Myles, and the two were throwing punches and kicks like an action movie fight scene right out of the eighties. Liam was big, not to mention strong. But Myles was quick and managed to keep the upper hand despite his opponent’s strength. Bloodied, panting, sweat beading on their foreheads—I realized they could go at it all day. Neither one of them would be willing to drop any time soon.
    “That’s enough!” I shouted over the din of fighting.
    Liam and Myles froze in a tangle of arms and legs. Usually, I’d be thrilled to have thrown my weight around. But today, I wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted to get the selections over with and go back to bed.
    “We all get it,” I said, approaching the edge of the mat. “You’re both big, tough motherfuckers and can kick each other’s asses raw. Point made. You’re done and can get back in line.”
    The two detangled from one another and shot me a matched set of sullen stares as they made their way to the group.
    “One more thing.” Liam and Myles froze, though neither turned to look at me. “If I see you two fighting over petty bullshit again, I’ll bring a world of hurt down on both of you personally. And I can guarantee you won’t be walking out of this gym without help.”
    Raif didn’t chime in. He knew he didn’t need to. He’d told me to be a leader, and whether I liked it or not, I’d stepped up to the plate. Guess it was too late to back out now.
    The remaining candidates sparred in mixed groups, Louella fought twice, impressing me even more the second time. Asher, the wild towheaded blond, was everything Raif said he’d be. Quick, skilled, precise. That kid was lightning in a bottle. I wondered what would happen when someone finally pulled the cork.
    “You’re all dismissed until further notice,” Raif said once the parade was over. He waited until the gym door closed behind the last candidate, the sound reverberating off the cement walls. “Would you like a couple of days to make a decision?”
    “That’s not necessary,” I said, flipping through the files one last time.
    “All right, then. Who would you like?”
    “Louella for sure. That girl can fight. And Julian, because I have a feeling he’s usually not too far from Louella anyway.” I scanned the files again. Julian hadn’t been an impressive fighter, which might have been because he was too preoccupied with his apparent crush on Louella to put serious effort into sparring against her. But his file indicated that he was smart. Genius smart. And I needed brains as well as brawn.
    “Good choice. Though you’ll have to watch out for Julian. You have to use a heavy hand if you want to keep him on task. That leaves two empty seats,” Raif said. “Who else?”
    “Myles.” I flipped through the files once more. I didn’t know how I’d handle the both of them, but I never did anything halfway. “And Liam.”
    “Will it matter to you if I advise against taking them both? I’d suggest keeping [ggewidt Liam and dismissing Myles.” That surprised me. If anything I’d thought he’d want Liam left off the list. He seemed the most hotheaded.
    “You said I made the final decision. Liam has the muscle, but Myles is ruthless. I need ruthless as well.”
    Raif inclined his head, though I could tell he wasn’t happy with the concession. “That should do it, then. I’ll—”
    “And Asher,” I said over the top of Raif. “I want him.”
    “I said four.”
    “I want him, Raif. I won’t take no for an answer.”
    Raif stalked to the double doors, shaking his head as he walked. “I suppose not, but there’s a first time for