Trainer

*Sandra*

I don't know if Joseph knew he was looking at Jackson like he wanted to strangle him, but I could see it. The worry lines on his face were fully in view. When he grabbed my hand, his grip was firm and possessive, which I didn't mind. I did not, however, want to see an inner war break out with all the war around us. I smiled at him to let him know my focus was, as always, on him. He looked at me but I could see that Jackson had bothered him some. Jackson looked at our hands and I could also see a hint of jealousy before he quickly looked away. I hope he doesn't imagine I would ever hurt Joseph, because I wouldn't, ever. Jay came and sat down with the guy who would run the drone, Ken. I smiled at him, he does look like a Ken doll. Jay looked from me to Jackson with a concerned look, but I just smiled at him. "Hello, Ken, How have you like being here?" I asked trying to push the attention somewhere else. "It has been nice, miss, I am just glad I can be of some use." Jay laughed when he called me miss, knowing I didn't like it. "I am Sunshine," I said and Jay laughed harder. "Sunshine works," Jackson said, looking down at his coffee. I looked up to Joseph, who was now glaring again. "Well, Chef, this food sure looks delicious." Henry was also looking annoyed by the interest Jackson seemed to have in me. I was the only one not bothered by it. I think he simply appreciated that he was here, and gave me some sort of credit for that. "Where is Z?" I asked getting a stern look from all my guys. "He is on business." Joseph mumbled, I shrugged, "Well he is missing a hell of a breakfast." I said shaking off the looks. "Ken, how long have you been working with computers and drones?" I asked trying to take the attention again off of myself. "I have always worked on computers. It was an important part of our training. Jay should be as educated in that as I am," he gave Jay a questioning look, and Jay nodded. "I took a special interest in drones and ground cameras. Another guard who came up with us, was entering a home and was killed. A drone would have told us that he was in danger before he entered. It could have saved his life." I looked to Jay who seemed to flinch when he mentioned the death of another guard who was trained with them. I looked at him, realizing I didn't know much about him. He never opened up, none of them did. Except Henry, he has told me more than the rest, maybe even more than Joseph had.

"I am sorry you lost a friend," I said watching Jay's reactions more than Ken's. "He wasn't our friend. We didn't have friends, we had competition." Jay said, looking at Ken. He was telling him to shut up without actually saying it with his expression. Ken took note. Every bite of the casserole was like heaven in my mouth. The table got quiet everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Joseph was eating much better since he had healed some. I hadn't seen him get back to working out yet. Most of the guys trained with Jay. He was like the ultimate trainer. He was a superhuman when it came to the gym. I had seen it a few times in passing. I had seen it before I faced Ryan. I know he could make me stronger if I continued to train with him. Maybe if I gained some more physical ability, I wouldn't have to worry about something like Jericho happening again. I looked at Jay and smiled, "What are you thinking Sis?" He said noticing my menacing looks. "I need to train," I said looking from him to Joseph. "Train for?" Joseph said, shoving another large spoonful of goodness in his mouth. "Train. Get stronger. Learn to protect myself." I said looking from face to face at the table. "Why do you need to protect yourself with all these Greek gods surrounding you?" Jackson said laughing at his joke. "Well because these Greek Gods get busy, and sometimes I need to be able to defend myself too," I said rolling my eyes unintentionally. Joseph grabbed my thigh under the table, probably noticing the eye roll. Jackson smirked noticing as well. I shook my head subconsciously. "Look." I said looking over to Jay again, ignoring the pissing contest around me, "If I had more training I could have saved myself a lot of trouble with Jericho." Everyone around me tensed again, even Ken. "I know I am new here." Jackson started, "You are." Joseph said interrupting him. "Sunshine, my queen, If you want to train... It is okay with me." He said sighing out the words. "Great," I said smiling at Jay again, who nodded at me and told me he would see me in an hour after the casserole had digested some. "I have quite a bit of training to do in the next few days, might as well have some company." He smiled, with his crooked hulk-like smile, "Joseph, What kind of things need to be completed here in the city? What can I do to be of use here?" Jackson asked, clearly aware he had irritated the king. "I will give assignments after I have eaten breakfast with MY queen." His emphasis on "my" is obvious. I finished my last bite and walked to the sink to rinse my plate and put it in the dishwasher. Henry came behind me with big eyes and I know everything smile. "I can get this, go get some workout gear ready." I nodded and squeezed his arm before heading to kiss Joseph as I left the room.

When I made it to the gym, Jay was already lifting weights that looked like they weighed more than I did. I smiled as I walked in, and he pointed to the punching bags in the corner. "Hey sis, I think it would be good for you to get some power in your punches, I can teach you to know someone out my size. It seems you might need to before Smoke does." He kind of smiled at me as he walked toward me. Everyone noticed Joseph's irritation with Jackson. I was glad to know it wasn't just me. I shook my head, "I think he is just being nice. He probably thinks he is here because of me or something. It wasn't me, more Zeus." I said rolling my eyes as he started to wrap my hands with tape. I had seen this done before, my dad did it before he sparred in boxing. I smiled at the memory. My dad had shown me clearly how to throw a punch. I have gotten weaker over the years, with Ryan, without workouts. Jay looked down at me, "You thinking of your dad, eh?" he said startling me because I didn't realize he knew about him. "I heard Smoke tell about his time in Ohio." I shook my head yes at his explanation. "He was an award-winning boxer, probably could have gone pro, if he wouldn't be weighted down with responsibilities," I mumbled towards the end. "I am positive your father was very glad he had you to take care of him Sunshine, I know we all are." He nudged me on the shoulder and stood up. He explained how to hit the punching bag with force. Some of what he said I could remember Dad telling me, but some of the information was a bit different. I could tell Jay was trained to cause real pain, to take someone out. I did what he said for almost twenty minutes before stopping to get a sip of water. He was watching me as he lifted his Sandra-sized weights, making me very glad we were on the same side. "Tommasso won't stand a chance." I said posing with my arms flexed to give him a "gun show". That's what my dad would call it. He laughed so hard that he dropped the barbell and almost crushed his toes. "Sunshine." I spun around and saw Jackson staring me down. This guy needs to give it a rest. "Can I help you Jackson?" Jay asked him telling me the bag wasn't going to punch itself. "Smoke sent me to train with you." He said which made me stop automatically. "He did? Why?" I asked, looking at him confused. "He said Jay might need a sparring partner." I held in my giggles. Joseph was trying to kill this guy. "I am more of a challenge than you think." I looked to Jay who nodded."Jackson is a trained MMA fighter. He will be helpful in my training." Then he looked at Jackson, "But... if you keep looking at my sister the way you have been, I will break your neck." Jackson blushed, "I am sorry, I don't mean to. I apologize queen." I nodded and turned to hit the bag some more.

When Joseph walked in I almost didn't hear him. I had become hypnotized by the rhythm of my hands hitting the bag. The pattern of the punches, and the sound when I connected, and powder flying from my hands. When he touched my shoulder I flinched. "Are you okay darlin?" He asked concerned with my reaction. "I am. Sorry, I got carried away." I smiled placing my palm on his cheek. He kissed my hand and smiled. "I thought maybe you would want to join me in for a while." As the words came out I could see the darkness in his eyes. He wanted to own me. Jackson had gotten under his skin.
"Always Boss."