“Girls,” Shiori warned.

A warning that didn’t stop the escalating screaming match.

Knox rolled his eyes. Then he sat between the two warring girls. “Enough.”

“She started it,” Abby said sullenly.

Addy tried to kick her.

Knox put his hand on Addy’s leg. “Ms. Hirano, there’s another class in room two. Since Addy thinks she’s ready to move belt levels, will you please escort her into that class?”

“Right now?”

“Yep. Abby, say goodbye to your sister.”

“Come on, Addy,” Shiori said.

Addy didn’t budge. Abby gasped. “You can’t do that! We have to be in the same class.”

Shiori shrugged. “No, you don’t. My brother and I didn’t even go to the same martial-arts school. Plus, the crying and carrying on makes me wonder if you even like taking jujitsu classes.”

Another gasp—from Addy this time. “But it’s our favorite thing!”

“Then maybe you should act like it. Come on, Addy. Let’s get you settled in the other class.”

“Please don’t put me in a different class,” Addy pleaded with Knox.

“I didn’t mean what I said,” Abby added. “Addy is helping me learn better. Please let her stay.”

“You’re both sure this is what you want?” Knox asked.

They both nodded.

“Fine. But your actions do have consequences. You will sit out the remainder of class, and if I see any grappling, hitting, or kicking I will have words with your parents.”

“We’ll be good, Shihan. We promise,” Addy said. She mimed zipping her lips, and Abby did the same.

Knox patted them each on the leg and stood. “Pay attention because I may test you after class.”

“I’m impressed,” Shiori admitted to him grudgingly.

“My sisters yelled and screamed at each other, but the second Mom tried to separate them, they were best buddies again. I thought I’d give it a shot.”

“Smart.”

“All right,” Knox said, standing in front of the class. “Get up. Take off your belts. At the count of ten, we’ll have a belt-tying contest.” He inclined his head to Shiori. “Ms. Hirano? Will you lead the countdown in Japanese?”

“Ready? Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyu, ju!”

A flurry of belt tying ensued.

“I’ve always wondered. Did you and Ronin ever take jujitsu classes together?” Knox asked.

“No. He was always way more advanced than me. Our dad didn’t feel the same need to push me into it like he did Ronin. Our mother is the one who insisted I train—probably preparing me to spar with my grandfather.” She paused. “But once when I was about five I asked Ronin to practice with me.”

“What happened?”

“He kicked me so hard—on accident—that he broke two of my ribs. He felt horrible. So horrible that he agreed to play dolls with me every day until I was better.” Shiori shot him a sideways glance. “And no, you cannot tell Sensei Black you know that story.”

Knox grinned. “No worries. I played dolls with my sisters, too, and I was a helluva lot older than eight.”

“Done!” a towheaded boy in the front row yelled.

“Good job, Dylan. Now you get to come up front and pick what we do next.” Knox leaned down and whispered in his ear.

His ease with younger kids didn’t surprise her, since the man got along with everyone.

Including you?

Yes. They’d forged an unspoken truce yesterday after Knox had knocked Deacon down a peg, proving he could lead.

Now if they could just get through the last day of the week without incident, she might believe—just might—they’d survive the next nine weeks.

*   *   *

IN the locker room Friday night, Fee asked Shiori, “You coming to Diesel with us?”

“Who’s us?” Although she hadn’t seen Knox since she’d arrived to teach that afternoon, Zach had mentioned Knox was in the Crow’s Nest, getting an overview of the classes.

“Black Arts and ABC’s finest. It’s Friday night and I’m on the prowl.”

Shiori pulled the ponytail holder out and shook her hair free. “Had any luck finding prey?”

“Last month I met a bull rider from Brazil. Sweet. Kind of shy until I bought him a few shots. We ended up going back to his hotel and ay caramba. He was built, hung like a bull, and knew how to use his hips.” She sighed. “I loved that he talked dirty. Made me realize how much I missed hearing my language in those intimate moments.” Fee gave her a curious look. “What about you?”