Page 20 of Challenge Me

He had a point. Not that I was about to say that out loud; not immediately, anyway. I liked living. I also liked Lai’s face in its usual configuration. I didn’t especially want to be responsible for what might happen if a possessive, insecure muscle car decided to confront the most emotionally constipated assassin in the building.

But Ghost was right.

Lai valued a fresh manicure over his car, or at least that was how it looked from where Ghost was standing. And Ghost, being composed of approximately six decades of pride and abandonment issues, was not handling it well.

“Okay,” I said carefully. “But how do I fit into this equation?”

I threw a glance toward Fox.

His shadow was already sitting on his hood, chin propped in his hand, curious as hell about what was happening, one chrome fang pressed into his lower lip. His eyes were bright, amused, and far too invested. The horny little prick was enjoying watching.

Ghost didn’t look at him. He looked only at me.

“You are going to take me out.”

“I am?”

“You will help me buy a few things.”

“I will?”

“Parts. Tools.” His hand tightened around my sleeve. “And then, then you will make sure Lai drives me out.”

“To–?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Ghost shook his head, blue eyes burning brighter. “I need him alone.”

I winced. Ghost’s plan had a shape; I could see it. Trap Lai in the car. Put tools in reach. Manufacture a crisis. Force Lai to participate. As far as plans went, I’d heard worse.

But Ghost had failed to take into account one very important variable.

Teaching Lai anything was like teaching a cat to do tricks.

Lai was ungovernable.

But you know what? I wanted to see Ghost try. More than that, I wanted to see Lai surrender control. I wanted to see that man in his expensive suit, crouched in the footwell of his own car, sleeves rolled up, fingers dirty, dignity bleeding out onto the floor mat. I wanted to see him realize there were some things he couldn’t delegate.

So I agreed.

Just like that, all my plans went on the back burner for the chance to witness Lai swallow his pride.

“Fine,” I said. “You know what? I’m down.”

Ghost blinked once, like he hadn’t expected it to be that easy.

I lifted a finger. “Give me a moment to explain it to Fox, and I’ll be right there. I assume you have your keys?”

Ghost’s engine growled in response, and he released his grip on me.

A few yards away, Fox was waiting on his hood.

“Are we–?”

"I gotta help Ghost,” I sighed, watching the shadow deflate, sinking into the glossy paint. “I know,” I said quickly. “I know, I know. I promised.”

He looked away, a pout already forming.

I stepped closer and cupped his face as he reformed between my palms. He let me bring him in, though he made a point of looking deeply wounded about it.