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“Close enough,” she chirps.

I grab her ankles and tug, bringing her to the floor. Flipping her flat on her back, I lean my body over hers. “Not that close,” I say and kiss her lips as she chuckles against them.

“Still counts,” she replies.

I push up and offer her my hand, then pull her to her feet. When I turn around, everyone is staring at me.

“What?”

Vero just smiles, and Kayla looks at Brawley as he comes through the cage door. She throws herself at him, and he spins her around. “I did it!”

“You did,” he says and laughs with her before putting her back down. Vero runs over and wraps his arms around her from behind.

“You were amazing,” he says into her shoulder. “I was ready to jump in, then bam, you got him down.”

“And what would you have done?” Ares says flatly.

Vero shrugs. “Grabbed her and ran. I can outrun all you motherfuckers.”

Kayla laughs as she meets my eyes over his shoulder, and I wink at her.

As I step out of the ring, Ares hands me a bottle of water, and I take a long drink.

“She belongs here,” he says, low enough only I can hear him.

I nod, thinking she does as well.

Chapter Thirteen

Ares

The briefing runs seven minutes over because Nixie has strong opinions on the new paintball course and people have been fighting over it. I stand at the back of the tent and wait. Kayla is outside and has been given a staff wristband—it was my idea, and Nixie agreed since she is here so often. It keeps her from getting confused as a guest and being made to leave if none of us are with her.

Once Nixie wraps up, I spin and am almost out of the tent when Luca steps in front of me.

“You don’t like me.”

It’s not a question when he already knows the answer. I know how he operates, yet even now he asks a simple question as if it were casual conversation. Luca moves to the side, and I turn to keep Kayla in my periphery.

“I don’t know you,” I reply.

“No, but you have already made up your mind,” he says in a warm tone. He isn’t accusing me of anything, or at least his voice does not suggest it.

“I haven’t decided anything yet.”

He smiles and I know the tactic well, as I do the same. It makes the other person feel like they have said something worthwhile, and I know exactly how much work goes into making it look effortless.

“Fair enough,” he answers.

He follows my gaze to where Kayla is standing outside under a string of lights. She has her arms crossed and is looking toward something I can’t see from here.

“Is she a guest?” Luca asks.

“No,” I reply.

“So she is staff. I haven’t met her yet.”

“She is none of your concern.”