He’s more likely to pay someone off to secure easier opponents for her than leave stones unturned, except I doubt he’s dumb enough to do that. Celine would kick his ass. And my spying has made one thing crystal clear: Alistair is still in the doghouse—proof Celine is every bit as stubborn as I am.
Her fist plows into the wolf’s shifted face, and his human body collapses.
I cheer along with everyone else while assessing the guy. His control is impressive. Shifting only his head and claws while leaving the rest of his body human isn’t easy to do. Growing up surrounded by shifters taught me that. The control many of these Fringe fighters have... it makes me wonder why they ended up here to begin with.
Joshua should expand his recruitment—No. I stop myself. I’m not here for the enclave or Dad or Joshua. For once, I’m here for me. For Celine.
Someone drags the wolf shifter from the cage, and Celine blinks out at the crowd like she’s surprised by their ferocious support. I smirk. For someone as confident as she is, she never expects praise, and she’s having a hard time adjusting to how much they love her.
Celine scans the sea of spectators. Her eyes land on me and stop, sparking with irritation. I hold her glare but don’t return it, letting an unhinged smile split my face. For a solid minute, she stares at me. Shivering, I soak in her attention, letting her anger burn to the marrow of my bones.
Fuck, she’s hot when she’s pissed.
The emcee nudges her warily, and Celine blinks. Surprised to find she lost time staring into my eyes? Gods, I hope so. Pivoting, she disappears into the cage wall without a second’s hesitation.
Without the heat of her anger, I shiver.
“She’ll beat your ass for that stunt, Casanell.”
I turn my smile on Luca and clear my throat. “I’m not that lucky, and we both know it.”
He rolls his hazel eyes. “Why haven’t you turned us in?”
Letting my smile fall, I raise one eyebrow. “You know the answer to that question.”
“Celine thinks it’s psychological warfare.”
“Devious.” I snort a laugh. “Celine thinks I’m cooler than I am.”
“Don’t distract her during her fights,” he says. “And watch out for Ali, he’s really pissed?—”
“I can speak for myself.” Alistair appears at Luca’s side, a furious glower on his face. His fingers flex around nothing, and I remember how they felt around my throat.
Something crazy takes over me, and I can’t stop myself from messing with him. Leaning forward, I smooth the furrows in his forehead with my index finger. “You shouldn’t frown so much,” I tell him. “People will think you’re bad in bed.”
Alistair bats my hand away and hisses.
Luca laughs. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why would they think that?”
Raising both eyebrows, I lick my lips as I look him up and down. “Imagine how it would feel to never get anyone off... wouldn’t that make you frown?”
“I don’t know.” Luca grins. “I’ve never had that problem.”
“Stop entertaining this,” Alistair demands.
“Stop telling me what to do,” Luca says mildly, tossing his arm around Ali’s shoulders.
“Did you lose the winged himbo?” I glance behind them, but there’s no burly angel in sight. He’s been glued to Celine since I returned to Vegas, and I’m dying to know the story there.
“He’s waiting for Celine.”
“Good,” I say. “Should we meet them there?”
Alistair grunts and vanishes into the crowd.
Luca runs his fingers through his hair, making the melted milk chocolate strands stand on end. It should be goofy, so why do I want to kiss him? “Be careful, Ciprian. It’s not safe around here, especially not for you.”
I nod and watch him weave through the spectators. His warning encourages me. It may be dangerous for a Casanell on the Fringes, but Luca called me by my first name. Like an inchworm crossing a six-lane highway, I’m making progress.
