“Touche,” Cade said, admitting defeat.
“So…the gamemaster?” Kota asked Tris.
Cade’s hand landed on the back of Tris’s head, ruffling his hair fondly. “My mouse runs all of it. The whole operation. He’s the one who turned the message board into an actual game.”
“Oh,” Kota said. “You must be really smart.”
Tris immediately sat up straighter.
“He is,” Cade bragged with a grin. The pride in his voice was impossible to miss. Tris practically glowed beneath it.
“Wanna see how it works?” Tris asked.
Kota’s eyes went wide with surprise. “Am I allowed?”
“Well, since you’re here, I’m gonna assume you’re inner circle now, yes?”
Tris wasn’t looking at Kota, but at Walker. The smile slipped just enough for Kota to realize this wasn’t really a question about the app. It was like a stand-off of some kind.
“That’s up to you, squirrel. How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?” Walker asked.
Kota bit his lower lip, studying Walker’s face. Walker gave him a small nod. Not impatient. Not reluctant. Reassuring. Like he was telling Kota that this was his choice. That he was allowed to know. Allowed to stay. Allowed to be part of this strange, dangerous little corner of Walker’s life.
Warmth spread through his chest.
He smiled at Walker, then immediately turned toward Tris, scooting closer until their shoulders touched. “Show me everything.”
Tris looked delighted.
Cade and Walker talked, switching from Champagne to something stronger as Tris walked Kota through the app. The targets. The point system. The badges. The rankings. The money. The safe houses. The bizarre sense of community that somehow existed among people who made their living killing other people.
By the time he finished, Kota’s head was spinning. He pulled the lollypop from between his lips and gestured toward the screen. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Tris said proudly. “Maybe you can convince grumpypants over there to accept the badges I’ve bestowed upon him.”
“Like...?” Kota asked.
“Tris,” Walker warned.
Tris’s laugh was downright diabolical. “The first was Employee of the Month. He refused, even though it came with a cash bonus. That was for taking out three targets in one month. Then there was Best Use of a Truck for Un-Truck-Like Purposes. Again, ignored. I even tried Best Long Haul Homicide Logistics. Still refused.”
Kota barked out a laugh. “That is absolutely something you should have accepted.”
Walker rolled his eyes. “I am not putting a murder trophy on my shelf.”
“You don’t even have a shelf,” Kota reminded him.
Walker gestured as if Kota was making his point. “Exactly.”
Tris pointed aggressively. “See? This is why we need an intervention.”
Kota giggled, looking over at Walker. The laughter died in his throat. Walker was already looking at him. Not at the app. Not at Tris. Not at Cade. Just him. Something hot unfurled low in Kota’s stomach.
A strong arm wrapped around his waist without warning, dragging him back to his side until their bodies were touching from shoulder to knee.
His breath caught. The large hand settled high on his thigh, possessive and comfortable, like it belonged there.
Kota shot him a startled look.“What are you doing?”
