Page 35 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

Ro threw his ax and got it right in the middle. His entire team cheered him on, slapping him on the shoulder excitedly and chanting his name. You’ve got to be freaking kidding me! I hate losing.

“You’re good at this game,” Ro tilted his chin up.

Was it appropriate to throw a dull ax at him? I wasn’t one for murder, but in this case, I think Papi would side with me.

Tallulah came up to me. “Don’t let him get to you. We’re all rooting for you! Take a step forward and get a little closer.”

I looked ahead at the large wooden board lined with Christmas lights. There were dents all over it, but not from me. “Okay. I got this!” I hyped myself up.

I stepped forward, as did Ro. We were parallel to one another.

“Are you going to tell me why you hate me so much?” Romeo turned to me.

I whipped my gorgeous hair to stare straight into the eyes, then whipped my hair back to look forward. “You were there. If you don’t know, then I can’t help you.” My heart pulsed quicker.

I grabbed the next ax, as did he. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his blue eyes gnawing at me as he held onto the handle of his ax, bicep protruding. He had this cocky grin I wanted to slice off.

I yelled as I threw the ax that pitifully fell onto the ground after ricocheting off the board.

Again, Ro threw his and didn’t miss, and his teammates cheered him on. The girls encouraged me, and it started to feel like a boxing match. Ro and I were at opposite ends, our coaches giving us water, telling us where to hit next. An imaginary bell in my head dinged. I was up again.

“Let me help you,” Ro said.

No matter how manly or broody he looked throwing the ax, like some medieval knight in costume, I refused to allow him anywhere near me.

“No freaking way!” I yelled.

“You’re gripping that handle far too hard,” he said through clenched teeth. “Ease up on it when you throw.”

“I didn’t ask for your help, Ro!” Whether everyone listened in on this ridiculous tiff between us, I didn’t care. I couldn’t stand Romeo Scott. Determination was my second middle name.

“Seriously, Ivy Jade. What did I do?” he said, exasperated.

I stepped forward, easing my grip on the handle, and threw my third ax. That time, it stuck to the board. Not the middle, but it still stuck nonetheless.

The girls cheered for me, as did the guys. This was kind of fun. I took a sip of whatever colorful drink the server dropped off for me at the table and grabbed my last and final ax to throw.

This time, Ro walked over to me, and he leaned in really close. “Whatever I did, just tell me. I don’t like having this big elephant in the room between us,” he whispered sternly and slowly, brows still furrowed.

I stared up at him. He genuinely didn’t know? The heat his body sent my way caught me off guard, squeezing the oxygen between us.

“You should know,” I whispered back.

“I don’t, Ivy Jade,” he said delicately.

“That’s not my problem.”

“If I can help you hit right in the middle of your board, will you tell me?”

“I doubt I could,” I snapped back.

He was so close to me, I could smell his cologne. Rich in citrus and smoky oak. It was disgustingly delightful.

“If you could, would you give me that chance?” he pleaded.

My eyes landed right on his, and I bit my lip to soothe whatever anxiety spilled over. I’d never been this close to Romeo before. He barely had any stubble, his jawline smooth-looking. The man had high cheekbones and a cute nose. I didn’t think anyone could have as cute a nose as mine, but he did. His long, dark, feathery hair was swept back. I watched his Adam’s apple bob with a swallow.

What was the worst that could happen?