Page 183 of Axis of Fire

“Cute place,” I said with a smile, a little louder than intended. “Do all races happen in places like this?”

Ethan’s expression changed immediately.

The predator disappeared.

The performance returned.

And with it came the familiar smug grin.

“Only this one,” Ethan replied, tilting his head slightly as he looked me over.

He didn’t look embarrassed in the slightest.

“If you’re a good girl tonight, maybe I’ll show you a few more places like this.”

The implication made me instantly nauseous.

But I forced myself to smile.

Forced myself to keep walking.

Plastering a charming expression onto my face, I stepped closer to Ethan as though I wanted to be near him.

At the same time, I measured the distance between us.

Calculated the angle.

Decided exactly where I’d strike.

I was just about to give Airis and the others the signal when someone understood me without words.

A loud crack echoed across the parking lot.

Every headlight died at once.

Darkness swallowed everything.

It was Airis.

I knew it.

Even through the darkness, I caught Ethan’s expression.

Confusion.

Just for a second.

More than enough.

I drove my knee straight into his stomach.

The moment he doubled over, my fist crashed into his jaw.

And then all hell broke loose.

They were armed.

Thankfully, not with guns.