Page 207 of Play Dirty

“Jesus,” he muttered.

I looked to Grayson — always to Grayson. His face was calm. Not even slightly surprised.

“Okay,” he said.

That was it.

I blinked.

“Okay?”

One corner of his mouth lifted.

“Yeah.”

“That’s your response?” Sebastian cut in. “She just—”

“I heard her,” Grayson said calmly. “Didn’t you?”

Ares let out a low laugh.

“I heard her just fine.”

I looked between them, my heartbeat picking up even more. There were no nerves, though. Now that I’d gotten it out, I felt something else entirely.

Something steady.

Something that felt like standing on solid ground.

“You’re not torn, are you?” Grayson asked, his voice even. “You’re telling us what you want.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

“Yes.”

He nodded once.

“Then say it again.”

I looked at all of them.

“I’m not choosing.”

Ares flashed a slow, dangerous smile.

“Good.”

A new warmth blossomed in my chest — even hotter than the room.

It was spreading fast.

“Because I’m not going anywhere,” Ares said like he was stating fact.

His glacial blue eyes shifted to Sebastian, as did mine.

“Yeah… same.”

I felt their presence around me. Not judging. Waiting. Giving me time to come up with the right words.