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“Lucky?” Maddening women! If she died… Antonio pinched his eyes shut at the thought. “There’snothinglucky about it.” He couldn’t comprehend how she could say something like that, sarcastic or not.
“Sure, whatever you say.” Her voice droned, as if she was tired of this conversation. “How about we discuss something more important? Like our third teammate. Do we have one?”
He gritted his teeth, holding back. Nothing was more important than them both making it out of this tournament alive. But he had to refrain from telling her the plan Casper cameup with earlier. If she didn’t know it yet, there was probably a reason.
“Our teammate?” He knew exactly who he wanted on their team, but he hadn’t approached that particular immortal yet. “I’m working on it.”
“You didn’t find someone yet?” There was a hint of panic in her voice, and that panic unnerved him.Hecould protect her better than any third team member could. Didn’t she have confidence in that?
Holding back his urge to tell her exactly that, he explained, “I doubt this competitor has been picked up by anyone yet.” He knew most immortals were unaware of what an asset this competitor would be toanyteam.
“So you’ve decided on someone no one wants.” Her voice tinged with disappointment.
“Can you trust me?” She should have more faith in him and the decisions he was making. How many times did he have to tell her he wouldn’t hurt her for her to believe it?
“Trust you? No.”
He clenched his teeth again, holding it together becoming increasingly more difficult as their conversation continued on. “You havenoreason to not trust me. I’ve given you none.” He stabbed his fingers through his hair, pissed that he was still looking at her backside. “Can you at leastlookat me while we’re talking?” He pushed himself up to a stand and waited for her to look his way.
She didn’t.
“Well you’ve certainly shown me your mate shouldn’t trust you, considering what you and I just did together. If yourmatecan’t trust you, wellshit, I certainly can’t.”
He didn’t want to be reminded about the sins he just committed with Sophia.But she’s my mate too,he thought in a desperate attempt to excuse his actions.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” She started forward without risking a single look back at him.Maddening!“Anyway, it’s probably best that we get some sleep. Your tent, yes? I’m assuming so. But considering I have no choice in the matter, I decided it’s best that I ask you first.” Her voice was void of emotion again, continuing to treat their situation like a business transaction and nothing more.
“There’s something we have to do first.” He began following behind her.
“And what’s that?” She picked up her pace.
“Damn you, woman!” He snapped, lashing out. “I willnotbe talking to your backside any longer!” In one quick move he reached for her, tugging her arm with enough force that it sent her body spinning around, forcing her to face him.
What he saw broke him.
She raised her chin in an effort to maintain her pride. She seemed desperate to appear fierce. He saw right through it. She was breaking. Her eyes shimmered, tears welling the corner of her eyes, wetness imprinting her cheeks. “Sophia…”Twist.He didn’t think his heart could handle much more. “I think we should-”
“Where are we going?” She cut him off, crossing her arms over her chest as she tapped an impatient foot against the grass.
“I think we should talk about this.”
I don’t want you to hurt because of me,he thought.
In a huff she said, “If you’re not going to tell me where we’re going, I’m going back to the tent.” Then she turned on her heel and began marching back to the campgrounds.
He hissed a curse as he followed behind her, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. She wasn’t going to talk about what happened, and he supposed he shouldn’t blame her. He was stupid to have behaved in such a way with her. The fey didn’t even kiss a man before him. Heknewshe was attracted to him.Yet he continued to toy with her mind, selfishly keeping her around because he couldn’t bear the thought of being without her.
He didn’t even know her age, but if he was the first man she kissed, she had to be young. Too young to have to deal with the shit he was putting her through.
Too young to die.The thought struck fear in his heart.Damn her for signing up for this tournament!
Assured that he’d continue doing everything in his power to keep her alive, he marched forward, closing the gap between them. “No, you’re coming with me. We’re going to recruit our third.Together.” He’d refrain from trying to talk about what happened between them. She wasn’t having it, and truthfully, he wouldn’t know what to say. There was nothing he could say to make her feel better.
“Who do you have in mind?” She continued looking ahead, her voice sounding as dull and emotionless as before. But now he knew better. She was trying her hardest to hide what she was truly feeling from him, as if she was ashamed.
He hated that she felt any sort of shame around him, hating himself for giving her a reason to feel this way. “Sophia, I’m sorry you feel this way…”
