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“No, just work hard, work hard,” I say. “Well, up until recently anyway. We’ve actually stepped off the gas a little, and handed over the management of Twisted Bullet to Gray, and are getting a performance together for a dance competition we’re holding at the club next week.”
“I see,” she replies, her eyes still searching mine.
“We’d love you and the guys to come, by the way.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. That’s another reason why we’re here. Connall is going to bring Faith over in a few days. She’ll be so happy to see Iris, so it’s a win-win…”
“What?” I ask, feeling a little unnerved by her intense gaze.
Her eyes drop from my face to my body and back up again, and I can’t help feeling a little bit like some kind of specimen under a microscope.
"Pen, I think maybe–"
“Sorry, Pen, I got chatting and I–” Christy stops in the doorway, then lets out a squeal of delight. “Cynthia! You’re here, what the hell?” she says, before wrapping her arms around her best friend and squeezing her tight.
“Of course I’m here,” she says, eying me with concern. “Arden’s fighting tonight and I wasn’t about to let him get all busted up without me here to fix him up afterwards.”
“He’sthe one fighting?” Christy exclaims, her mouth popping open in shock. “I didnotsee that coming.”
“Then I guess you didn’t see who he’s fighting against either?” Cyn replies, pulling a face. “I thought maybe he would’ve told you by now.”
“Who would’ve told me what?”
Cynthia bites on her lip. “Shit.”
“Wait… What do you mean?” Christy asks carefully.
“Jakub is Arden’s opponent in the cage.”
“No way!” I exclaim, my headache and nausea momentarily forgotten. “I thought they were friends. What are they doing going head-to-head?”
“I’m going to kill him!” Christy seethes.
Cynthia gives her a sympathetic look. “Believe me, I had plenty to say to Arden over this, but you know how they get. Jakub challenged him and he’s not one for backing down in a fight. They’re both stubborn to a fault, and way too prideful for their own good.”
“But that was over six months ago and they were both drunk! I thought they’d forgotten all about it. I certainly did.”
“Apparently not,” Cynthia replies, glancing at me, her eyes flicking with concern when I swallow down another wave of nausea.
Feeling my cheeks flush as a sudden wave of dizziness comes over me, I pretend to adjust my hair in the mirror. At this point I’m not sure if it’s the headache that is making me feel sick, or if I really do have the flu. Either way, it’s not fun.
“Do you have those headache pills?” I ask, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“Oh shit, yes. Here you go, Pen,” she says, handing them to me alongside a bottle of water.
“Thanks,” I mumble, throwing a couple back whilst Christy continues with her tirade.
“You know I think I’m losing my touch,” she cries, throwing her hands up in the air. “What good is it having agift, if it doesn’t work when you need it to?”
“Must be frustrating,” I say, trying to appease her rising temper. The Masks might be fierce, but I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Christy, she’s got way too much Grim in her not to be just as formidable. Hell, she tamed men no one thought could be tamed. It takes an exceedingly strong woman to do that.
“Wait a minute, why didn’tyousay anything?” Christy asks, turning her ire on Cynthia.
She winces. “I only found out myself yesterday, and when I spoke to Grim she asked me not to tell you, not because she wanted to hide it from you but because she knew as well as I that neither of us would be able to stop them. Youknowwhat they’re like. At least being here I can make sure they get the best care after they finish pulverising each other like two foolish school children.”
“Whatever happened to sisterhood?” Christy bites out. “Grim should’ve told me.”
“Grim probably figured the same thing as Cynthia. Better let them fight it out here than some other dinghy club, right? Besides, if something really bad was going to happen, I’m sure you’d have seen it,” I offer, regretting my words the second they leave my mouth.
