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The letter burst into flames once I read the last word. I let it go, and exactly like the previous time, all that remained was a tiny wisp of ash. A sense of relief filled me. Having a better form of communication would help. We’d still have to be careful. I didn’t want to think of what would happen if some staff member intercepted the parrot. Until Zoe sent another letter, I had to play the game—stay alive, and keep all the others alive.
No big deal. Super easy.
Chapter6
Wyatt
Sunlight streamed through the window beside the fireplace. The shimmering rays on my eyelids woke me up. Squinting at the sudden light, I rubbed a hand over my face. The stubble made a rasping sound beneath my palm, and I rolled over to look at the bed. Chelsey lay strewn across the middle, arms out wide, mouth slightly agape, still deeply asleep.
The thin cashmere throw blanket I’d slept under had slipped off me sometime during the night and lay pooled on the floor. The fireplace was still warm, and I was a little too hot from sleeping fully clothed. I stood and looked out the window. The sun had barely crested the horizon. If I hurried, I might get out of here before Von showed up.
After putting my shoes on, I double-checked that Chelsey was still asleep before creeping toward the door. The knob spun soundlessly under my hand, and I left the room as quietly as possible. I eased the door closed with the slightestclick, turned, and—
“Good morning, handsome. Did you have a wonderful night of debauchery?”
I jerked in surprise and whirled around to find Von Thornton and two hovering cameras behind me. “Holy shit.”
“Not so far,” Von said with a thoughtful tilt of his head. “A wiccan priestess tried holy water on me in 1833, but holy shit? Can’t say I’ve ever seen that before. Enough about me, though. How were the festivities last night?” He gestured toward the cameras. “Our fans are drooling over it. There are even some bets on which positions you two used to get things started.”
“Can we do this later, Von? I’m still trying to wake up.”
Von made an exaggerated frown and shook his head. “I’m afraid not. We need to get this interview out of the way now. What if you’re horribly mutilated or killed in the arena match this afternoon? I can’t interview a corpse, can I? No offense, obviously.”
“Obviously,” I grunted.
“Anyway,” Von went on, “we’re getting deep into the season, and we really need to heighten the tension. What better way than to talk about the debauchery of last night? When the viewers know how much fun you and Chelsey had together—or Kira and J.D.—they’ll be even more emotionally involved during the next challenge.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” I said, rubbing my forehead. As I did, I saw my wristband wasn’t glowing green. “Are the cameras not on yet?”
“Not yet. Are you ready to begin?”
I let out a relieved breath and pushed past him. “Not a chance in hell.”
I stifled a groan as Von hurried after me and stepped in next to me, easily keeping up with my pace. “Wyatt, you know this is a requirement. We must know how things went last night. Surely you understand that?” Von threw his arm out in front of me, forcing me to stop. When I glared at him, a vicious smile tugged at his lips. He raised an eyebrow. “Unless… something happened that caused you not to enjoy your night? A little performance anxiety, perhaps?”
“Von—”
“You know, it’s not the first time things like this have happened on the show. Five seasons ago, a young alpha named Brock couldn’t, for the life of him, get his little soldier to attention. Had to send a witch in with a potion tospeed things up, if you know what I mean. Shifters are known for their drive and virility, but things happen.”
“I’m done here,” I said, slapping his arm away.
“Or maybe you were thinking of another gorgeous young lady?” Von called.
My steps faltered, and I almost tripped over my own feet. “What?” I asked, looking back at him over my shoulder.
Von’s smile grew more predatory as his gaze slid down my body. I suddenly realized how I looked—wrinkled and disheveled. You’d have to be stupid not to know I’d slept in my clothing.
Von narrowed his eyes. “It looks like you slept a little too well, Mr. Rivers. Not at all like someone who spent four or five hours writhing in passion. How could someone spend an entire night in a bedroom with someone as beautiful as Chelsey and not look exhausted, I wonder?”
My heart hammered. Von was suspicious. Wehadto keep up the act. If Von thought Kira and I were faking, then he’d be compelled to release the information he had. I had to do whatever I could to keep the facade going.
Turning on the charm, I smiled and gave a condescending shake of my head. “Von, I think you remember from my interview with Callista back in Fangmore City that I’m a gentleman. And a gentleman never tells. I didn’t tell that woman what happened between Kira and me in the chamber, and I’m not going to tell you what happened with Chelsey and me.” I walked closer to him. “As for mylittle soldier,as you put it? He’s very tired. Chelsey and I had a fantastic night. We did finish up early, though, hence my well-rested appearance.” I gestured to my clothes. “And if you’re wondering why I look like a slob, it’s because all this got tossed aside when the party started. Simple as that. And the answer is still no. I’m not going to tell all the voyeurs in your audience what happened. You’ll have to get over that, okay? That’s final.”
“Hmmm.” The suspicion in his eyes faded, replaced with disappointment. “Well, I suppose I can’t force you. A shame, but I understand. If there’s one thing we atThe Reject Projectunderstand, it’s the desire for privacy.”
The fuck you do.
“I only hope the others are a bit more forthcoming,” Von went on. “At least I’m sure to get some juicy details from J.D. That young man is like an open book. I’ll probably have to slow him down on the play-by-play.”
