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The most dangerous predators hide in plain sight.
If I were alone, I’d be petrified motionless. But I trust Holden—more than anyone else in the world. If anyone is going to get me out of a volatile situation, it’s him.
You weren’t involved. That’s why it’s different.
That’s what he told me earlier.
I’m not sure that applies in a situation like this. This isn’t a rusty ladder. Would he fight these guys? Would he win? The rumor in high school was he never lost a match.
“Next week, against Lincoln. What are the odds?”
“I don’t know,” Holden responds. “Ask a bookie.”
“Again, I’m asking you.”
“Any Richmond player—including me—would tell you we’ll win. If you ask guys at Lincoln, they’d say the opposite.”
The guy who clearly is the ringleader shakes his head. “Not helpful.”
“That’s all I have for you.”
“Come on, give me something.”
I glance at Holden, panicked. His expression is blank, purposefully so. Completely clean of emotion.
It feels like a rubber band is constricting around my chest. Blood pounds, sending adrenaline rushing through my system.
“Don’t you want to impress your date? If you give me any good intel, I’ll even make sure you get a cut of the profits.”
The front guy—the ringleader—takes another step forward.
“What the fuck are you going to do, Nelson?” Holden snaps. Any ease is gone from his voice and posture. He looks like a coiled predator about to strike. He looksdangerous. And a lot more intimidating than the three guys facing us.
I’ve never seen him fight. Never wanted to. But the adrenaline in my bloodstream is a thrill I wasn’t expecting. Random facts I remember from my animal behavior class last year run through my head.
Holden is very much giving off alpha vibes.
The guy hesitates, like he’s realizing the same.
“Walk away,” Holden advises. “If you want to know what bet to make next week, go check my stats.”
Nelson hesitates, then nods. “Let’s go, guys.”
I exhale a sigh of relief as they retreat, headed back in the same direction they came from.
Holden’s hand lands on my lower back on top of his jacket, which I’m still wearing. He guides me along the rest of the dirt path and onto the sidewalk, both of our steps faster than they were on the way to the water tower.
“Are you okay?” he asks me quietly.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah…just…” I exhale a laugh. “Uh, wow. That was crazy. Who was that?”
“Jimmy Nelson.”
I shake my head. “Never heard of him.”
