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I didn’t hear Calla walk away, but she didn’t say anything else, either.
When I cameout of the room a few minutes later, Rile and Kensington were seated in the living room with Calla.
“Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you,” I said, walking over to the two of them. “Don’t get up,” I added when Rile started to. “I’m Spider,” I said to his wife, shaking her outstretched hand.
“It’s nice to see you,” said Rile when I shook his.
“I appreciate the invite very much.” I cleared my throat, not in the mood for more small talk. “I understand you wanted to speak with Casper and me.”
When I turned around, my jaw nearly dropped. Calla was dressed in a sleeveless blue gown covered in what looked like tiny crystals. The shade of blue matched her gorgeous eyes, and when she smiled at my reaction, it took my breath away. I bent down so my mouth was near her ear. “You look magnificent.”
I sat beside her on the sofa, close enough so our fingers brushed when we both rested our hands on the cushion.
“Sorry for my abruptness,” I said, clearing my throat.
Rile grinned. “Do you mind if we talk business for a short while, my darling?” he said, smiling at Kenzie.
“Would you like me to excuse myself?” she asked.
“Of course not, my dear.”
She looked at Calla, then me. “He warned me ahead of time. I’m not sure why he’s asking if I mind. Ever gallant, I suppose.” She returned her gaze to him.
Under normal circumstances, witnessing their exchange wouldn’t have fazed me. Now, though, I wondered if Calla would ever look at me the way Rile’s wife looked at him.
“Shall we get to it, then?” he asked.
“Go ahead,” Calla responded.
“As I told you when we last spoke, Fury Storm and Vex Dunning intend to offer you a partnership in the Invincibles’ new team.”
“I’ve yet to receive an offer or proposal from them.”
“I asked them to hold off,” said Rile.
I glanced at her in time to see Calla’s brow furrow.
“The reason I intervened is because the partners of the ‘first team’ had a meeting yesterday, during which we voted on extending our own offers. I have not come to you with one tonight, Casper. However, when you receive it before you leave Texas, you will also receive the other. I only ask you give serious consideration to both.”
She nodded but didn’t speak.
Rile turned to me. “I understand you are interested in working with the Invincibles.”
“I am, sir.”
“It is my understanding you will be receiving offers as well. I am certain you will from the Invincibles. I have been told you should also expect one from the Unstoppables.”
“TheUnstoppables?” blurted Calla.
Rile smiled like she was. “I assure you Fury and Vex are entirely responsible for the name choice. I didn’t suggest it, nor did I weigh in on it.”
“Yet it sounds exactly like something you’d come up with,” Calla teased.
He raised a brow. “As I was saying, Spider will be receiving offers from both entities. I’ll warn you now, no one is offered a partnership prior to working directly with us for a certain amount of time. We meet once a year to confer on the subject, at which time, we compile a short list.”
“Understood, and rest assured, I hoped for a contracting position, at best, sir.”
Rile looked over at Calla. “You may find yourself”—he cleared his throat—“courted this evening.”
