Page 94 of Devious Gambit

“True again.”

“And you like naked bodies.”

“I like your naked body. Confession time again.”

“Another?”

“This is a big one. Are you ready for it?”

“Okay. Hit me.”

“I’m not sure what I want to do with my life. Your turn.”

“I don’t know what I want to do with my life either. I know what I like and don’t like so I figured I’d mold a life and career from that.”

“Huh, you’re real smart, Rhys.”

“Thanks.”

“No one has a say in your career?”

“Only Dean Fontaine since the Fontaine legacy is paying for my schooling. No one really cares.”

That’s the thing with Rhys, she was alone in this world. That’s why she got under my skin from the start because I felt sorry for her. However, the more time I spent with her, the more I liked her. She was a hidden gem with a dynamite unique personality.

“Did you spend Christmas day alone?” I asked her.

“Just the morning, then went to Kilbernie Dining Hall and had roast turkey. One of my classmates was there so I sat with her.”

I just felt so bad for her. No one should spend Christmas day alone.

“Rhys-” I was about to ask her out to dinner when I got back to KV, when a knocking sound interrupted. Moments ago, I was looking at a black hole where time stood still. Now I was thinking about diving in Maui, and Rhys back in KVU. I was thinking about tomorrow and the next day.

“-Hang on, someone’s at my door,” she stated. “Oh, it’s Tris and Lise. I have to go.”

“Rhys.”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

“What for?”

I hesitated. For making me laugh. For answering my call. “For turning up at the right time.”

THIRTY SEVEN

Jace

I wasn’t really sure what my future held.

However, I knew A. I didn’t want to work at Luxon and B. Wherever I go I wanted Rhys by my side. Those two things were enough to get life moving in a direction and who knew where I’d end up. After all, isn’t life for living.

I’d never turn down a difficult challenge and Rhys was definitely that. The best course of action was to wear her down until she was putty in my hands by proving my worth to her. A girl who answered the call of someone she said she hated, probably didn’t hate too much.

I just arrived back at the Vault after a 7 hour drive, a longer haul due to the snow and tossed my bags onto my bed, feeling a strange sense of a new lease on life.

“Sup,” the big blond dude greeted me, munching on an apple.