Page 70 of Into the Fire

We taught the group the dance, and it was looking amazing by the end of practice. When we were done, I was drenched in sweat and desperate for a shower.

“You were awesome today,” Anson said as we gathered our gear after practice. “This is going to work, and no one will fail. I mean, as long as Wagner doesn’t trip. He seems to struggle with coordination.”

I laughed. “Yeah, he does, but he’s so nice.”

“I’m nice.”

I looked at him. “I’m aware.”

He raised his brows at me. “And?”

“And? And what? I love that you’re nice. I didn’t think you were in the beginning. I thought you were a creep.”

He let out a loud, booming laugh. “I bet. I definitely gave off those vibes. Guess I didn’t know what sort of man I needed to be around you.”

“So, you thought creepy guy was a good idea?” I shook my head at him.

He approached me, his blue eyes alight with humor. It was a good look on him. I hadn’t seen him smile in what felt like forever.

He stopped when he reached me, his body nearly touching mine.

“I knew who the horsemen were,” he answered. “I was just trying to find the information I needed. Most girls fall at my feet when I turn on that charm.”

“It wasn’t charm, Ani. It was creepy and. . . dickish.”

He smirked down at me. “Sue me. I was a dick.”

I nibbled my bottom lip for a moment as I stared up at him. “What did you plan on doing with me? Taking me and hoping they’d come running to answer your questions?”

“Maybe.” He smiled. “I mean, I did end up doing something like that in the end, right?”

I scoffed. “Yeah, I guess you did.” The thought that maybe I didn’t know him sprang into my mind. I hated that thought because Ani was. . . Ani. He was my sweet best friend. Not any of the other things I knew he could be.

“I’m not that guy. The one you met at Black Falls. I’m this guy. Right here. I’m Ani. You get to see the real me, LeeLee, so don’t run off thinking you can’t figure me out or don’t know whoI truly am.” He tapped my forehead like he’d just been inside my head. “I know you better than you know yourself.”

“I believe that,” I murmured, the air shifting around us.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low. “Something is bothering you.”

I sighed and sat on the bench. He moved my bag and sat next to me.

“Bianca is missing. She’s the kings’ girl. Dominic De Santis’s wife. Enzo and the guys met with the kings over a week ago. The night you stayed and watched the movie with me.” I glanced at him to see his brows crinkled.

“They haven’t found her. Enzo told me he’s really worried that it could be something even worse than kidnapping. That she could be. . . dead.” The last word came out in a choked whisper. “It terrifies me to think that someone who belongs to the kings can get taken like that. That someone would be brave enough to do that considering who they are. I’ve done my research on them. They’re. . . well, Dominic is your brother, right?”

Anson didn’t say anything as he sat there, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.

“Ani?”

“That will never happen to you, LeeLee. I’ll die for you before I let someone take you away. You know that right?” He looked at me, the fierceness of his words sending a shiver through my body.

“Ani, I wouldn’t want you to die for me. I wouldn’t want that of anyone.”

“If it’s ever you or me, I’ll take the hit,” he said softly. “I will always take the hit.”

I swallowed hard at his words, my heart in my throat. I didn’t know what to say, but maybe I didn’t need to say anything. My heart ached at his words because I knew what they meant. He would do anything for me.

We were both quiet for a moment.

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