Page 223 of Savage Bosses

y body shook as I listened for the next question in the trivia tournament. The first couple of rounds were child's play. Most of the contestants were new fans. They didn't even know Dani Bond had a website, much less the hard questions about her social media and book plots.

Then the questions started truly weeding out the casual fans from the Martinis. Single-elimination rounds were brutal, but I also didn't want to compete the entire night with basic questions. I was ready for the hard stuff.

“This greeting in the Martini lounge—“

I hit my buzzer. However, my light indicating I was first and could answer didn't come on.Hiswas lit up.

Again.Dragon beat me to it.

“What's up, Martini Cups,” he answered.

“This Martini knows his cosplay and his Dani Bond trivia,” the MC said.

The crowd clapped. A few of the viewers chanted, “Go, Commander Murphy.”

He knew his trivia—the jerk. Every question I missed, he snatched up like a thief. I was in second place. The girl in third place gave up two rounds ago.

Not me. I wouldn’t let him go that easy. I secured my slot at the Masquerade ball, but I wasn’t about to just hand the glory to him. So for the past half hour, it was our show. No one had a chance to come from behind and take it from us unless we did some final question-betting nonsense. I wasn't about to risk my place at Dani Bond's table at the masquerade ball.

First place may not be in my grasp, but I would make Dragon fight to keep the lead. If he slipped, I could snatch the title from behind and dance around him. Maybe twirl him around as he did me at the cosplay meet-up. My body still reeled from the closeness. That hot body of his was something else.

Who knew what he looked like under the helmet, but that physique of his was something else. He had a flat stomach, tight arms, and an excellent package, judging by how he poked me during his impromptu dip. It took everything not to act the fool and create my own live-action fanfiction. He was no Benedict. I could live with that. Plus, cosplay sex sounded fun. My favorite character was getting it on with one of my alternate shipping pairs.

Oh yes.

“Are you alright, Jaelle?” the MC asked.

I waved the issue away. “I'm fine. Just getting battle ready.”

“Y'all hear that?” the MC asked. “The trash talk phase between these two superfans has begun as we enter the final round. Dragon has a score of 200, and Jaelle trails by a mere 20 points. It's still anybody's game. Who will be the Dani Bond expert?”

Dragon chuckled. “Don't get her hopes up. I'm going to own this, and the winner takes all.”

He raked an unmistakable look over me. The man wore a helmet, and I felt like he burnt my image to blu-ray. “I'll remember that when I walk you out of this room like my faithful pet.”

“Oh shit,” somebody hissed.

“I think this round promises to be epic.” The MC cleared his throat. “Last question for 21 points—“

I loosened my grip on the controller. I was a Martini through and through. There was no way I didn't have this. What would Victoria do?

“What is the meaning of Braeden's—“

I hit my controller button before my brain could catch up. There was not enough information for me to guess. What the hell was I doing?

“Your answer, Jaelle?”

“Her name means apple. In particular, a Braeburn apple and Colt, her husband's favorite meal. He is a unicorn, after all. It gives a whole new meaning to Just a Taste.” I was floundering. Hopefully, all that verbal dump would get me the correct answer.

“Everybody, Jaelle stole the victory from Dragon. He's her pet! You heard it here first. She's the expert and the warrior queen. And all the stans out there are about to get some serious fan service pics from first and second place. Get your phones ready.”

I wanted to smack myself upside the head. The cosplay took over my brain. At least I had a covering on today and I would tomorrow as well. No one had to know thatIwas about to lead one of my fave characters by his lanyard like some sexy dom.

Whew, child, I loved Martinicon.

I quirked my finger at Dragon. He didn’t move at first, just did that sexy stance thing where I imagined he took my measure with sexy blue eyes and eyebrow raised. I pointed my index finger down.

The audience gasped. One girl squealed.

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