Page 59 of Attraction

“Alright then, I guess I’ll go first but you know my vote,” Digby says, glancing up and catching Kat’s gaze. “Yes!”

Zak sniffs loudly. Oz goes next. “Yeah sure… hell I’m more than happy to have her on this team—yes from me!”

“Okay QT, you’re up.”

“I- I … I like her. S-so I -I–”

“Oh, get the hell on with it. QT, it’s yes or no—straight answer,” Zak groans, frustrated.

“Yes! I-I w-w-will.”

“Okay we get it.” He growls, angrily subduing QT into silence—QT’s rank is the lowest on the team, and although he’s one of the most highly skilled—and intelligent—he also accepts his place in the pack.

Bud coughs, it’s his turn and he takes a breath, nervous and conscious of Zak watching him. He looks up, turning his head to look at Kat sipping water, filling her stomach, trying to stave off her hunger. “Uh, well … hell yeah! If uh … that means we’ll be back operational. I’m done with sittin’ around doin’ nothing all day, so, uh… that’s a yes from me.”

“Alright…” Digby smiles. “Zak looks like you’ve got the castin’ vote. So, what’s it to be? Are you gonna let me down here?”

“Let you down?” He frowns. “Digby, when have Ieverlet you down?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant—”

“Yeah, I know what you meant. But whatever I do… it’s because I care about you—putyoufirst. That’s my place, my reason for bein’. Since we were kids, you know that.” He looks around, taking a breath, keeping his cool as he stares at Kat. She glances back at him. “You know, I can’t deny, she’s a good lookin’ woman and I’ll bet she’s great in the sack.”

“What the hell? Zak, why would you even say that?” Digby frowns. “What the hell’s goin’ on with you? I’m not askin’ if you wanna sleep with her. Do you want her on the team or not?”

“Look, are you sure she’s up to this? I mean, you don’t haveanydoubts? ‘Cos if you do… then you need to tell us. There’s nothing about her that you think we should know?”

“No! What I mean is, no, I don’t have any doubts. I know she can do this and she’s perfect for this team.”

“See, it’s when you say shit like that, I…goddammit.”Zak wipes his hand across his face. “I gotta be honest with you man, I’m torn. You, you’re different with her around and I don’t know what the hell’s makin’ you that way, but whatever it is, it worries me. I’m not sure it’s such a good thing. But…” He sighs, the weight of the decision heavy on his mind. “But as always, I’ve got your six. So, if you’re tellin’ me she deserves a place, and it’s what you want—and not just cos you’re screwin’ her?”

“Zak, c’mon man, you know me better than that. If she wasn’t right, then no matter how hot she is in the bedroom—and trust me, she isfuckin hot,” he says, grinning. “— if I didn’t think she could cut it, then I’d say so.” He and Zak stare at each other, nodding knowingly. “I wouldneverrisk this team—or my brothers.I wouldn’t, you know that.”

“Alright then… then I’ll take your word and it’s ayesfrom me too!”

Digby breathes out a huge sigh of relief, a smile breaking across his face. “Thanks, man. She won’t let you down.”

“She’d better not, ’cause just so you know, if she does, then that’d be like you lettin’ me down.”

“Yeah, I know.” Digby smiles, thanking Zak for giving him his trust, knowing he wouldn’t ever let him down. Then he takes another deep breath and pulling the seven-inchKA-BARblade from its sheath around his leg, he carefully studies it.

Now it’s down to her. How much she wants this. Whether after everythin’ she’ll trust Dee.

“Hell, you think she’s gonna let him do it?” asks Zak.

“You know Zak, I have no idea.” Again, he looks at the knife, turning it over in his palm. He swallows nervously as he and Darius exchange looks. Finally, Digby hands him the sharp blade. “Alright then… Team’s unanimous. So, do it!”

Chapter 17

Kat stands up from her seat by the fire. “So, did they all agree?”

“Yeah.” Digby nods, smiling. “Yeah, they agreed.”

“Oh, my God!” She hardly dares breathe and her expression changes from exhausted tiredness to relived excitement. She almost wants to faint at the delighted elation, though that may be partly hunger. “I made it…. I made the team. Oh, my God! I feel sick.Shit!Ireallydid it?”

Despite all her aches and pains, she can’t help but grab Digby. She wraps her arms around his neck. So badly she wants to kiss him, kiss all of them—but she doesn’t. She can’t contain how happy she feels.

Then something changes.

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