Page 135 of Body and Soul

“If you change your mind and want to do martial arts, you can call me anytime,” Xander called from the edge of the room.

“Or,” said Warrick, “you could learn guns with Xavier.”

I glanced over at Xavier, who was cleaning his fingernails with a wicked-looking switchblade. He met my gaze and smirked, the gesture somehow both inviting and threatening.

“I think I'll stick with the knives for now,” I said, turning back to Warrick. “But thanks for the offer.”

Warrick nodded, his expression unreadable. “Suit yourself. But you should know how to handle a gun too and have some basic martial arts training. It's a necessary skill in our line of work.”

Our line of work. The words sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder of the dangerous path I'd chosen. But it was too late to turn back now. I'd made my decision the moment I'd decided I was all-in with Shepherd and Keres.

“I'll learn,” I said, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. “Whatever it takes.”

Warrick shrugged and grunted in response.

His fiancée, Paxton, swept in, putting a big meaty arm around War’s more delicate neck, practically choking him as he yanked him close for a kiss. “Aw, don’t be like that, baby. The kid’s family now.”

War’s face flushed bright cherry red. “Take five, kid. Get some water.”

“Water?” Xander snickered and pushed off the wall. “He already looks half drowned.”

Xander sauntered over, a mischievous glint in his eye. He wore tight black leather pants paired with a flowy, shimmering purple top that draped off one shoulder. A chunky silver necklace glinted at his throat, matching the stack of bangles adorning his wrists.

“Come on, killer,” Xander teased, linking his arm through mine. “Let's go cool off.”

I let him drag me outside, the frigid January air a shock to my overheated skin. The snow crunched beneath our boots as wetrekked a little ways from the warehouse, our breath puffing out in white clouds.

Xander released my arm and spun around, his arms spread wide as he tilted his face up to the grey sky before flopping backwards into a snowbank, his purple top stark against the white. He waved his arms and legs, creating a snow angel.

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. But Xander's enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself laying down next to him, the snow cold and wet against my back as I swept my own limbs through the powder.

We laid there for a moment, staring up at the sky, snowflakes drifting down to melt against our flushed cheeks. It was peaceful, the sounds of the city muffled by the snow.

“You know, you’re not how I thought you’d be,” he said.

I frowned and looked over at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I always thought Shepherd would go for a more bookish type. You know, more a nerd. You’re actually kinda cool.”

“Thanks, I guess?” I didn’t mean for it to come out as a question.

A snowball suddenly exploded against the side of Xander's head in a puff of white powder.

Xander yelped and shot upright, shaking snow from his hair. “What the fuck?”

Xavier stood a few feet away, tossing another snowball up and down in his gloved hand, a wicked grin on his face. “You two looked far too serious. Thought you could use some lightening up.”

Xander narrowed his eyes. “Oh, it's on now, bro.” He scooped up a handful of snow, packing it quickly, and launched it at Xavier.

Xavier dodged easily, laughing. “You sure you don’t need glasses? You missed me by a mile.” He threw his own snowball, catching Xander square in the chest.

Xander spluttered indignantly, brushing snow off his top. “This is designer, you heathen!”

“All's fair in love and war, Dee,” Xavier singsonged, already scooping up more ammunition.

“I’m gonna make you eat those words,” Xander promised, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he gathered up an armful of snow. He packed it quickly into a tight ball and sent it hurtling towards Xavier with impressive accuracy.

The snowball caught Xavier in the shoulder with a satisfying thwack, sending up a spray of icy powder. Xavier let out a surprised yelp, his jaw dropping in mock outrage. “Oh, you are so dead!”

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