Page 49 of Siren's Game

"Just want to get this circus over with," he grumbles but slows his steps until we reach our security team, waiting right by the exit.

"Thank you," I quip and now finally walk closer to him. He lifts his arm and I slip under it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. And even though I don’t enjoy being touched usually, right now, I’m not going to question this. I’ll do that later, when I’m tossing and turning in bed, wishing Asher to hell. "Now, act a bit embarrassed." I’m sure he’ll have no problem doing that.

As soon as the door out of the parking garage opens, we are blinded by camera flashes and deafened by people shouting our names and how they want us to pose, even though we’re walking. God, the entitlement.

I bite my lip and look down to the ground with a small smile, trusting Asher to navigate me through the crowd and our security team to keep them far enough away from us so we can walk.

From the corner of my eyes, I see that he shields his eyes with his other hand as he walks, dodging the bold photographers that jump in front of our feet before our security team pulls them out of our way.

"You know where we have to go, right?" I ask him under my breath.

"I have a rough idea," he grits out through his smile, turning his head to talk close to my ear so I can hear him over the paparazzi shouting at us.

He makes a sharp right turn, pulls me through a swinging door, and thank fucking God, security that I hadn't even noticed is keeping the photographers out of here.

God, blissful silence.

"Alright. So, what exactly are we supposed to do here?" I ask quietly when I'm sure no one's listening, stepping out from under his arm.

"According to Van, enjoy ourselves and show everyone how in love we are,” he says, not sounding too enthusiastic about it.

"Great." I gulp and sigh. "Please tell me we have one of those VIP box thingies, though?"

"We do," he assures me and rolls his shoulders, cocking his head from left to right. "Van wasn't too keen on hiring fifty security guys just so we could be in the stands."

"What a shame," I say, voice dripping with sarcasm as I trail after him. He finds an elevator, and once inside, I finally start to relax. The worst should be behind us now. At least I hope so.

When we finally arrive at the empty VIP box, I sigh, relieved.

"Are we in here alone?" Oh God, I hope we are. I’m too exhausted to be good company, especially to strangers.

"Huh?" Asher asks, already checking out the drink menu and food that's set up along one of the walls. God, it smells amazing in here. I can't wait until it's socially acceptable to dig in. "No, the Walker brothers have dibs on this one, but they let us join for today."

Just as the last word leaves his mouth, the door flies open and a group of very similar looking men walks inside, stopping in their tracks when they see us. Then their faces light up.

"Ayyy, the couple of the year," one of the younger-looking ones exclaims and walks up to me, extending his hand. "I'm Reed."

"Kayla," I answer, confused, shaking his hand.

"Oh, we know who you are, we just figured you meet too many people to remember everyone," Reed says with a chuckle and makes space for who I assume are his brothers to introduce themselves.

I remember them. They hang out with Asher and Luca quite a lot during their training. I'm pretty sure I've seen them together a lot.

Not that I'm looking at them exercise often. No way. Not me.

"I'm Adam, the oldest." The next guy steps up to me and holy sex on a stick.

I knew he’s good looking. I’ve seen him in magazines and on the field, albeit from afar. But up close? I fight the urge to fan myself.

His dark hair is starting to pepper in his temples and laugh wrinkles are joined by age-wrinkles, but goddamn, it suits him well. He’s one of those men that age like fine wine. Or cheese. God, I would love some cheese right now.

"I love that you guys introduce each other with your succession," I say with a giggle, making the guys laugh. The other two introduce themselves as well, but they look so damn similar, even though they assure me they're not twins, that I already know it's going to be hard to keep them apart.

All of them greet Asher with a clap on his shoulder before they immediately storm over to the food and pull the chafing dishes where they keep the food warm open, making the heavenly smell in this VIP box intensify.

"I like them already," I admit to Asher as we watch them build towers on their plates, my hands itching to do the same. "Thank God I don't need to wait half an hour out of courtesy until I can start to eat."

He chuckles and shakes his head at me. "Courtesy? You? Didn't think you had that word in your vocabulary."

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