Page 100 of Nemesis

Then Saint, who’s in the process of eating his words.

Fucker.

28ARTEMIS

Kade emerges.Reese’s back is to him, so maybe he doesn’t recognize him just yet.

My heart is in my damn throat waiting for Reese to turn around. Waiting for recognition to dawn.

It doesn’t.

They step up beside each other, and while Kade watches Apollo, Reese stares down his former friend. Seeing the two beside each other is kind of nuts. They’re both tall and broad-shouldered, but Reese has a more tapered waist. He’s an inch or two shorter than Kade, too. Not much, but enough that it could cost him the difference. Where Kade is tanned skin and dark hair, and his facial features more sharp, Reese’s dirty-blond hair makes his pale skin seem almost translucent. His square jaw and gleaming, sea-glass-green eyes scour his opponent.

It’s kind of clear, at least from here, that Kade is not aware of Reese’s identity. Reese knows, though. He stares across the platform, his lips pressed in a flat line. He’sactingindifferent, but he knows.

He can’t not know.

Apollo waves them on and hops down, and Kade’s stoicism drops away. The two circle, and I grip the railing hard.

Kade is fast. I know that from watching him fight Saint. But I don’t think he expects Reese, who immediately attacks. He gets in two punches before Kade can even move a step, and then Reese dances away.

Kade grimaces and wipes blood from his lip.

It seems like his mind is clicking into place and lands on:challenge accepted.

They could kill each other.

I instinctively grab Saint’s hand.

The two trade blows, but Reese is clearly the faster of the two. And Kade is stronger.

“I can’t watch this.” I use my other hand to block my eyes. I just go off the sounds of the crowds, wincing with each yell and jeer.

“Reese just took one on the mouth,” Saint narrates. “Glancing blow, it won’t damage his teeth.”

“Shut up.”

“Kade just tried to kick him. Like the roundhouse kick that guy did in the first fight, which is a little cheap if you ask me. But Reese grabbed his foot—” Saint laughs. “Damn, I think he dislocated Kade’s knee. He’s down. He’s staring at Reese. Oh, shit.”

I peek.

Kade is staring up at Reese—who’s bleeding from his nose—with a mixture of fury and hope. He hops up and continues to stare, and then just fucking stands there as Reese punches him in the face.

Lights out.

Certain hits will do that, and it’s not surprising that Reese nails it. Kade’s expression flickers, and I squeeze Saint’s hand as the man tumbles to the platform. Unconscious.

With Reese as the winner.

“What do you think this asshole is going to ask for?” Saint shakes loose my hand and leans one elbow on the railing to face me. “A date with you?”

“I highly doubt it.”

He shrugs. “Did you tell him about the favors?”

“No.” I squint. “Did you?”

“Nope.”

---