Page 99 of Nemesis

“Fighter, you lose by forfeit. Exiting the platform is immediate disqualification.”

The crowd boos.

It was an intense fight, and I think the other literally roundhouse kicked him in the chest. That’s hard to absorb without going flying.

“Do you think Reese found Kade back there?”

I glance at Saint. “You care?”

“I’m curious. I didn’t meet Kade, except for those brief moments. But I didn’t like him.”

“You don’t like anyone.”

He dips his head. “I’m a good judge of character, Artemis. Most people are just full of shit.”

Ugh.

“What about Reese?”

“He stepped up to the plate, so…” He seems to debate. “We’ll see how he handles this little reunion. Did he say how he knew Kade?”

“That’s the one thing he didn’t elaborate on.”

Saint grunts.

There’s another pair of fighters next. Two women. One wears all white. She comes with her husband, I think. I like her style, which is more aggressive than mine. She comes out on top, her opponent dazed and staring blankly at the ceiling from the floor.

“This is it.” Saint straightens.

Apollo retakes the platform, and his gaze finds mine. When he announces Prometheus as our late entry, the crowd erupts. Turns out, they like someone who impulsively decides to fight. Just another Saturday night in Sterling Falls.

He strides out in just his pants. Shirt gone. Mask exchanged for a plain black one.

My mouth drops open of its own accord.

Reese isripped. His muscles flex with every step, from his veiny biceps and traps to his tight abdomen, even his freaking chest. I stare with a new appreciation, because with a shirt on he doesn’t really look like this.

Granted, I don’t think I’ve seen him in short sleeves. Those muscles definitely would’ve been a red flag.

Green flag?

I swear, I’m not drooling. Although I run my thumb under my bottom lip just to make sure.

He circles the platform, gazing at the crowd on his level. Searching. Then it lifts, and he finds Saint and me in record time. He winks, but I don’t have it in me to gesture back.

Like… what if Kade beats the shit out of him?

“It couldnotbe Kade,” Saint says. “We could be wrong.”

I roll my eyes. “Naturally, that’s your conclusion. That this is all for nothing, and you goaded him into a fight with a stranger.”

“I didn’t say that,” he mutters. “It’s just an option.”

“Back from last month,” Apollo’s voice rings out, “please welcome… Atlas!”

Also known as: Kade Laurent.

I glare at my brother.

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