Page 96 of Until It Was Real

“What’s happening? What am I watching?”

She giggles. “Kai striking out with the owner, Harper.”

I gasp. “It’s possible for a Raider brother to strike out?”

She shakes her head. “You’ve got it bad for Rhett.”

I elbow her. “At least his assistant didn’t catch us going at it in his office.”

Her cheeks darken. “Only because he doesn’t have an assistant.”

She’s wrong. Rhett and I haven’t removed our clothes in his office. Not for lack of trying on his part. But I know better. The locks on the office doors are flimsy. Not to mention, all of the Raider brothers know how to pick locks and have no qualms about eavesdropping.

“Dakota!” Rhett motions me toward him.

Paisley grins as we walk toward the group of men. “This should be fun.” She rubs her hands together. “What’s the betting starting at?”

“The betting?”

She motions to the dartboards. “The betting for who wins.”

I hold up my hands and retreat a few steps. “I’m not playing darts.”

Kai slaps a set of darts into my hand. “If I have to play, so do you.”

“What’s wrong, little brother?” Zane asks. “Did the bartender not fall at your feet?”

Kai scowls. “Harper isn’t the bartender. She’s the owner.”

While Miles and Zane tease Kai, I inch toward Rhett.

“I shouldn’t be playing darts,” I whisper to him.

He squeezes my shoulder. “There’s no reason to be nervous. You’re part of this family now.”

As much as I want to enjoy his words, I can’t. Not when I’m holding these death missiles in my hand.

“Jaxon doesn’t have to play.” I glance around. “He’s your brother and he’s not even here.”

Rhett frowns. “Jaxon is an exception to every rule.”

“But I—"

“Dakota!” Eli calls. “You’re up first.”

Rhett steers me toward the start line. He stands behind me and lifts my hand. “Grip the dart with three fingers. Let me show you.” He loosens my grip. “Steady but not too tightly.”

“Okay.” I breathe out. I can do this. I can throw a dart and not injure anyone.

“Raise the dart to eye level and tilt the tip upward, aligning it with your target on the board.”

Once I’ve followed his instructions, he steps away. “Now throw the dart with your hand and wrist, snapping your wrist as you…”

I miss the rest of what he’s saying as I throw the dart. It flies into the air. But it’s not heading in the direction of the board. It’s aiming straight for Kai.

“Duck!” I yell.

Kai glances over his shoulder and – bam! – the dart hits him in the face. He grabs his nose as blood spurts out. I rush toward him but he waves me away.

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