Page 47 of Savannah Royals
“Is he now?”
“Yes…except perhaps at the pool table.”
“Mmm.” Ethan's smile is knowing. “He wiped the floor with you there, huh? Don’t worry, he does it to everyone. He has a table in his apartment and zero social life.”
“I’m certain a rematch would bring a different outcome.” I stick my chin out.
Matthew grins. “Doubtful.”
“You know…I like you ten times less when we’re playing pool.”
“Bullshit,”Matthew whispers to me. “You loved it. I think losing is good for you.”
Ethan rubs his chin, continuing to watch us with interest. After a brief pause, he fires again. “Tell me more about yourself, Katarina. Something stimulating.” He gives me a playful wink before sliding a gilded antique pocket watch from his trousers. Faint grooves of engraving catch the light as he flicks the lid open. “You have sixty seconds to impress me. Go.”
For the first time, I falter. I don’t like talking about myself. Too many lies, too many pitfalls. Too many secrets I shouldn’t tell.
“Fifty seconds.” Ethan taps the watch.
But just because Ishouldn’ttell them, doesn’t mean I can’tshowthem. Something simple but effective. And most definitely stimulating…
Target: Ethan DaMolin.
We’re still walking, so I “accidentally” give a soft kick to Ethan’s shoe. He looks down briefly. It’s all I need.
Misdirection.
I stumble forward, as though the impact threw me off. Matthew reaches for my elbow. I grab onto him.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine. Sorry, Ethan, how much time do I have left?”
He glances down, noticing his now empty hand. “What the—”
“Oh, bless your heart. I’ll just check myself, shall I?” I lift his pilfered pocket watch, cataloging the wink of tiny rubies at the end of the clock hands. “Looks like only twenty-two seconds left.”
When he turns his shocked gaze on me, I go for the knockout punch.
“Good heavens, this feels like the longest minute of my life. Perhaps I should just confirm…” I lift up Matthew’s wristwatch in my other hand, comparing the two timepieces.
Matthew grabs his forearm, but it’s bare. “How didyou do that?”
“Magic,” I answer, smiling sweetly. “You might want to check your pants while you’re at it. It seems your fly is unbuttoned. Yours too, Ethan.”
The brothers exchange mortified looks while I laugh.
Ethan recovers first. “Congratulations, Katarina—that’s the most action my brother’s had in years.”
I shrug before, regrettably, handing back his ruby-encrusted timepiece. “Being a gentleman will do that to you.”
“Where did you learn to do that?”
“Well, Matthew already knows this, but…” I take a deep breath. “I grew up in the Catacombs. I have certain…proclivities other Academy girls don’t. Survival skills, if you will.”
“Proclivities, huh? Well, aren’t you just the cat’s meow, Katarina? All the Academy events I’ve suffered through over the years…how on earth did I miss you?”
“Easily. I’ve never been one of the floozies in your doting harem.”
