Page 56 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

He grins and flexes his muscles. “Like what you see?”

I fan myself with a hand dramatically. “Hmm, oh yes… Sure, you’re good to look at. Too bad it’s spoiled when you speak, with that narcissistic personality of yours showing its face. Plus, I couldn’t be with a man who thinks he’s prettier than me.”

He gives me a half shrug. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” I laugh and nod toward the duffle bag.

“Come on, big boy. Your time for groping me is over—let’s play with swords.” I grab my modified Sai swords. Instead of the dull prong in the center, mine has a sharp, double-edged blade. My grandfather commissioned them from his weapons department. Zee and I are equally matched in sword fighting, but I’ve been practicing moves I developed myself while training alone. The sound of clattering metal echoes through the expanse of the room, like the beginnings of a battle song, as we dance backward and forward.

Zee breathes heavily as he praises me. “You’ve been practicing. I’m impressed. Your technique is fluid and economical. We might need to find you someone else to train with who’ll challenge you.” We play first to three—I win.

He bats his long eyelashes. “First to five?”

“Nice try.” I grin. “I won fair and square.”

He rolls his eyes and sighs.

As I guzzle my water, slow clapping ricochets against the walls. I glance up and find Jed and Archan leaning over the viewing balcony. Archan’s eyes swirl light gold. Typical—he’s turned on watching a woman fight. My traitorous body responds with heat spreading throughout my limbs, causing tingling in my fingers and toes. It’s different from Archan’s seductive heat. This is my own reaction.

I put my hands on my hips. “What are you doing here?”

A wicked grin curves Archan’s lips. “I could help with your training.” Struggling to think of anything else but biting those soft lips, I use “Sympathy for the Devil” as my mental block. Archan lets out a full belly laugh, confirming he can hear me.

I growl. “I’m pleased I amuse you.” Zee looks confused. I point to my temple, and Zee shoots him a harsh look.

“We are here to coordinate our work so we can cover more ground,” Archan explains. His logic is sound, but I doubt his intentions, and I don’t want him knowing all of ours. Then again, the more we speak to him, the more we can learn.

“Give me fifteen minutes. Wait in the lobby, and one of us will come and get you.”

Without acknowledging the invitation, Jed and Archan disappear from the balcony. I pick up my towel, wiping the sweat from the back of my neck. Zee opens his mouth to speak, but I shake my head, still sensing Archan close by. We make our way back to the apartment, talking about fighting techniques and analyzing my performance.

Chapter Nineteen

Natia

Taurus—needs to be drunk to talk about personal shit.

“We need to act fast. Archan and Jed will be here in fifteen minutes.” Aaden and Duncan blink. “Don’t ask. You need to hide any research about Archan, the Jar, and Pan.” They don’t move.

I clap my hands to snap them out of their stupor. As one, they shuffle to hide any papers they’d printed, and Aaden closes down his laptop. Organizing the crime scene photos in a file, I place it on the coffee table. Exactly fifteen minutes later, there’s a knock on the door. Approaching it, I frown and peer through the spy hole.Of course he couldn’t wait for us in the lobby.

“Password?”

Archan’s deep voice sounds amused. “Enter the lion’s den at your own risk.” I glance at Zee, who smirks. Composing myself, I open the door. Archan’s dark jeans hug his lean hips perfectly, and the midnight blue T-shirt strains against his muscled arms. It’s deliberate. Meant to entice, to fantasize, to… I shake my head to dispel the thoughts.

He raises a sardonic eyebrow. “Can we come into the lion’s den?”

I focus on Jed’s impressive six-foot-five frame instead of Archan—he’s safer. “Yes, of course.” Stepping back, I indicate the two curved sofas. Archan stalks in as if he owns the place, and they sit opposite each other.

“Would you like a drink?” I offer, being the incredible host that I am.

Jed looks hopeful. “You have beer?”

“Sure. Archan?”

“Same.”

I roll my eyes. “Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?” I mumble. Grabbing five bottles of beer from the refrigerator, I pour myself a glass of roséwine. After handing the guys their beer, I settle on the sofa next to Jed, opposite Archan, who’s being flanked by Duncan and Aaden.

Archan’s gaze flicks to Zee as he sits next to me. “Do you have any further information about Mary?” he starts.

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