Page 66 of Corrupted Empire

We leave the dance floor and lead Shannon over to our table. En route, Alexis whispers, “Give the girl a break. She reminds me of me.”

Of course she does.

I sigh. If Alexis really wants to do a fluffy interview with a toddler, I suppose I can give the girl a few minutes of my time.

“I can see why you’d think that,” I whisper back. “Only you were more annoying.”

Alexis pokes my side again, and I laugh.

We take a seat at the table, and Shannon stands in front of us. Her face is pink, and she takes a second to silently read over her list of questions. When she looks up at us, I see that although her expression is nervous, there is bravery in her eyes.

“Okay, first question,” she says. “Which of you is more likely to cook a romantic dinner?”

Fucking hell. It’s one ofthoseinterviews.

Alexis grins. “Definitely me. I’m not sure Gabriel can cook.”

“I can cook,” I argue.

She eyes me quizzically. “Then how come I’ve never seen you do it?”

“I’ve never seen you cook either.”

That’s a lie. I watched her cook every day on the cameras while she lived in her apartment.

“Question two,” Shannon continues, apparently unfazed by our bickering. “Which of you is most likely to get up and sing karaoke?”

“Me,” Alexis says.

I nod in agreement.

“Which of you is most likely to snore in your sleep?”

“Alexis,” I say.

“Gabriel,” Alexis says at the same time.

We glare at each other.

“I do not snore,” I tell her.

“You do snore. I have heard you snore.”

“That’s simply not true.”

“It is true!” Alexis huffs. “It’s like a Boeing 747 going off sometimes.”

I look at Shannon. “Is there a question about which of us is most likely to lie about the other snoring? Because I can tell you right now who that would be.”

“You’re ridiculous!” Alexis says with a laugh, “How would you know if you snore or not unless somebody tells you? You’re asleep!”

“Because that’s the sort of thing I just know!”

Alexis glances at Shannon. “Is there a question in there about which of us is most likely to think they know everything when they really don’t?”

“There is, actually,” Shannon replies.

Alexis looks back at me, and we hold each other’s gazes for a long beat. And then we both break down in laughter. My shoulders shake, and I lean over to press a kiss to Alexis’ brow.

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