Page 62 of Evolve

But then, just as quickly as he was on top of me, he’s gone.

And so is my last gun.

Motherfucker!!

My eyes fly open only to find Nyx standing over me, one gun in each hand, his face lit up like it’s his fucking birthday.

“You better run,Princesa,” he murmurs. My eyes narrow at the nickname, but I’m not stupid, so I do as he says.

I move like a ninja and jump over the back of the couch, barely catching myself before landing on my knee. I rise and run, full speed to the kitchen, Nyx hot on my heels.

“How is she fucking doing this shit? Seriously!” Maddox shouts, making me grin.

I skid to a stop behind the island, the sink to my back.

“Looks like you have nowhere to go. That was a stupid, stupid move.” Nyx chuckles as he walks deeper into the kitchen. My steps retreat as I back up so that I’m pressed against the counter. Slowly, my hands move behind me. Nyx doesn’t notice, he’s too busy thinking he’s won.

Idiot.

He circles the island and closes in on me.

Five feet, four feet, my hands get closer to my target.

Three feet, his smile widens as he raises his guns.

Two feet, his fingers hover over the triggers.

One foot, I spin, grabbing the spray hose next to the faucet and turning on the cold water.

I yank the hose as far as it will go andun-fucking-leash.

Nyxon’s shocked expression fills me with such intense delight, I literally screech like a crazy person. In less than thirty seconds, he’s fuckingsoakedand I have never been happier in my entire existence.

Maddox’s laughter pulls me from my Super Soaker 3000 experience and I turn my gaze toward him and the other men. Maddox is on the floor, roaring out his delight. Gage is bent over the dining table laughing just as hard. Even Stone is sharing in Nyx’s defeat as he holds his stomach while cackling.

“I thinkyoushould be the one to admit your defeat, asshole,” I finally say, looking back at Nyx. His face is red and pinched in anger but I can see the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. His face and beard are dripping continuously, as are his soaking wet clothes.

Nyx shakes his head and cracks a smile before bending over and relinquishing his weapons onto the floor. I release the trigger and drop the hose, letting it smack against the counter as I jump up and down, spinning with excitement.

“I won, motherfuckers!” I scream. “And since I am the reigning champ and the only one here who is still dry, I’mnotfucking cleaning this up!”

All four men stop laughing instantly as they share various looks of irritation all pointed in my direction. I use their momentary shock as a cue for me to make my exit.

I run back to my room, laughing and lighter than I’ve felt in a long fucking time.

Ella

Afteralonghotbath, I emerge from the steamy bathroom and find my room empty.

Well, that’s not true. It’s full, just not with any of my belongings. The room that was once mine, has become the new Comms room.

“How long was I in there?” I murmur, bewildered by the transformation.

“Not long. You’d be surprised what four men can accomplish when Gage is threatening us with certain death,” Stone chuckles, popping up from under the large desk. I jump and squeal, pulling the towel tighter around my body. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I’m just hooking everything up.”

I nod and force myself to relax. Stone’s eyes don’t linger on my body which comforts me as much as it bothers me. A part deep down inside of me is sad at the fact that Stone, who I am more attracted to than I should be, doesn’t feel the same about me. Surely, any man who sees a woman only covered by a tiny towel would look, at least a little.

My scars suddenly burn with a reminder ofwhyhe didn’t look and heat rises to my cheeks.

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