Page 120 of Heresy

Everyone takes a seat, probably more out of shock than obedience.

I stand against Tanner’s usual wall.

For the most part, everyone looks perplexed.

Except Gabe.

Oh, no. His lips are wobbling with the obvious smile he’s trying to hide. Maybe his self-control isn’t as good as I originally thought.

“What’s so funny?” I bark.

He snorts, the laugh almost escaping before he pulls himself back together, his cheeks an interesting shade of red.

“Did she make you cry?”

Wiping at my eyes that are still tearing up, I flinch at the pain of just pushing the sand deeper. Then I flip him off.

“No. She didn’t make me cry. She’s a goddamned ninja.” I’m pointing at her and tattling like a toddler.

Now all the guys are attempting to turn their heads, cover their mouths or tighten their lips in an attempt not to smile or laugh.

All but Damon.

He just busts out with enough laughter that his red, teary eyes match mine.

Gasping in short breaths, he holds his stomach, his attempt to talk choppy.

“Don’t… Man, are you saying… There’s no way.”

“Just spit it out,” I demand.

“Are you saying you got beat by a girl?”

Oh, that breaks the dam. Now they’re all laughing.

I attempt to roll my eyes, but it hurts too much.

“I didn’t get beat by a girl. She’s sitting on the couch, isn’t she? Obviously, I won.”

After glaring at her sitting there looking all innocent, I scan the rest of the room.

“She doesn’t know where her dad is. Their security firm involved ex-military. That is the information you wanted. My job is done. And I’m going the fuck home.”

Pushing away from the wall so I can walk out with some dignity left, I stop when Ezra and Damon move to block the doorway.

We’re the same height, the three of us. So it doesn’t take much for me to look both of them in the eye.

“Move or I’m taking you two out.”

Damon is still chuckling. “You’re staying. What the hell happened?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Tanner says at my back. I turn to see he was following me and is now mere inches from where I’m standing.

He grabs me by the shoulder, but I shake it off.

“Ask Brinley whatever you want. After that, let her go. She’s your issue now.”

Ivy pipes up from where she sits next to the problematic nerd.

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