I nod, thinking she does as well.
Ares
The briefing runs seven minutes over because Nixie has strong opinions on the new paintball course and people have been fighting over it. I stand at the back of the tent and wait. Kayla is outside and has been given a staff wristband—it was my idea, and Nixie agreed since she is here so often. It keeps her from getting confused as a guest and being made to leave if none of us are with her.
Once Nixie wraps up, I spin and am almost out of the tent when Luca steps in front of me.
“You don’t like me.”
It’s not a question when he already knows the answer. I know how he operates, yet even now he asks a simple question as if it were casual conversation. Luca moves to the side, and I turn to keep Kayla in my periphery.
“I don’t know you,” I reply.
“No, but you have already made up your mind,” he says in a warm tone. He isn’t accusing me of anything, or at least his voicedoes not suggest it.
“I haven’t decided anything yet.”
He smiles and I know the tactic well, as I do the same. It makes the other person feel like they have said something worthwhile, and I know exactly how much work goes into making it look effortless.
“Fair enough,” he answers.
He follows my gaze to where Kayla is standing outside under a string of lights. She has her arms crossed and is looking toward something I can’t see from here.
“Is she a guest?” Luca asks.
“No,” I reply.
“So she is staff. I haven’t met her yet.”
“She is none of your concern.”
His facade drops for a split second and I see it. Fucking hell, I played right into that one and he knows it. He nods and looks back at Kayla.
“Is she here with someone?”
“She is.”
“With him?”
I follow his line of sight and see that Vero has appeared at her side, and she is laughing at something he is saying. Luca is watching the two of them, and his jaw clenches subtly. I make a note of that. Why would he have a reaction to a woman he has never met?
“Among others,” I remark, needing to see his reaction—now he is playing right intomyhands.
“Others? As in there’s more than one?”
“More than enough,” I say lightheartedly.
He smiles at that, his mask back in place. “She must be something.”
I look at him and laugh, not because he is funny, but it plays into what he is feeding me. To make him think I have fallen into his web.
“It’s not a wise idea to go near her,” I tell him.
“No?”
“You see Vero, the one next to her?” I gesture toward him, where he has now started braiding her hair. “He smashed up an entire bar because he thought someone was looking at her. He put men on their asses, yet he is not even the one you should be most concerned about. She has surrounded herself with monsters, so I suggest you keep your eyes to yourself.”
Luca stares at Vero for a moment, then looks back at me, and something close to anger flickers across his face. Ah, now I have caught it a second time.