Page 42 of The Claiming

“What makes you say that?” I ask, and he grins.

“Cassie likes to win, and she has been taught by the best.”

“The best?” Ali interrupts, showing obvious interest.

“Her father. You see guys–” Jack chuckles softly. “Ryder King is a legend. I have never known anyone to get the better of him, both in the military and civilian life. He has sharpened his craft and taught Cassie from the crib. She is more than a match for any man and my money is on her getting out of that tunnel and onto the opposite side of the riverbank before the centurions have even started their chase.”

He adds, “Which is why I agreed to the challenge, because I always have something to prove to her and to myself. It’s a matter of pride with us because if Cassie is intent on winning, I am too.”

“But what happens if you claim her, Jack?” The malevolent gleam in Ali’s eye makes me smile.

“Then we carry on as we always have. As friends.”

“And you would be happy with that?” I ask, leaning forward, his answer important to me.

“Of course.” Jack shrugs. “I love her. I always have as anyone would love a best friend.”

“So, if someone, say Frankie, got there first. How would you react to that?”

Santi asks the million dollar question and for a second, I register a brief moment of panic in Jack’s eye that he quickly disguises with a shake of his head.

“Then the best man would have won because if he gets anywhere near her, or in front of me, he is deserving of his prize.”

I don’t miss the warning in his words as the atmosphere stills and tension increases. It’s only broken when Jesse arrives and whistles slowly.

“Man, that Miss Sloane is something else.”

“Why, what happened?”

My focus shifts and he shrugs. “I’m just making an observation.”

As he reaches for the pizza, I’m struck by the way he won’t meet my eye and I smile to myself. Fuck Jesse, he is opening a can of worms that could prove extremely bad for him because if I know my friend, something happened back there that he is not willing to admit to. He will, though. I’d stake my life on it because Jesse can’t keep a secret from me, no matter how hard he tries.

TWENTY-ONE

CASSIE

Siri paces our room with a nervous smile as she makes a fist and says with a shaking voice, “This is so fucked up.”

I regard her from my sitting position on the bed as I pull on my sneakers. We are both dressed entirely in black, our hair pulled back in ponytails with determination in our souls.

“It is.” I’m cool and composed because failure will not be an option and yet Siri obviously doesn’t share my assertion because she says with a tremble in her words, “What if we don’t make it out the other side? I’ll be stuck with some creep—I just know it and there is nothing I can do about it.”

“Jack will make sure we’re okay.” I reassure her and note the flush to her face as she says hesitantly, “But he’ll save you, Cass. Why wouldn’t he?”

“Because I told him if there’s a choice, to go for you.”

“Why?” Her eyes widen.

“Because I have no intention of failing, and I’ll have your back.”

I seize her hand and pull her beside me on the bed. “Listen, we can’t lose. Frankie gave me a guided tour. It’s easy. I know the way and I’ll guide you. We have a headstart so we can’t fail if we follow the route. Jack will be behind us, holding the others off, and we will be out before they even realize we’ve gone.”

“I hope you’re right, Cass.” Siri sighs. “It’s exciting though. I’ll admit to that.”

I laugh at her infectious grin and nod to the door. “So, let’s go and show them the power of the prepared. They won’t know what hit them.”

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