Page 9 of Bryce

All I could do was wait with my heart in my throat as he worked out the details with the lions. Leslie wandered over to Martina, where the two of them had a hushed conversation. That left me on my own in a room full of people, my stomach tying itself in knots.

My heart joined it when Gate and Bryce exchanged a nod.

Naturally.

Dallas passed, and I tugged his sleeve. “Are the teams worked out, then?”

“Aye, they are. You, Leslie, Logan and Bryce will move northeast with Gate.” My expression must have given me away, for he frowned. “Does that not suit you? Would you rather stay behind?”

How tempting it was, the notion of refusing. Telling them I would rather stay behind to protect the women and children. I might ask to switch teams, too, though that would look downright foolish. Everyone knew how devoted Leslie and I were to each other. Like two halves of the same personality.

If I asked to join Miles’s team, there would be nothing but questions.

Exactly what I didn’t need.

“No, of course. Team One it is.” I forced a smile and sketched a salute. He would have no trouble from me.

I could manage this. I could manage anything.

Even the way my breath caught whenever Bryce’s eyes met mine.

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