Page 67 of Warrior

I cover my mouth so I don’t laugh.

It was only a year and a half ago that someone else blew it up. That one, however, had a much more devastating impact. It resulted in the whole place being demolished and rebuilt.

Kind of like how Kade will have to rebuild his house…

I don’t think I’d mind that. If it was a new house, then I could stomach it.

Not that I want to stomach anything to do with him, I’m just saying. Icould. And maybe Saint could, too.

“Artemis!”

I flinch.

Malik flings open my door and ducks down to stare at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard—saw?—”

He grunts and reaches past me. Kills my engine, unclips my seat belt. Tows me out. All in swift movements. He looks me up and down, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was tempted to pat me down, too.

I had jeans in my car, buried under some towels—and the gold dress from last night is tucked into it. It can pass as a shirt, so that’s what we’re going with. Because I tend to cliff jump spontaneously, I’ve learned to keep an assortment of clothes with me. Stashed under my seat on my bike, in the trunk, et cetera.

Not that it really matters.

He pushes me against the car, his expression sharpening. “Where were you that you saw it?”

I open and close my mouth.

I once had a crush on Malik. It’s faded now, but I can’t help the tug of worry in my gut.

“Someone tried to kill you,” I say weakly.

He rolls his eyes. “Really? You think?”

“I—”

“I was being sarcastic.”

Right.

“The last I saw you, you were unconscious in the backseat of this car.” He slams his hand on the roof. “How did that happen?”

My breathing hitches. “Um…”

“Artemis,” he warns.

“Was the car parked?” My tone is hopeful.

“No.” He crosses his arms. “Reese was driving. Right past us, here.”

I swallow. Reese didn’t mention that. At my confusion, Malik sighs.

“He said he was trying to help you, and then Laurent and some of his guys rode up on us. Reese took you and split before they reached us.”

My eyes widen. “They… what?”

“Cyclopes in East Falls.” He shakes his head. “I thought Kronos had a pair of balls, but these guys…”

I scrunch my nose. I shouldn’t think about Kade’s balls. Anddefinitelynot the former Titans leader’s wrinkly old set.

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