Page 79 of Warrior

There’s something in his expression now that seems… regretful. But is it for something he’s actively doing? Or his past decisions?

I eye him.

His hand lands on the small of my back, ending my hesitation. He guides me out and turns me away from my bedroom. I move faster into the main living space, just so his touch will stop.

Reese and Saint both wait for us.

Oh, fuck.

The reality of the situation crashes down on me, and I bite back a grimace.

Is this an intervention?

18ARTEMIS

“I don’t havetime for this.” I spring forward, away from Kade’s hand, and make a beeline for the door.

Saint follows me into the hall, and I laugh to myself at the stupidity of it all. Kade being in my condo. Saint tattooing him. Reese being—I don’t know.Fucking Reese. Good or bad, he’s unexpectedly kind.

“Honestly, Saint,” I call over my shoulder. “I don’t think I can do any more betrayal from you.”

I can’t. I thought he would stand with me in this. Didn’t he see me in the hospital? Didn’t he help rescue me from Gabriel’s fucked-up game?

“Tem.”

“Don’t call me that.” I hit the button for the elevator. Jab my finger onto it again when it doesn’t immediately light up, then again a few more times. “Why’d you even follow me out here?”

He sighs.

“Don’tsighat me,” I snap.

“You burned down Kade’s house.” He stops beside me. “You’re acting erratically.”

“Maybe I’m just traumatized.” I glare at him. It’s true, though. Maybe Iamtraumatized. By betrayal and lies andbackstabbing. It’s a lot for a girl to go through on her own. I’m totally on my own, aren’t I? Saint and Reese and Kade are only just visitors in my life. My brother is out of town. Antonio… I can’t go to him.

I’m alone. I’d be more alone if Saint stopped chasing me.

The elevator chimes, and I step in before the doors have fully opened. Saint follows. His hands are in his pockets, his expression stricken.

Ha.

“Why did you follow me?”

The doors slide closed.

“Because I care.”

“You have a funny way of showing it,” I mutter.

He shakes his head. “You just don’t want to see that I’m trying to keep everything together. All the time.”

“Oh?” I face him. “What are you trying to keep together? Me? You?”

“Yes,” he hisses. “Yes, Artemis,you. And the tattoo shop. And my own fucking traitorous brain.”

“Because of Kade,” I surmise.

He reels back. “Excuse me?”

---