Page 60 of Gambit
“You, you idiot,” he snickers.
“Me? What did I do to deserve a gift?”
“Apart from getting his dick wet?” Raphael says with a loud laugh. “Everything. Just being you. This is from all of us.”
“But it wasmyidea,” Oliver says sternly from inside the utility.
“Okay, I’m officially intrigued! What is it?”
Oliver returns with a sleek black kitty in his arms that gives us a sleepy once-over before yawning its little head off. “This is for you.” He hands me the cat, and I blink at it, cuddling it instantly as it purrs and snuggles into my arms.
“Oh, my God! You assholes,” I say, tears springing into my eyes. “You are utter cocks, you know that?”
“Is that good or bad?” James asks, coming closer.
“Good. So fucking good. I love her. Him?”
“Her,” Oliver confirms. “We adopted her. She was left in a box on the side of the road.”
“Fuckers!” I hiss, cuddling her even closer. “I hope you’ve got a name for me so I can leave their chopped remains in a box on the side of the road.”
“Working on it,” Tarquin says with a smile.
“Thank you,” I say, sniffing slightly at this heartwarming and thoughtful gift. “I will love her and cherish her.”
“What are you going to call her?” Oliver asks.
“Demon,” I say instantly. “My little Demon. She’s going to be badass.”
“Just like her mama,” Raph murmurs, pulling me closer and then yelping as Demon lashes out with her claws.
“Oh, you’ve just made a rod for your own backs there, boys.” I laugh loudly and tickle Demon under the chin. “They’re okay really, little kitty. You’ll see.”
I sit back with my new bestie in my arms and survey the guys as they fall back into an easy conversation. Oliver gets out all the cat paraphernalia, which, by the looks of it, must’ve cost more than this house.
“I love you,” I murmur.
None of them hear me over their chatter, but that’s okay. They know it anyway.
30
ELIZA
“Look at this place,”I say, stepping onto the training grounds with Robert close behind. The sun sits low in the sky this morning as we make our way into the old library basement.
“Any advice?” Robert asks, looking at the obstacle course that sprawls before us, his gaze sharp and calculating.
“Keep your head clear,” I say, stopping to face him. “Don’t let the adrenaline mess with your focus, and remember, these people are watching your every move.”
He nods, the corners of his lips twitching upwards. “I’ll give them a show they won’t forget.”
“Good,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Because how you handle today decides more than you think. It’s not about making it to the end—it’s about what you do when you’re pushed to your limit. You are their future King, and what you do matters.”
“Then let’s see how far I can go,” he says, cracking his knuckles, all pretence of nonchalance gone. His eyes are alive with fire, the kind that burns in someone ready to prove their worth.
We move toward the starting line, where some early birds are ready to face the gauntlet and kick its ass. Hopefully.
“Robert, meet the brave souls who think they’ve got what it takes,” I say, gesturing toward the group of students lined up at the starting point. “This right here is the future of Castle University.”
