Page 124 of Pretty Little Shadow
"Could you take Grayson?"
"Physically, no way in hell. With my shadows, it could go either way."
Darius glanced at Grayson.
He nodded. "If Rae wanted the vampire throne or a seat on the Cabinet, she'd have it."
"I don't want it." I stood up, offering Darius a hand. He gave me a dirty look and didn't take it, rising to his feet anyway. "Don't be a sore loser."
"I'm not a sore loser. I was just… unprepared. Give me another chance." He held his arms out. "Please?"
I rolled my eyes. "I already won the game. Why would I bargain with my freedom now?"
"You need to sweeten the deal," Liv put in. "Offer to buy her pizza every time she kills someone when you go with her, if you beat her."
"Chinese food would be way more effective," Kat offered.
I gave her a look that called her a traitor.
She grinned back.
The grin was contagious.I had to bite back one of my own.
"What do you say, Shadow? Free food every time I go to work with you, if I win?"
"Sure.Ifyou win."
"Find your center and don't let her move you," Grayson instructed. "You're a hell of a lot bigger than her, and that's your only advantage. The moment you lose your balance, she has you."
I flashed him a glare.
"Even the best assassins disappear sometimes. Backup isn't a bad idea,” he said.
"Exactly." Darius flung a hand toward Grayson. "Thank you."
"I'm not on your side. You thought I'd send a twenty-year-old who didn't know how to fight to kill my enemies."
"Okay. Fair." Dare stretched his neck and shoulders before getting down into position a little more securely.
Fucking Grayson.
He announced the start of the fight again, and I went in significantly more cautiously. Dare played defense, so it took me some time, but I did manage to take him down again and hit him with my nonexistent knife.
"Dead," I repeated.
"Offer her new shoes for another round," Merrily suggested. "Combat boots. Expensive ones. She won't spend the money, even though she has it."
The look I shot her was murderous.
But when Darius offered, I reluctantly agreed.
Ididwant more combat boots.
Knowing that everyone else still thought having backup was a good ideadidcost me just a little confidence.
Grayson gave him a few more instructions before the next round.
I flipped him off before he started the fight.
