Page 63 of Controlled Drift
Rangi and Alexios had been loading their gear with the same calm efficiency they’d shown in the estate—no rush, no bravado, movements economical and precise.Blood gone, adrenaline burned off, leaving behind that dangerous stillness of men who knew exactly what they were capable of.
Alexios had twirled one of his throwing knives once before sliding it back into its sheath, the motion lazy but precise.“Still balanced,” he said mildly.“Good night’s work.”
Ethan arched a brow.“You two put four blades in four men inside of two seconds.Different angles and trajectories, throwing with both hands.”
Alexios smiled.“They were standing where they shouldn’t have been.”
“Your definition of efficiency is disturbing,” Ethan said.
Alexios shrugged.“Our definition of efficiency is final.”
Rangi hadn’t said anything at first.He’d just leaned against the SUV, arms folded, watching Keanu with open interest and absolutely no attempt to hide it.Not predatory.Not cocky.Just ...assessing.Like he was looking at a problem he very much wanted to solve.
Keanu noticed.
Of course he did.
He’d stiffened the moment Rangi’s gaze settled on him, shoulders squaring like he expected a challenge.Instead, Rangi pushed off the vehicle and crossed the space between them with easy confidence.
“You move like a man who doesn’t hesitate,” Rangi said.Calm.Curious.“That’s rare.”
Keanu’s jaw tightened.“You watched me fight.”
“I watched you choose,” Rangi corrected.“Big difference.”
Alexios moved to stand beside Rangi.“He also watched you ignore three cleaner shots because they weren’t the right ones.That takes discipline.”
Keanu frowned.“You’re saying I missed.”
Rangi smiled—slow, knowing.“I’m saying you did, but on purpose.Again, big difference.”
The air shifted.Subtle.Charged.
Keanu scoffed, but there was no heat in it.“You throw knives.I carry a rifle.”
Rangi tilted his head.“Different tools.Same instinct.”
For a second—just one—something softer flickered across Keanu’s face.Recognition, maybe.Or something dangerously close to longing.
Then Alexios clapped his hands once, sharply.“Well.This is getting intimate.Perhaps you should think about sticking around.”
Keanu shot him a look.“You always interrupt like that?”
“Only when I’m interested,” Alexios replied cheerfully.“And I’m very interested in how this ends.”
Rangi stepped back then, giving Keanu space without disengaging.“When we cross paths again,” he said evenly, “I’d like to see how you drive.”
Keanu arched a brow.“When, not if?That an invitation or a threat?”
Rangi’s grin was all teeth this time.“Take it however you want, but I never forget how someone drives.”
Keanu didn’t answer—but he didn’t look away either.
Alexios slung his pack over one shoulder and winked at Keanu.“Careful, friend.He only flirts with people he thinks could kill him.”
Keanu snorted despite himself.“That’s a low bar.”
Rangi’s gaze lingered a heartbeat longer than necessary.“Yeah, but I think you’ll clear it.”
