Mekena was positively the biggest idiot on the face of the earth.

Looking down at the pair of ice skates adorning her feet, she shook her head. How in the hell did she get into this position? Oh, that’s right, she was too proud to give Markus the satisfaction of knowing the truth about her and her horrible skating abilities. Dumb Mekena. She saw the ice rink was full of the families of the Assassins. Everyone was skating with ease, laughing and having a great time. Meanwhile, Mekena was trying to get feeling back into her toes while trying to look like her phone had the most important email known to man on it.

“When will Audrey be back?”

Looking up, she saw Lucy standing with two women she didn’t recognize. They were gorgeous, like most of the damn Assassins wives were. And really, that was a bit sickening. Like, why were all these people so damn beautiful? Weren’t hockey players supposed to be a little busted?

“She told me she’d be back Friday morning to do the cake, and then she delivers it on Saturday morning, right?” one of them asked, and Lucy nodded.

“That’s what she told me.”

“Yeah, Piper told me she was staying with all the kids while Audrey flew back, but I wasn’t sure when that was. And I feel like she needs more than one day to do a cake,” the other lady said.

“Don’t underestimate my sister. She’s a genius when it comes to sweets,” the second woman said, and Lucy grinned.

“You got that right, Fallon. I can’t wait. I’m so excited,” she said, leaning her hip into the boards. Fallon. Mekena knew that name. Ah! Lucas Brooks’s wife.

“You look so happy.”

“I am,” Lucy said, her eyes so bright and so full of love. “I really am, Reese, thanks for noticing.” And Mekena knew that name, Phillip Anderson’s wife. Man, she was good.

“Are you hiding?”

Startled, she looked up to see Libby standing above her, her camera in her hand, right as she snapped a picture. Laughing, she said, “Ha! I’m framing that one.”

“I will cut you,” Mekena warned, and Libby eyed her.

“Why aren’t you out there having fun?”

“Yeah! Mekena, come on. It’s a great sheet of ice. It’s new just for us. Even I can skate on this,” Lucy gushed, and while Mekena loved Lucy, she did, at that moment she wanted to cut her too. She was way too giddy. But then, if Mekena were marrying her happily ever after and had her initials painted in the middle of the ice, she’d be giddy too. “Not well, but I can skate. Somewhat.”

“I’ll be out in a few,” Mekena said as happily as she could.

“Oh, crap. Is that my kid trying to ride Shea like a horse? Shit, it is,” Fallon said, skating off in a hurry with Reese, and thank God, Lucy was behind her. Sighing heavily because she was pretty sure Lucy was going to try to bring her out there, Mekena looked to Libby.

“Shouldn’t you be taking pictures or something?”

Libby grinned. “And miss picking on you? Nah, I’m good.” Sitting down beside her niece, she crossed her legs and leaned into her. “Have I mentioned before that Avery and her love toy make me sick?”

Glancing to where Libby was looking, Mekena laughed as Avery and Jace skated together in a very sugary sweet way. Avery was holding Ashlyn as she skated, and Jace was holding both of them, looking like an image from a poster for family skate night.

“You’ve said it a few times. But man, she is so happy, and she needs that.”

“I know, I know,” Libby said, waving her off. “I’m a hater.”

“You are.”

Grinning, they leaned into each other as they looked around, and Libby took pictures here and there. Everyone was having a blast, and Mekena couldn’t help but smile as she watched all the families and friends interact. She felt a little out of place since she wasn’t a part of any of this, but it was nice to watch everyone. An outsider looking into the awesomeness that was the Assassins team.

When her eyes fell on Markus, though, her lips pressed together. He hadn’t been at the cabin when she had woken up that morning. She’d figured he had practice or something, but he didn’t look the least bit tired. Instead, he looked fresh and happy, so damn happy. There was a pile of kids around him asking for rides, and he was in heaven. His eyes were bright and joyful as he skated each kid around, lying on the ice with them, and chasing them. She could watch him for hours; he was so good with kids. He always said he loved them because he’d wanted a little brother or sister. Growing up alone, he craved a younger sibling, which was why he clicked with children so well.

It was nice.

But a bit painful.

He would make a great dad one day.

“So where is our Markus?”

With horror in her eyes, Mekena shushed her quickly, smacking her in the process. “Libby!”

Still laughing because, obviously, they were in high school, Libby looked out onto the ice. “Oh, I see him.”

“Shut up.”

“Wow, he is sexy.”

“Please Lord, shut up.”

“Damn, he’s got one hell of an ass. Bounce a quarter off that sucker.”

“Oh Lord, please take me now.”

“Damn, have you seen those eyes? I really could use some caramel right now.”

“I hate you.”

“Aw, the kids love him. That’s his godbaby, right? Dawson?”

“Libby, please be quiet. People can hear you.”

“Maybe I should go introduce myself. Do you think it would ruin the party if I kicked him in the balls?”

“I swear on everything holy—”

“He doesn’t look like a douche, though. I kind of feel bad for saying that.”

“Libby, shut up!”

She hadn’t meant to yell it, but when she looked up, everyone was staring over at her like she was crazy, while Libby just laughed.

“Jeez, Kennie, you’re so mean,” Libby teased as she got up and headed onto the ice, skating with ease. Thankfully, nowhere near Markus. Mekena wasn’t sure if her crazy aunt would actually try to take out Markus, so she’d need to keep her eyes on her. But that was hard when Markus was there. He skated effortlessly, owning the ice as he spun with Dawson in his arms. It was so adorable.

Damn it.

Rolling her eyes, she leaned back against the bench as she held her phone back up, hoping everyone would think she was just working and not avoiding the ice like the plague. She figured if she stayed over where she was, undetected, she could avoid getting out on the ice and making a fool of herself. She knew Avery was busy and Lucy and Benji were being gushed over, so she should be good.

That was her plan, at least.

She was knee-deep in an intense game of Candy Crush when she heard Markus’s voice. Her heart stopped, her stomach clenched, and when she looked up, he was standing only feet away with Shea Adler.

And really, it was unfair for two men to be so gorgeous.

“Yeah, for sure, I’ll take any advice.”

Shea nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Cool. Listen, you’re great, everyone is happy with your performance. I know this, I’m sleeping with the boss,” he joked, and Markus laughed. “But when I was watching this morning, I noticed something. So I went back to your footage from Bellevue and then in the AHL, and again, I saw it. You’re not playing unless you have the puck.”

She watched as Markus nodded, but his face clearly showed he had no clue what Shea was speaking about. “I don’t understand.”

“Okay, say you pass it off. Instead of rushing with it, watching your forwards and your defensemen, you stand there, waiting for the play to come to you. I see it in your eyes, you’re getting ready for the next play, which is fine. But while you do that, you gotta be playing, moving, always moving, ready for anything. That’s why they always have the jump on you—because you’re just standing there. You’re doing better, but I think that’s a lot about Sinclair. He plays in his sleep, but I wanted to throw that at you, see if it helps a bit.”

Clearing his throat, Markus nodded once more as Elli Adler skated over. “I get what you’re saying. I hadn’t realized I just stand there.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s your downfall. But he did better this morning, didn’t he?” she asked, and Shea nodded.

“Yeah, because Sinclair was hollering at him. I’m surprised the guy has a voice left,” Shea laughed, and they both laughed along.

Mekena hadn’t realized Markus was struggling so much, and that bothered her. He was usually so good at everything he did, especially hockey. He had that in his back pocket. That was his jam.

Biting his lip, Markus looked over to Elli and smiled. “I really appreciate you both. Giving me this chance, talking to me about what I can do to be better.”

“Of course. You’re family, Markus,” Elli gushed, cupping his face, and he grinned over at her. She had the reputation of loving her players like her kids, and that was why they always played so damn well for her. Seeing her with them, Mekena saw it was true.

“And we want you to succeed. You could be a great asset to this team,” Shea added, and Markus looked a bit uncertain. It bothered Mekena that he hadn’t gone straight in. Yeah, he had his flaws, but he was a damn good player. Smart. She had been convinced he would step on to a team with a great contract. But he hadn’t, and she wasn’t sure what had happened. It was odd to her; it was also odd to see him so unsure of himself. He was always so confident in his play, in himself. And within seconds, she found herself worrying about him.

Fuck. Don’t do that!

Rolling her eyes at her stupidity, she made herself look at her phone. That was until Elli Alder said, “You’re Mekena Preston, right? The photographer?”

Mekena looked up at that just as Markus spoke up. “Yeah, best there is.”

Then he skated off. Like he had said nothing. He didn’t even look back to her. Swallowing hard, she looked up at Elli and smiled. “I am.”

“I have heard such amazing things about you,” she gushed, leaning on the boards, her green eyes piercing into Mekena’s soul.

Tucking her phone in her lap, she smiled. “Oh! Good!”

Elli smiled. “So, two things,” she said, all full of life. It was kind of a whirlwind between her grin and her country accent, and Mekena found herself a little dizzy. “I wanted to have a meeting with you.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes, whenever is good for you,” she added, standing up. “Soon, I hope. Before the season is in full swing. I’m looking for a full-time photographer, and my regular girl is having a baby. Usually, I’d hire out, but your name keeps being brought up. And I figured I’d offer it to someone young because my uncle took a chance on me so long ago.”

Mekena could only blink. Was this really happening? Wait, did she want this? She didn’t even think, though, she just spoke. “Wow. Okay. Yes, the sooner, the better.”

She guessed she did.

“Oh, thank God! I was hoping you’d say that. How about Monday? After all this crazy wedding stuff?”

Mekena was supposed to fly out Monday, but she could push that back. She would push it back. This was an offer from Elli Adler; she wasn’t going to give that up. She wasn’t sure why she was so excited, but instantly, she was. She hadn’t wanted to come home, so she wasn’t sure why she did all of a sudden, but she did.

“Of course. Eight a.m.?”

“You read my mind, and I’ll have the coffee.”

“God bless you,” Mekena said, and Elli grinned.

“Now, onto the second thing,” Elli said, her cheeks turning a little pink. “My sister-in-law told me that I had to introduce you to my nephew.”

A little taken aback, Mekena’s eyes widened. “Your nephew?”

“Yes, she told me she told you about him.”

“She did? Wait, who is your sister-in-law?”

“Grace Justice? The wedding planner?”

Oh! “Yes! Goodness. How did I miss that? I’m sorry. Her son… Ryan?”

“Yes! He’s here, and he wants to meet the girl Grace will not stop talking about.”

Yeah, Mekena was bright red. Hell, her whole body was burning with embarrassment. Grace Justice had been talking about her to her son? That wasn’t crazy at all. While she should be excited to meet a potential hottie, her eyes went across the ice to where Markus was doing leaps like a foolish idiot. But his grin told her he had no cares. She wanted to go over there, be goofy with him, but she knew she couldn’t. Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Oh. Well, let’s go, then.”

“Okay, come on. He’s over there with the kids,” Elli said, pointing to the other side of the rink, the side that had no other way to get to but to skate across the ice. Before Mekena could stop her, Elli took off, leaving Mekena with the intention for her to follow.

Shit.

Watching as Elli crossed the ice, saying hi to everyone she passed, Mekena knew she had to go. Standing, she wobbled a lot, but she still made it to the entry to the ice. She could do this. It wasn’t that hard. Just like walking—on water. No big deal.

Oh, God, she was going to die, and everyone was going to see it.

Swallowing hard, she stepped out on the ice and figured she could ride the side of the boards to him. Elli was already there, gushing over the kids and kissing all over the guy Mekena assumed was her nephew. And holy hot genes. Dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a jawbone that could slice the ice. He was beautiful, just like his uncle and his momma. Tall, too, and thick. Obviously a hockey player. That should have given her a little more confidence to skate over there, but instead, her fingers dug into the siding as she slowly made her way toward them.

When Elli looked up, Mekena let go of the sides and waved. “I’m a little slow. I’m coming!”

Elli said something to Ryan, whose eyes lit up when he looked over at her. As he detangled himself from the kids that were trying to climb him like a wall, she figured he was coming to help.

Oh, no, that was embarrassing.

No, she could skate. She had it!

Letting go of the siding, she went with ease. And at first, things were good. She was skating! But as well as it was going, it suddenly went very bad. She felt her knee bend funny and then her body start to fall. And as the ice came into view, she let out a cry, waiting for the ice to break not only her glasses but her nose too. Maybe her teeth.

But she didn’t fall.

No, instead, someone had her by her hips, pulling her up and to her feet.

“Whoa there, girlie. I thought you knew what you were doing?”

Markus.

Everything inside her went hot. Not from embarrassment but from pure, burning desire. Trying to catch her breath, she looked up at him, his eyes so dark, his mouth so close to her cheek as he smiled.

Crap. Crap on a cracker.

“Markus.”

“Yup, it’s me,” he said, grinning as he stood her on her feet. “Saving your life.”

His cologne made her dumb, and she was speechless as he let her go, skating around her to make sure she was upright.

“You okay?” She only nodded, unable to understand what effect he had on her. She hated how he made her feel. How he could make her forget everything and only want him. How stupid could she be?

“Really stupid.”

His brows quirked. “What?”

“Nothing, sorry. I mean, thanks,” she fumbled, and he just kept smiling.

“Can you make it?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said sharply, her face beet red, feeling incredibly foolish.

“Wow, you’ve lost a lot of weight,” he said, steadying her. Though, she wasn’t steady.

No, she was pissed.

“I have not.”

“Dude, I can lift you over my head.”

“And I was so fat, you couldn’t before?”

“Whoa, I didn’t say that,” he said, giving her a look. “You’re just thinner. It took me off guard.”

“Yeah, guess I’m trying to look good.”

He eyed her, his eyes narrowing as she looked up to him. “You don’t have to try.” Her eyes dropped to his lips, and her heart nearly stopped as she could see his heart pound against his shirt. But then he looked away and said, “Oh, hey, Ryan!”

“Markus, what’s up?” he said, shaking hands.

“Nothing much. Have you met Mekena?”

“Actually, I was coming over to get her for my aunt,” he said, smiling sweetly, but all Mekena could do was try to stay upright and not lean into Markus like she wanted.

“Yeah, hi,” she mumbled, trying so hard to keep her feet from moving. But then her skate started to slide, and she was going down once more. She fully expected Ryan to catch her—she was falling toward him—but instead, Markus stopped her, his hand holding her right up under her arm. His fingers came within inches of the side of her breast.

“She’s not the strongest on skates,” he said to Ryan, who smiled charmingly.

“I can see that,” he said, and she glared back at Markus.

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t let her go, though. “You sure?”

Her stomach flipped a bit, her heart skipping a beat at the knowing grin on his face. “Yes, Ryan has me.” She reached out, digging her fingers into his arms and, thankfully, he steadied her as Markus let go.

“Yup, I got ya,” Ryan said, his lips curving. She wished like hell her stomach did a flip for that. Instead, all she felt were Markus’s hands all over her.

She yearned for more of his touch.

As she glanced back to him, she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes as Markus nodded knowingly. “I can see that. Have fun.”

He skated off.

And while Ryan guided Mekena toward Elli, where any sane person should want to go, she wished she was falling all over the place while Markus caught her, instead.

In his large hands.

The same hands that had held her sister.

The same hands she still ached for.

 

 

“Wow, you look like you have a lot on your mind.”

Markus looked over his shoulder at his best friend and shrugged. “Something like that.”

Jace laughed as he sat on the stool beside him, leaning his arms on the bar. The room was quiet; no one was there yet. Everyone else wouldn’t arrive for another thirty minutes for the karaoke party Lucy and Benji were throwing, which was why Markus was surprised to see Jace. He thought he had a little longer to figure out how he felt, to stuff it all away and act like he wanted to be there. But the truth was, he wanted to find a hole and live in it.

As he took a long pull of his beer, he remembered he had said he would stop drinking. But after the day he’d had, he figured he needed a beer or two. Especially if he had to be all cheerful and party-like to deal with everything at the event. He didn’t mind hanging with them all, especially since he liked everyone. Most of the team would be there, which was good. He could do some team building. But that would also mean he had to talk to Shea again about his game, which he wasn’t ready for. He was still trying to figure out what he’d meant before about not playing when he didn’t have the puck. Something he thought he did, but apparently, he was wrong. That should worry him, but it didn’t. All he cared about was the fact that he might have to see Mekena and Ryan together.

That alone was going to make him lose it.

The whole day at the rink, he’d watched Mekena, waited for her to get up so he could come help her. Just for the chance to touch her, to be close to her. The moment came and he rushed in, but then she skated off with Ryan Justice. He should be thankful, though. Ryan was a sweet kid, someone who could actually be good for Mekena. But in his heart, he was the only one for her, and watching as they laughed and Ryan tried to teach Mekena to skate…it just shook Markus to the core.

She really wasn’t his, nor would she ever be.

And because of that, he was drinking.

“What’s up?”

“Shea Adler was talking about my game, saying I don’t play unless I have the puck.”

Jace’s eyes narrowed as he nodded thoughtfully. “Usually ’cause you are thinking the next play through.”

“Yeah, but he said I stop and wait for the puck to come to me.”

“Yeah, yeah, you do,” he said with a nod. “But now that you know that, you can change it.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. Though, I didn’t realize I did that.”

“Eh, it’s not a big deal.”

“But maybe that’s why I went to the Ninjas.”

“Probably.”

“And that is a big deal.”

“Yeah, but now you know, so change it, fix it, and get it done.”

“Easy for the Rookie of the Year to say.”

“Hey, not all of us can be as awesome as me.” Markus rolled his eyes, and Jace laughed as he slapped Markus’s back. “But, really, you got this. No worries at all.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

“I know so,” he said, leaning into him and grinning back at him. “So other than that, what’s got you all butthurt? Mekena and Ryan?”

He could try to lie and Jace would let him, but instead, he shrugged. “I really fucked that all up.”

“Yup,” he said, nodding his head. “But word is that Mekena isn’t interested.”

“Really?” he said, whipping his head to Jace as he went rigid. “Avery say that?”

“Yeah, she asked. Mekena said he’s too young.”

“He’s basically her age.”

“Yeah, apparently, she likes old men,” Jace teased.

“Hm. Interesting.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re still in there, slugger,” he said, and Markus rolled his eyes again.

“Shut it, dumbass.” Jace kept laughing as Markus grinned, feeling a lot better about that. He had, of course, wondered, and knowing she didn’t care for the guy made him feel a lot better. But it also made him want to apologize even more. “She won’t give me a chance to talk to her.”

Jace’s brows rose. “You’re sharing a cabin. I’m sure you can find a time.”

“She’s never there, and then when we’re out, she’s always doing something. I don’t know.”

“Well, you better do it before she flies off back home and you don’t see her.”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure she wants me to move out on Friday, though, and then I’m damn sure I won’t see her.”

“Yeah, you probably won’t.”

“Yeah.”

Silence settled between the two men as they looked up to the TV, a baseball game on. Neither of them cared for the sport, but it allowed Markus a moment to gather his thoughts. He knew his time with Mekena was precious, that at any moment she would disappear and he wouldn’t get the closure he needed so badly. But every time he gathered his words and he was ready to apologize, all he could think was that that would be it. He’d walk away and she would too, when all he wanted was to be with her, love her. But how could that ever happen? She might never forgive him, and she sure as hell would never trust him again.

A part of him wanted to confront Skylar. Make her own up to what she did, but what would that do? Maybe he did need closure from her too. To know that he wasn’t really a douche, that she tricked him into it. It was killing him because he wasn’t that guy. He wanted to be the decent guy in a sea of douches. He wanted to be someone a woman wanted. He wanted to make people happy, and above all, love his life, but he couldn’t do that with a million pounds of guilt on him. No, he had to do something.

After talking to Baylor the night before, he realized he needed to talk. Which was probably why he had been thinking so much about the therapy the Assassins offered. He had to get all this crap off his chest. He had to talk about what happened, to give it light. While he still wouldn’t fully accept that it could have been rape, he felt better knowing that, while he shouldn’t have put himself in that position, at least he had people behind him and he wasn’t a bad guy. Dumb, but not a bad guy. On top of everything else, Baylor was right, one hundred percent. He had to apologize to Mekena, and he had to confront Skylar. He wasn’t sure when, he wasn’t even sure how or in what order, but for him to move on, to enjoy life once more, he had to do those things.

Or he would forever drown in his guilt.

“What if she doesn’t believe me?”

Jace looked over, confused. “Huh?”

“Mekena, what if I tell her what happened with Skylar, and she doesn’t believe me?”

Jace chewed on his lip for a moment as he looked up at the screen. “I don’t know, man. Guess we just hope she does.”

“Do you think she’d take me back?” Markus asked, and he hadn’t even meant to. He knew the answer, but for some reason, he wanted to hear it from Jace’s mouth. He wanted to know that he too thought Markus was insane for even thinking she’d take him back. It was just so hard, though. When they were together, things were good. He felt her falling into him when he caught her on the ice. The way she looked into his eyes, at his lips, she wanted him. Yeah, he fucked up—he did, and he’d own up to that until his dying day—but they were great together.

Perfect, even.

Jace finally looked over at him, and he paused. Maybe he should just laugh it off. Let it go. Jace didn’t answer for a long time, so long that Markus didn’t think he would, but then he looked back to him and shrugged. “I think that if you two belong together, it will work out.”

Markus didn’t know what to say, so he just stared up at the TV as people started to arrive. Suddenly, though, Jace caught his attention. “But also, if you’re going to go after her, go after her. Don’t play around. Tell her what happened, tell her the truth about how you feel, how you’ve always felt, and do it, you know? Make it work. Don’t think it will work. Fight for her, because her confidence is gone. She lost that when everything went down, and I can’t have anything else ruin that girl, okay? Avery is too close to her, and I’m too close to you. And if that happens, then I don’t even know what will come next. I know you shouldn’t have to think of me or our relationship, but I need you to. Okay?”

He held out his hand, and Markus took it, shaking it before wrapping him in a one-handed hug. “Yeah, bro, I hear you.”

“Cool,” he said, coming off the barstool and slapping him on the back. “My wife is here, looking too damn hot.”

Markus turned just as Avery stopped in front of Jace, a grin on her face. “Oh, hush.”

But even Markus could tell she loved it, and she did look beautiful. She had on a really cute loose-fitting black dress that was long in the back but short in the front with black boots to her knees. Her hair was down, and her makeup was very dark and dramatic.

“Yo, Avery, you got me down for a duet tonight, right?” Markus called over to her, and she gave him a dirty look.

“You know I can’t. Mekena will be here,” she said softly, and he shrugged.

“So? Don’t be like that. We’ve been practicing this duet for months.”

That made Avery laugh, and he smiled. “We have not. I don’t even know what we’re singing.”

“Your pick. Come on, I can’t sing with Jace.”

She made a face of horror. “No one can,” she teased, and Jace glared. “But fine, if she cusses me out, I’m gonna beat you.”

“That’s fine. Send her my way.”

She eyed him. “You mean that.”

“I do.”

Slowly shaking her head, her shoulders fell. “Have you tried talking to her?”

“Kind of, but she keeps running from me.”

“Sounds like her,” she said, looking around the room. “Do you still care for her?”

Markus gazed at Avery’s profile. “Yes.”

“Are you gonna tell her what happened with Skylar?”

When she looked back at him, he looked at Jace, feeling a little betrayed. “You told her?”

“I tell her everything. She’s my wife,” he explained, and Markus glared.

“Either way, I know, and I haven’t told her because I don’t want to hurt her by telling her that her sister is a fucking backstabbing whore. Though, she may know that already. But if you’re going to try to talk to her and whatever, then you need to make sure you are completely honest with her. Explain everything because she thinks you did it because you didn’t want her.”

“That’s not true.”

“Which is what I told her, but I couldn’t tell her what I knew ’cause I promised Jace I wouldn’t. Also, it wasn’t my place. So if you’re gonna do it, do it.”

He nodded, knowing he had no choice. He wouldn’t let Mekena walk around thinking that. No, he’d tell her the truth. He’d make her listen. “I will.”

“And don’t hurt her again!”

“I promise,” he said and then he smiled, taking her hand in his. “I promise, Avery Sinclair, I will never hurt your best friend again. I just gotta get a chance to prove that.”

Using the hand he was holding, she punched him lightly in the chest. “You better not.”

“Hey.”

Markus froze as he looked over to see Mekena standing only feet from him. Like always, he was stunned by her beauty, and his hand ached to touch her. Wearing a short flowy blue skirt, she had a darker blue sweater tucked into it. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she looked fresh and fun, especially with her little white sneakers. She looked like a schoolgirl and not of the naughty variety. The kind you begged for the answers to the test. But it wasn’t just the answers that Markus wanted. No, he wanted all of her.

“Hey,” he said before Avery and Jace could. They both looked over at him, and so did Mekena, her eyes narrowing before she rolled them, looking back to Avery.

“Where are we sitting?”

“Over there somewhere. Let’s go find a spot,” she said before they walked away together.

Watching as she walked, he saw Mekena’s skirt flirting with him, showing little peeks of the back of her thighs and the insides to the point where Markus’s hand came to his chest as he let out a breath.

Jace, though, he laughed. “Man, you got some work to do.”

“Yeah, I do,” he agreed as he watched the ladies sit before they moved their heads together. As he watched them, knowing darn well they were talking about him, all he could do was smile. He knew it would take work to get her back, the kind of work that terrified him, but that wasn’t a problem.

Markus had no difficulty working for the things he wanted.

Or loved.

And Mekena was both of those things.