“I don’t think she should be allowed in on this round. Period,” Brant growled. “I have a feeling it would cause shit.” He turned his eyes to Lazarus. “According to the feedback I’ve received, you don’t plan on choosing anyone in this heat. Is this true?”
“He spent the night with a female last night,” Gideon growled. Talk about being put on the spot.
“Maybe he will choose her. You plan to don’t you?” His eyes were so dark that they looked black. Gideon spoke through clenched teeth.
“Shit!” Alexandra took a step towards Lazarus. She huffed out a breath. “Sorry I called you an idiot and a moron.” She swallowed hard. “I know you’re not deaf or brainless. I’m really hoping you’re not spineless.”
What did that have to do with anything?
“I have a spine.” Lazarus put his hand to his back.
“Good. Look…” She licked her lips. Her little tongue tracing the full expanse of her lower lip before tracking back up to the top one.
Motherfuck! This female was stunning.
“Urm…this is awkward.” She rubbed the toe of her sneaker into the dirt “I don’t mind that you spent the night with another woman. I really don’t. I need you to please guarantee that you’ll choose me though. We get along”—her eyes flashed with panic—“mostly. We could get along.”
Lazarus folded his arms, looking down at the female. She scented sweet, and looked even sweeter. Problem was, she was far too small. There was just no way.
“What?” She cocked her head. Defiance placed in her eyes. “You look like you’re sizing me up and finding me lacking.” Her cheeks flushed even darker.
Then again, maybe? There was only one way to find out. “I have a condition.”
“Name it.” She smiled. It transformed her face from sexy as all hell to all out beautiful. Like nothing he had ever seen before.
Damn!
Gideon snarled, reminding him that the other two males were still there.
“What the fuck crawled up your ass?” Brant asked Gideon.
“Nothing,” the male replied. “I’m fine.”
“What’s your condition?” The female repeated.
“Let’s just agree upfront that if you can meet my condition, I’ll choose you to go through to the next round.” He raised his brows.
“That’s bullshit.” She snorted. “Complete utter bullshit. What if I don’t meet this condition of yours? Surely I need to have some sort of an idea of what I’m up against? What if it’s impossible?”
“I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” He fucking hoped it would be impossible. “You’re a strong, feisty female, in her prime.”
“What does that have to do with anything? This is complete bullshit.” She muttered while shaking her head.
“Fine.” Brant smiled. “You”—he turned to the human—“get to stay for two days but should Lazarus decide not to take you through to the next round, then you are out and forfeit any involvement in the program going forward. Do you agree?”
Alexandra smiled. “Yes, I do,” she said without hesitation.
Thank fuck! Excitement coursed through him.
The punch came out of nowhere. He felt his nose crunch and his bone crack as Gideon’s knuckles made contact with his face. Fuck, but the male could hit. Lazarus staggered back, somehow managing to maintain his footing.
“Fuck you!” Gideon snarled, his face a mask of rage. The male turned and stormed away.
Lazarus felt rivulets of blood slide down his face. He refused to feel guilty. The agreement was, that unless he found a female willing to be with him, that he would help out with Jenna. Thing was, he had found a female. It was crazy and unexpected but it was true. Lazarus was taking his chances. He couldn’t wait to discuss his one, very important, condition with the delectable human. Couldn’t fucking wait.
****
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Brant growled from somewhere behind him.
All Gideon wanted was to keep on walking. He didn’t want to face anyone right now. Two fucking days and Jenna would be gone.
Not only gone but in grave danger too.
He already felt guilty for hitting the male. On the other hand, his fist connecting with Lazarus’ face had felt really good.
The female showing up now, was such putrid timing. On the one hand, he actually felt happy for Lazarus but on the other, he felt like killing him.
Gideon turned and faced his king. Although he wanted to tell Brant everything, come completely clean, he couldn’t risk it. If Jenna ended up getting booted from the program, she would be in grave danger. He couldn’t do that to her. It would be better to take the safer path.