Page 50 of Reflex

“Because he’s running scared.Aren’t you a fighter?”

Alle levelled a scowl at him.“Xane, I can’t.He pleaded.He asked me go.I actually think I should.I need to.This isn’t exactly easy.”

Xane patted her shoulder, as he pushed himself back onto his feet.“At least hold tight long enough for me to talk to him.”

“Xane, I don’t think… That’s probably not a good idea.”

Regardless, he was intent on it.

Both Ronnie and Spook appeared, from different directions, at approximately the same time.Xane met his friend some distance from the table, while Ronnie sidled up to her still shaking water from his hands.“Drier’s busted,” he muttered by way of explanation.“Do you still want to leave?”

“Sit down.”He was blocking her view of Spook and Xane’s exchange.They were too far away to make out what they were saying, but it was clear from their body language that things were tense.Xane eventually strolled back to the table, clearly frustrated.Even from across the space, Alle had no trouble interpreting Spook’s expression as one of angry resignation.

“Go talk.”Xane gave her an encouraging nudge in the right direction.

“Does he want to?”

Xane didn’t answer.

“Go on, A,” Ronnie prompted.“Maybe flash him a tit.I defy him to resist you.”

Alle huffed and rolled her eyes.Ronnie was good for her ego, even when he was making prick-like remarks.He blew her a good luck kiss when she glanced back at him.She was going to need it.Spook’s mouth sat squashed into a vexatious moue, and rehashing things was likely to make them both even more miserable than they already were.