Riled (The Invincibles 4)

“Wasn’t the only time either. There were other instances of when you knew things that I didn’t remember telling you.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“That’s the thing, Kenz. I’m not.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m psychic, or that Rile is. Maybe it just means we’re intuitive. You’ve never been hard to read.”

“No? You’re the only person who knows me who says that.”

“Because I know you better than anyone.”

She pulled out her phone when it vibrated. “Gotta go. No going outside alone until I get back. Err, I mean, no going outside alone at all.”

I rolled my eyes at the lunacy of their overreaction, but I stayed put anyway.

After an hour, I was bored out of my wits. Teagon said not to go outside, she didn’t say not to roam the house. However, rather than face another lecture, I told her that I was headed down to the gym. “Do I need to alert Casper as well?”

“She’s on ou

tdoor-duty presently.”

“Do you need to come with me?”

“Go ahead. There are security cameras—”

I grabbed the door jamb, and my eyes opened wide.

“Don’t worry, they aren’t in the loo or anything like that.”

“Bedrooms?”

“Not in them, but any entries or exits are monitored.”

I changed my clothes and went to the lift, wishing it had a list of what was on each floor, like a hotel did, since I couldn’t remember where the gym was. I knew it wasn’t on the lowest level and doubted it was on the one below this one since that seemed to be all common spaces like the sitting and dining rooms.

I pressed the button for floor two, and when the lift door opened, I knew I was in the right place. I came around the corner and saw Cortez on the treadmill, with his back to me. Our eyes met in the mirror, and I turned around to leave.

“Wait.”

I stopped but didn’t look back at him. He must find me such an intrusion.

“Don’t go.”

“I’ll come back later and let you finish your run in peace.”

He came around and stood in front of me. “Please stay.”

“I was just going to run.”

“I’m finished. Go ahead.”

I tilted my head. “No, you’re not. You’ve just started.” His eyes opened wide, but he appeared unperturbed.

“I cannot lie to you, can I?”

I looked away, unable to process the way I was feeling. My conversation with Teagon, and now this. I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and looked over at the pool. “I’ll go for a swim instead.”

“In your bikini?”