36. Kabir

Chapter 36

Kabir

now

I do not appreciate being relegated to the basement, particularly alongside strangers and with no indication of where Garrett Reed has gotten off to.

I palm my phone where it's nestled in the front pocket of my trousers, knowing damn well she won't text me but craving the connection, nonetheless.

"Are we shooting pool or are we just gonna stand around looking at each other?" one of the newcomers asks. Hunter introduced him as one of her friend's boyfriends—Kendrick.

A quick Google search didn't produce anything more than his sports stats, a few articles regarding his prospects with the National Football League, and two deeply buried references to an arrest earlier this year.

The arrest gave me pause, but based on what I could find and the vibe he's throwing down, he's no threat to our girl. The familiarity between him and Levi makes it clear they've met before, as well.

"Let's play." Levi springs into action, setting up the game .

He deftly racks the balls, then places the cue ball on its mark and steps back. "Be our guests," he tells the others.

Kendrick is holding a billiard stick, but the other man is propped up against a wall, staring at his phone.

He's a harder nut to crack. Quiet but calculating. Observant but not in a way that makes me question his intentions. It's like he is analyzing each move we make strategically.

I circle the table, stick in hand. "Are you playing, mate?"

The man doesn't look up, nor does he answer my question. Instead, he replies with an unsettling statement.

"I recognize you."

"Is that so?" I ask, standing a bit taller, curious as to which of my business dealings he may be familiar with.

"You're the founder of Project Nemesis," he states.

Color me shocked. Out of the many forward-facing business endeavors in which I lead the charge, Project Nemesis receives the least amount of attention from the general public.

Lips pressed together, I give him a longer assessment.

"I am." I take pride in the not-for-profit training agency I founded years ago. Project Nemesis combines the latest biometric innovations, forensic research, and surveillance technology in an open-source environment only accessible to vetted and trained program participants. The program is used to track and obliterate sexual predators around the globe.

Intrigued, I rest my back against the wall beside him. "What did you say your name was?"

He arches his brows and taps at his phone's screen. "I didn't."

Rude .

"What's your name, then?"

"Kylian Walsh."

Now we're getting somewhere. He likes directness. Noted .

"All right, Kylian Walsh. What agency are you with?" I keep my voice low. If he's involved with Project Nemesis, then there's a good chance his friend doesn't know the details of his line of work.

"No agency or government affiliation," Kylian states. "I completed the Project Nemesis training independently. For a personal project."

Bloody hell. The training is emotionally and mentally taxing, and it's typically only accessible to government agencies deemed worthy of the program. If he completed it on his own—for a "personal project," no less—I'm even more intrigued.

"I took your turn for you, Kyller. The Brit is up."

Straightening, I survey Kendrick, then Levi, who are both watching us.

A quick scan of the table shows me exactly what sort of position Levi has set us up for.

"Well done, you," I murmur as I circle to where he stands.

Analyzing my options, I shift to move behind him, smoothing a hand over his low back as I travel around the table. The move is slow and languid, allowing me to revel in his personal space for a few breaths longer than what's truly necessary.

"You met Kylian?" he asks quietly.

"I did. Peculiar fellow, but I like him."

Levi frowns, his brows knit together in concern. "Kylian is with Joey."

A thrill shoots through me, but I keep my expression neutral. "Yes. I'm aware he journeyed here with Hunter's friend."

His brows pull together even tighter. "No, I mean he's with Joey. He's one of Joey's boyfriends."

"Are you jealous, champ?" I ask, fighting back a grin.

"Jealous?" His lips part in shock. "What? No."

"So then you assume that since I'm pansexual, I want to fuck every person I meet?"

Panic flares in his bright blue eyes. He pulls his backward ball cap off his head to run a hand through his hair. It's a nervous tic. One I quite like eliciting from him, if I'm honest .

"No, that's not it at all—"

I slip a finger through the belt loop of his jeans at the small of his back where the other guys can't see and tug.

Dipping in close to his ear, I let my chin brush his shoulder. This close, my senses are flooded with the sweet scent of peaches and sharp notes of mahogany teakwood.

It takes more strength than I'd like to admit to fight back a groan. "Just so we're clear," I whisper. "I understand all the dynamics currently at play. Kendrick is with Joey. Kylian is with Joey. You are with Hunter. I am with Hunter. And you are also with me."

A sharp intake of breath tells me I've hit the mark.

But Captain America knows the game already. After all, he learned from the best.

Taking a play right out of Hunter's book, he careens back and raises one eyebrow. "Am I?"

He holds my gaze in challenge, very much aware of what he's doing. Now it's my turn to put him in his place.

"You're with me if you wish," I tell him, leaving the actual declaration to him.

I release my hold on his belt loop and slip my hand into the back pocket of his jeans. The stiff fabric makes it impossible to really feel him, yet I can still appreciate the tautness of his ass.

Suddenly, it's not the only thing stiff. I give him a sharp squeeze. "Is that what you want, brat?"

Levi's tongue darts out, and he wets his lips before turning to look me in the eye.

"Yes, sir," he murmurs.

There's a sarcastic hint to his tone, but I can't fight the grin that takes over my face at the confirmation that he wants me, too.

"Do we need to set a timer for you two?" Kendrick rumbles.

I glance up. "Cute," I remark, then line up my shot, sink one ball, and then another .

Sink. Sank. Sunk.

I go for three and miss, but barely. When I right myself, I turn and catch Levi studying me, his gaze full of desire.

Fuck yes. He undoubtedly wants me, too.