Ryker
--
He barely steps through the front door before Kai and Lira are on him.
Kai’s already pacing. “Where is she?! What did you do now?”
Ryker raises both hands. “Nothing. It was a first date. We’re taking it slow, remember?”
Kai narrows his eyes. “Slow? It’s fated. You guys don’t have slow. That’s the point.”
Lira elbows him hard.
Kai winces. “Knock that s**t off. That hurts.”
“Stop being stupid then,” Lira snaps. “You’re right — it’s fated. But he’s giving her the choice of how to walk into it. That’s perfect. Don’t f**k this up.”
Ryker chuckles, tension easing. “I’ll do my best.”
He walks past them, heading toward the kitchen, but stops halfway and turns back.
“I saw her power tonight,” he says quietly. “Really saw it.”
Kai and Lira both go still.
“She could take this wh
