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There’s some chatter as everyone starts making plans to attend and Daniil finally has to shut everyone up.

“Okay, guys, we can talk about the fight after the briefing.”

The group starts to boo and Courtney throws a balled-up napkin at him. He just rolls his eyes and keeps talking.

My phone immediately buzzes.

GRIM: You sure about this? You need me to help you train?

RAGE: Yes and yes.

GRIM: You got it.

Luna’s texts come next.

LUNA: The gang is a little TOO excited about you fighting again…

RAGE: Not you?

LUNA: I just don’t want you to get hurt. But I’m excited for you because I know how much you enjoy it. Plus, I’ve only ever seen you fight in videos. Seeing it live will be both interesting and terrifying.

RAGE: I won’t be mad if you don’t want to watch. I understand that it might be a little…brutal.

LUNA: Even if I have to cover my eyes, there’s no way I won’t be there for you! What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t support you in the things you want to do?

RAGE: The kind who doesn’t enjoy violence.

LUNA: That’s true but short of an emergency, there is no universe where I don’t show up.

RAGE: You don’t know how much I appreciate it.

LUNA: Maybe you can show me tonight.

RAGE: I could show you many things…did you have any one thing in particular?

LUNA: I don’t know. Didn’t you say something about handcuffs once…

RAGE: You sure you know what you’re asking for, princess?

LUNA: Oh, I’m fairly certain.

RAGE: Buckle up, buttercup. You better eat some extra protein today.

LUNA: You might want to take the same advice, big guy.

I chuckle to myself.

We’re totally ignoring the meeting, but I can read the damn schedule. I don’t know why we have to go over it in detail.

“Rage.” Mark’s voice brings me out of my lusty haze. “You think you could switch the job on October fourteenth for any other day? That’s my wife’s birthday.”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks.

There are a few more change requests, Daniil makes them, and then we’re free for the rest of the day. Well, I am. Luna apparently has things to do because she bustles off to her office before I have a chance to talk to her, but that’s okay. We’re going back to my place tonight, so I need a little time to prepare anyway. I joked about handcuffs but I honestly have no idea where they are. I may even have to buy a new pair because I haven’t had a woman over since I moved into my current apartment.

“Hey.” Grim comes up behind me as I head for the exit.