Page 52 of False Comeback

“Corey, please,” I muttered, my shoulders hunching and wings tucking in tight with embarrassment.

“We’re a family, and I cannot just stand by and see two members of my Goliaths family mired in such—”

“Alright, fine,” Vince grated, cringing and shoving his hair back irritably. “Jesus. Fine.”

Corey turned his big green eyes on me and waited, hand still over his heart.

For fuck’s sake.

“Fine,” I got out at length, hands clenching repeatedly into fists.

Instantly, Corey stopped being weepy and gave us a beaming smile. “Wonderful!”

Vince huffed as he realised at the same moment I did that we’d both just been played by the orc.

“Let’s have our first session next week,” Corey was saying brightly, bending down to scoop up Cora, who’d reappeared at some point and had been panting merrily as she waited by his feet. “And until then, please, no squabbles in front of the new wrestlers. You’re both angels. Kisses!”

He turned and swept out of the room. I was tense and vibrating with something, I didn’t know what, as Vince turned to walk away. For the first time since last week, he looked me dead in the eyes, and I knew exactly what he was thinking without him saying a word.

This is all your fault. Again.

Chapter Seventeen

Meeting the New Goliaths

Crossbody

“Alright, folks.” Holt strode into the backstage area later that afternoon, Taylor just behind him. “The new talent will be here soon, so look sharp. Be on your best behaviour. That means no sneaking off to fuck in your dressing room, Gabe and Biff. Or hiding your head somewhere to scare them, Dan.”

The dullahan and Vince both snickered on the couch, where they were playing video games.

“Are there any questions before they arrive?” Holt asked, placing his hands on his hips as he looked around at us.

My only question was where he’d bought that peach silk blouse, but I kept it to myself as I faced forward on the treadmill again and concentrated on running.

“Do they have any experience?” Biff asked.

Holt raised a brow at him. “No more or less than any of you did when I found you. Unless someone out there set up another supernatural professional wrestling league while I wasn’t looking.” He paused and looked over at Taylor. “No one has, right?”

“No, honey. You’re good.”

“Lovely.” Holt turned back to us. “Anything else?”

“Will their debut matches be against each other or some of us?” Val asked.

“Some of you.” He huffed. “I know what I’m doing, Val. Jesus.”

“Alright.” She raised her hands placatingly, mouth twitching. “Just asking.”

“Who?” Heidi asked.

“I’m still deciding.”

Several people huffed, before Dan said, “You must have some idea, though.”

“Of course I do.” Holt smoothed back his hair. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna tell you yet.”

“What’s the Beast?” Kit called down from the ceiling.