“I am not scared.” My eyes felt huge behind my visor as I searched the woods. “But out of intellectual curiosity … does it hurt?”

“It stings.” Rhys grinned at me. “Don’t worry, Tink, I got your back.”

That’s when I realized I wasn’t worried. I, one hundred percent, believed Rhys could kick everybody’s butt and cover mine at the same time. A lurid image filled my mind suddenly and felt my cheeks heat. Dear God, we should have never kissed at his loft.

“I’d give a million bucks to know what’s behind that blush, sweetheart.”

Scowling at his cocky grin, I gestured with my paintball gun. “You just concentrate on leading us to victory, Morgan, and if you happen to use up all your paint on Creepy Pete, I won’t be upset.”

He shook his head, amusement curling the corners of his mouth. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

We ran from tree to tree for ages before Rhys drew to a halt. He lifted his fist up like they did in the army. A flutter of excitement filled my belly as he crouched down behind a large trunk and signaled me to hide behind him.

“Clearing ahead with a bunker,” he whispered. “Most obvious place to hide the flag because you can protect it.”

“Jackson wouldn’t go for obvious.”

Rhys nodded. “Still, let’s be cautious. It’s a good place to play sniper.”

Our walkie-talkies crackled, and Ben’s static-filled voice informed us where he’d hid the flag. We scrambled to turn them off, and I cut Rhys a sardonic look. “I’ve found a drawback to the walkie-talkies.”

Smirking, he peered around the tree, the line of his shoulders tense. It was ridiculous how hot his competitiveness was making me. I’d never thought of myself as a competitive person, but I really wanted to wipe that smug smile off Creepy Pete’s face by winning with Rhys.

After a few seconds, Rhys looked over his shoulder at me. “There are two man-made mounds acting as a barrier against possible sniper activity from the bunker, but they’re on opposite sides of the clearing. It makes more sense for us each to take a barrier, but if you want to stick with me, we can do that.”

I straightened my shoulders. “I am perfectly capable of independent combat.”

His lips twitched. “You got it, Tink. I’ll take west.” He gestured with two fingers. “You take east. On three …”