“Shanks snickered with delight. “It’s the end result that matters, doll. Only the victor walks away with his head intact. Every soldier on this ship knows that as well.”

Eena glared hard at the smirking giant. “Oh, and one more thing. Kira really hates you.”

Shanks broke out in such a fit of laughter that even Kode found it contagious. Niki smacked her boyfriend on the back of the head for being insensitive.

(Kira did not say that,) Ian groaned critically.

(So what? It’s true,) Eena grumbled. (I hate him too.)

(I don’t know why you let the guy get under your skin. Who cares what he thinks? You have nothing to prove to him.)

Eena glared harder at the laughing Viidun as she thought about what bothered her most. It was the way Shanks acted, as if he considered himself superior to everyone. The thug was always bossing people around, snubbing their opinions, surpassing others at even the most trivial accomplishments. But the worst thing was that he honestly saw himself as invincible.

(The guy is full of himself, so what? Just let it roll off your back.)

If only simple advice were as simple to carry out.”