Page 16 of Deadly Little Games

Gage and Lucas can play whatever games they want, but I just want to find my brother and get back over to our side of the tracks. The streets may not seem safe, but they’re still safer than being here. Money equals power, and being around The Brotherhood means he’s not far away. I never want to see Gage again.

I slam Lucas’s door shut with Gage inside, leaving them to sort out whatever they need to. In the quiet hallway, I secure the mask over my face, concealing my identity, and cautiously descend the stairs toward the music that will lead me to the ball and my brother.

I squeal when someone grabs my shoulder and I spin around, grabbing a slender throat. Amirah’s eyes widen, and I quickly let go, stepping off the last stair.

“What the hell?” I snap, and Amirah takes in a few deep breaths.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?”

“Sorry, you know better than to sneak up on me. I’m here to find my brother. Apparently, he’s here. Have you seen him?”

Amirah hooks her arm with mine, and we make our way through the foyer, heading to the open-plan kitchen that has an incredible view of the massive garden. In every direction I turn, my eyes are met with a sea of people adorned in glamorous outfits and mysterious masks, gracefully sipping from their champagne-filled glasses. I don’t recognize anyone.

“I saw him earlier with Hazen and was going to message you, but didn’t want you freaking out,” Amirah says, grabbing two glasses from a waiter. She passes one to me. I finish the drink in one gulp. He’s with Hazen? That’s more important than work and walking me home? That’s so not like him. I have to find him.

“Where is he now?” I ask, glancing around the room, but I can’t see him.

“No idea. Let’s go look.” Amirah takes my hand, the sounds of chatter and footsteps surrounding us as she leads us deeper into the sea of people. They watch our every move, probably because they know who Amirah is. A shiver runs up my spine as I feel the weight of their gazes on me. A wave of anxiety washes over me, making me want to bolt out the front door. But I won’t.

The parties at Daringhood are so different from the ones they hold here. We hang around a fire pit with deafening hip-hop and techno music. Wearing short skirts and crop tops and drinking wine straight out of a cask. Here they show up in expensive dresses, snort cocaine, and drink from crystal glasses. And to think I came from here. Nope, not going there tonight.

Overlooking the expansive lap pool is a DJ setup, with afew people dancing while the rest form circles, engaging in conversations. A few girls approach Amirah, but I completely ignore them as I search everywhere for a glimpse of my brother or Hazen. I pick up my phone and dial his number once more, but it goes directly to voicemail, just like the countless times earlier tonight. Fuck.

Regret fills my stomach, churning like a storm as I realize I should have asked if he was okay last night. I’m probably overreacting and everything will be fine, but I won’t stop until I find him. Then he’s going to hear about it for the rest of the week—or year.

I feel a sudden weight on my shoulder as a hand touches me, and I freeze. Cautiously, I lift my gaze and meet a pair of light-brown eyes staring directly into mine. Lucas’s touch sends a shiver down my spine, causing goosebumps to ripple across my arm, tempting me to continue what we began in his bedroom. The other part of me wants to push him away.

His lips softly brush against the sensitive spot below my ear, creating an electrifying sensation.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t bend you over one of the tables and finish what we started, little thorn?”

I take a deep breath, refusing to let his mind games affect me. He’s a distraction, and no matter how much my body wants the release, I won’t give in.

I purse my lips and confidently place my hand on his chest, exerting a slight force that moves him back a step, and his eyes lock on mine. A smile touches my lips. “Because you and I both know you won’t be able to handle me.”

His eyes sparkle. “Want to test that theory?”

“Elite cock doesn’t do it for me. I’d rather be with a hood rat. They know how to fuck harder,” I say with a grin. His silent stance is accompanied by a glimmer in his eyes,and he opens his mouth, but I abruptly thrust my empty glass into his chest and slip into the surrounding crowd.

For the next hour, I search high and low, desperately scanning every corner for any sign of my brother or Hazen. I even talk to a few of the elite, ones with their lipstick not quite perfect, their dresses designer but not couture, and ask them if they’ve seen my brother—but no luck.

Gripping my glass, I take another sip of wine. Hazen’s short, neatly styled hair catches my eye as he swiftly grabs a bite to eat from a passing waiter and seamlessly fades into the bustling crowd inside the house. Finishing off my drink, I hand it to the waiter before following him.

People close in around me and my heart rate rises with every step. I can’t breathe, but I won’t stop. I’ve spent the entire night tirelessly searching for my brother. I’m done with this place, and I just want to go home.

Moving with a purpose, Hazen bounds up the stairs, confidently taking them two at a time. He’s the last person who saw Alec—maybe he’ll tell me where he is. Intent on keeping up, I begin to follow, only for a large hand to grip my arm tightly, preventing me from proceeding. I pivot around, launching a punch, but he deftly ducks, narrowly avoiding my strike. In the next heartbeat, Gage swiftly pins me to the hallway wall, our bodies hidden from potential onlookers.

I try to resist his hold, but his mossy-green eyes, reminiscent of a lush forest, hold me hostage.

“Let go of me now or I swear to God I’ll...” I say, my voice rising with each word, and he just smirks. God, I hate him. Every second I waste here, Hazen is moving further away.

“You’ll what? I don’t think you’ve got it in you,” he says, leaning further into me. His body presses firmly againstmine, and the hard plains of his chest tempt me to run my fingers over them.

I take a deep breath. If he wants to play, then I’ll play. With a subtle tilt of my mouth, I surge my hips forward, savoring the exhilarating feeling of his cock pressing against my belly.

Our lips touch, starting off slow, then he intensifies the kiss. I tangle my fingers in his curly black hair, pulling his head back a little, and he lets out a deep growl that goes straight to my core. It takes me a second to remember why I kissed him in the first place.

I draw back, biting down hard into his lip until I taste the metallic tang of blood on my tongue. He takes a step back, creating just enough distance for me to place my hands on his chest and give him a firm push. With a stumble, he swipes his finger across his bottom lip, collecting the blood. The look in his eyes instantly changes, turning dark.

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