Page 21 of Deadly Little Games

“Yeah?” I reply. Another whip of wind hits me, and my arms begin to shake. I clutch my hands around my shoulders.

“You owe me for that,” he says, then laughs.

I flip him off over my shoulder and can’t help the smile that forms on my lips. There’s no way this will ever happen again, so he’ll be waiting for the rest of his life. I won’t get caught up with a guy from Daringville, let alone one of them. This was just a bit of fun, nothing more. Alec and I are leaving soon, and nothing will hold me back from giving our family the life they deserve. A fresh start.

The sand bites between my toes as I make my way along the beach, and my body begins to shake. A shiver dances up my spine and not from the cold. A twig snaps from the trees that lie ahead in front of the cliff, and I swear I see a figure there. Oh shit. Lucas is too far away to save me this time.

What have I done?

Chapter Ten

Freya

As I look around into the dark night, the trees sway back and forth, creating an eerie atmosphere that fills me with unease.

I haven’t been down here in years. I fight back all the memories that threaten to play in my mind. Memories I’ve locked up deep within me, then thrown away the key. Nothing good ever came from living here. Only bad.

I move toward the wooden stairs that lead back up the cliff to Lucas’s place, watching every shadow that dances around me. A towel, and a black hoodie sit on the bottom step, and I freeze. I look around frantically, but no one’s there. Lucas is slowly making his way along the shore, watching my every move.

I quickly grab the towel, dry myself off, and throw the sweatshirt over my head. It falls above my knees, and Gage’s signature sandalwood and spicy scent overwhelms me. He left this here for me. Why? He hates me and I hate him. This makes no sense.

Lucas comes up behind me, taking the towel from around my neck, and he starts drying himself off, removinghis wet shirt in the process. I try to avert my eyes from his naked chest, but it’s near impossible. I need to get out of here before my body decides to take over again.

I bound up the stairs, taking them two at a time, eager to reach the top of the cliff.

“See you around, little thorn,” Lucas yells, and I flip him off again over my shoulder.

Gripping the handrail tightly, I struggle to regain my breath at the top, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The house seems alive with the constant ebb and flow of people, accompanied by the echoing melodies of music.

With the hood pulled over my head, I keep my gaze lowered as I make my way to the cliff edge, searching for where I dropped my phone. I pick it up and find my brother’s number. My fingers tremble as I press dial and silently pray that he’s still around to give me a ride home. With each ring, hope rises, only to be dashed as the call is sent to voicemail. Fuck. I’ve got a couple of missed calls from Amirah, along with texts asking if I’m okay. I quickly type back telling her I just jumped off the cliff and ask if I can borrow her car or get a lift from one of their drivers.

My phone vibrates in my hand.

Thank fuck you are okay. You scare the shit out of me when you get all weird and do reckless shit. Richard is waiting—the black Rolls Royce. Text me when you get home x

I reply, thanking her, and make my way over to the front of the mansion, keeping my head down to avoid making eye contact with anyone. Spotting the car waiting for me, I hurry to it and eagerly climb in, settling back into the plush passenger seat.

Resting my head against the door, I struggle to keep my eyes open, fighting off sleep. Even though Itrust Richard and have known him pretty much my whole life, I need to stay awake. Be alert. I’ll never drop my guard again because when you do, people take advantage of it.

“Just drop me at the tracks please, Richard,” I say with a yawn, and he nods.

Richard pulls up shortly after, and I take a moment to thank him before getting out. The asphalt bites into my feet and I grit my teeth. While I walk away from the car and into the cool night, the outpost house is engulfed in headlights, almost blinding me, but providing light for the path over the tracks. Four guards stand directly in front of me. I flip back my hoodie and one of them steps forward, eyeing me up and down.

“What are you doing on this side of the tracks?” one of the guards says, moving closer, and I fight the urge to punch that smug look off his face. I’m tired and I just want to sleep.

I sidestep him, ready to sprint over the tracks, but he blocks my path again. “I’ll make this easy for you, since you clearly need help. You move, and I go back over there to my side of the tracks. Simple, right?” I smirk, placing a hand on my hip.

He laughs, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “If you want to go over there so badly, get on your knees, baby, and show me how much you worship elite cock.” He grins, cupping his dick through his pants, and I roll my eyes. I’m so done with this fucking asshole. It’s been a hell of a night, and all I want to do is roll into bed and sleep for days.

I start walking, barging past the guard whose mouth needs washing out with gasoline. I get a couple of steps over the tracks before a hand grips my arm, pulling me to a stop.

“Get the fuck down on your knees. Now,” he growls.

All the humor from before is gone, and I swallow hard.Sweat drips down my back. He could kill me, but not without their approval. I fall to my knees.

Tires screech to a stop from somewhere behind us, a car door slams, then a gunshot rings through the night. The guard drops his hand as he stumbles backward, checking himself for injuries. I look around, my knees digging into the road.

The headlights from the car blind me. Lucas storms over, gun in hand, aiming it at the guard. His lips curl back and he looks me over, his eyes softening for a second before hardening again. The guard’s arms are shaking, and I feel sorry for him for a split second before I remember what he did to me.

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