Page 33 of Deadly Little Games

“I’m not going to have to follow you in there again, amI?” Lucas asks, then Iaughs despite all the shit that’s happened tonight.

“No, but I do need to find a way to let go of all this pent-up frustration,” I say, mesmerized by the relentless crash of waves against the cliff. The water is sparkling with the bright reflection of the full moon.

“I’ve got some pretty good ideas on how you can release,” Lucas says, wrapping me under his arm. Despite my urge to shove him off, being in his arms provides an unexpected sense of comfort, preventing me from leaping into the icy depths of the ocean.

“Don’t you think we have more important things to talk about?” Gage snaps from somewhere behind us, and I straighten my shoulders, shrugging out of Lucas’s embrace. Turning around, I start walking toward the house and barge into Gage’s shoulder on my way past.

“Let’s do it then,” I growl.

One of his maids opens the door for me, and it’s way quieter than the last time I was here for the grand ball, which feels like forever ago. The night that kicked off this crap. This mess could’ve been avoided if Alec didn’t get caught up with them.

Getting out my phone, I fire off a message to Alec mentioning the money I now have to come up with if he doesn’t show his face, hoping he sees it. He will come back now that he knows the shit I’m in. He wouldn’t leave me to pick up the pieces. It’s just not like him. If I don’t hear from him soon, I’m left with no choice but to go to Bexley and find him.

I gaze at the unfamiliar number, puzzled by the cryptic messages it holds. I attempt to reply for the second time, only to have the message bounce back. Fuck.

I text Kai, asking again to let me know straight away ifhe sees Alec. My phone vibrates in my hand, and I anticipate Kai’s message, but it turns out to be the unknown number.

Your brother is in deep. Will he return in a heap?

Gripping the phone tightly, a tremble runs through me as I stare at the screen. In a swift motion, Lucas passes by and grabs it from my hand.

“Hey,” I snap, trying to grab it back, but Lucas keeps it just out of my reach.

“Who are these messages from?” Frowning, he looks back and forth between the phone and me.

“I have no fucking idea. The number is unknown, just give it back. I’ll deal with it.”

Lucas huffs. “The fuck you will. I’ll have a tech guy look into this for you.” He fumbles around with my phone before passing it back.

“Thanks,” I mumble, barely audible as Lucas strides ahead. I trail behind him, passing through a spacious kitchen and dining area. He stops in the open living area with a long bar that overlooks the ocean below through glass windows.

“What’s your poison, little thorn?” Lucas asks, moving behind the bar.

Leaning my elbows on the wooden ledge, I gaze at the array of expensive bottles of liquor.

“Whatever one is the most expensive. I’ll have that bottle,” I say, and the corner of Lucas’s mouth lifts.

“Coming right up.”

Gage takes a scotch bottle and divides it into two glasses. He hands one over to Hazen, who hasn’t spoken since being in his dad’s office.

Lucas passes me a bottle and a glass with ice in it. I plop down on the couch and pour myself a drink. Hazen takes aseat on the couch beside mine, while Lucas tumbles down next to me. Gage stays standing, leaning back against the bar.

“Do any of you have fifty grand cash sitting around?” I ask, knocking back my drink and pouring another one.

“Of course we do, but if it comes from our bank accounts he will know,” Gage says.

“Next question then. How in the fuck do I come up with that kind of money in forty-eight hours?” I say, checking my phone. “Make that forty-six hours.”

“There are a few ways, but you’re not going to like any of them,” Lucas says, placing a hand on my knee, and I don’t brush it off.

“The easiest way is to tell us where your brother is and hand him over,” Hazen grits out, finally breaking his silence.

Gripping the edge of the couch, I sit up straighter and glare straight at Hazen.

“For one, I have no fucking idea where he is or I wouldn’t be here, and secondly, the reason he’s in this mess is because of you,” I snap, and a pained look crosses Hazen’s features for a brief second before it’s gone again.

“Your brother chose to work for us, so that’s on him,” Hazen says, and I hate to admit he’s right. My brother did choose this, and now I’m here in this mess.

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