Page 9 of Deadly Little Games

Gavin’s beady, dark eyes lingering over my body. The threats. The worry when Alec pulled out all that money.Fuck this shit. I quickly sit up, grab my phone out of my pocket, and pull up a text to Kai.

You busy? Can’t sleep.

Within five minutes, there’s a light knock on my window. I smile, pulling open my curtain, then window, to find my partner in crime Kai. He’s dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, and beanie, blending into the dark streets.

“Good timing. I was just walking home. Are we hitting up another party or did you have something else in mind?” Kai asks, taking my hand and hoisting me out into the crisp night air. My feet hit the ground and Kai pulls my window shut before wrapping an arm over my shoulder. I lean into him, absorbing his warmth.

“No more parties. I have to blow off some steam or my head’s gonna explode,” I say, lifting my hood up.

“You good?” he asks.

“No, but I will be,” I reply, and Kai doesn’t answer, just squeezes my shoulder. He gets it, he gets me, and that’s why he’s one of my best friends.

We’ve known each other since we were kids—met at the basketball courts, and never left each other’s side. Everyone always presumed we were together, but it’s not like that with us. He’s like a brother to me. We kissed once when we were teenagers, but soon realized that it just wasn’t right.

Moving silently, we make our way through the dark lanes of the trailer park, passing a couple of locals who perk up and mouth off. Once they realize who Kai is, they quickly shut down, offering him their respect. They know better than to start something with him. He doesn’t just look scary with his big build, but he’s part of the 18 Hood gang.

We hit the courts. As we approach the abandoned high-rise community center, the sound of kids laughing and the thud of a ball hitting the pavement grows louder. When Ireach for the ladder to the fire escape on the left-hand side of the building, Kai grips my waist and lifts me effortlessly. I quickly grasp the railing, the metal cold beneath my fingers as I start climbing. Release—I am free at last. The higher we get, the more I can breathe properly. With each step toward the top of the ladder, my heart beats faster, creating a rhythmic thumping in my ears.

Kai follows closely behind me. I peer down, grinning, and he laughs. The ladder abruptly stops, and a surge of anticipation tightens my chest, preparing me for the climb ahead. The part I love the most.

Grabbing hold of the jagged bricks, their sharp edges dig into my palms as I begin to climb. I’ve done this countless times, my feet and hands effortlessly navigating the holes until I reach the top. Hanging onto the ledge, I can’t help but notice the rush of wind against my face as I contemplate the consequences of letting go. How my body would feel floating, thenbam. Splat. I never would jump, but it’s the thought that keeps me alive. The ringing in my ears, the light-headedness. Fuck yes, I need this.

Sweat drips down my palms. My hand slips.

Chapter Three

Freya

From somewhere below me, Kai’s curses echo, but I block them out, concentrating on my tight grip on the edge of the building and avoiding glancing down at the daunting ten-story plunge. My gaze snaps to the hard cement basketball courts and a whole heap of pain. I try to focus on pulling myself back up, but it’s useless—I don’t have enough strength with one arm. A strong hand forcefully pushes against my ass, propelling me forward with enough force to grasp onto the ledge and pull myself up with a desperate scramble.

I roll onto my back on the rooftop, the sound of my laughter filling the air.

“What the fuck, Frey? That was way too close of a call. Even for you,” Kai growls, standing over me. I take his outstretched hand, rubbing off the dirt on my ass as I’m lifted to my feet.

“It’s been a night,” I say, following him to the edge and taking a seat. Looking out into our neighborhood, my legs dangle and I lean back on my hands. There are a few small fires scattered throughout the trailer park, with peopletalking amongst themselves and drinking. Typical Friday night.

“You’re telling me. Shit’s been popping off on the streets tonight. There was a huge brawl between Daringhood and the cops. We weren’t even there, but you know as well as I do, we will get the blame.” Kai sighs, pulling out a joint from behind his ear.

He’s not wrong. Being part of 18 Hood, the rap group, doesn’t do him any favors with the force. Half the time they aren’t involved; they just rap about what’s happening on the streets.

“That’s bullshit. You know how to get your revenge—through your words,” I say.

“How was the party down at the pit?” Kai asks, changing the subject.

For the next few hours, I fill him in on what happened tonight while he smokes his joint and we watch Tony stumble around, picking fights with anyone he can find. By the time Kai drops me back at my trailer, the sun is rising, casting a warm golden glow across the park, and I curse. I’ve got work in a couple of hours and it’s going to be hell. But at least I’ve had my adrenaline high, and this time, when my head hits the pillow, I fall into a deep and restful sleep.

The air is filled with the scent of cleaning chemicals, while sweat drips down my forehead and my arms ache with each movement of the mop. Each hour has felt like an eternity as I anxiously await the moment when I can finally say I’m finished. Reluctantly, I accepted a double shift from seven in the morning until ten at night, and now I’m starting to regret it as exhaustion seeps into my bones.

The only thing pushing me forward is the realization of how crucial this money is for us—especially for Alec. He deserves to collect his scholarship at college and get the fuck out of this place, and I know he won’t leave unless I can come with him. No one but us knows about our plan, not even my two best friends, Kai and Amirah. It’s easier that way because whenever you have something good going for you in Daringhood, there’s always someone lurking in the shadows, ready to snatch it away.

Eager to check my messages, I reach into my apron pocket and retrieve my phone, feeling its familiar weight in my hand. None of the messages I’ve sent to Alec have been read, which is quite disappointing. Where the hell is he? He’s meant to be working in the kitchen with the other cook, but he didn’t show up, which is totally out of character. He knows how much we need this.

The echoing sound of the doorbell fills the empty diner. I leave the restroom and enter the diner, ready to announce that we’re closing, but I quickly close my mouth instead. Lucas Fox confidently strolls in, giving off the impression that he is the rightful owner of the place, and chances are, he is. He’s wearing casual, loose-fitting cargo pants and a black polo shirt that strains against his muscles. Underneath his flipped-back black hat, his light-blond hair is neatly slicked back. Swallowing hard, I find my voice as I grip the mop tightly.

“We’re closing,” I say, dunking the mop in the water.

Lucas pays no attention to me as he keeps moving, finally settling into the booth that’s snugly nestled against the smudged windows, providing a view of the parking lot. With a roll of my eyes, I continue to clean the floor while deliberately avoiding eye contact with him.

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