Page 56 of The Games We Play

Unbuttoning my suit jacket, I slide it off my shoulder and hiss at the bullet hole two inches higher than my heart. Sweat rolls down my spine, and I rack through my options.

Scott is smart, and he fights dirty. Smarter than I gave him credit for. He knew I was on to him. Hell, he probably planted that intel just to lure me here.

Another bullet shatters the glass of a picture frame hanging beside the door, and I sigh in annoyance.

I’m bleeding. It fucking hurts, and I have to get out of here before Scott comes to confirm my termination.

Twenty-Nine - Tess

I dig around inmy pocket for my key as I approach my front door. My body hums with a sense of calm and peace. I’m so ready to get out of these clothes, burn them, and take a nice refreshing shower.

I wonder if X will show up tonight? How will he react to my little game from earlier?

I push the door open all the way and take one step inside. I prepare myself for Roxy’s onslaught of wet tongue licks and happy dances to see me. But she doesn’t come to the door.

“Roxy?” I shout through my quiet house.

Whining and scratching come from inside, and I close my door and kick off my shoes. “Did you get yourself locked in the bathroom again?” Every once in a while, she’ll close the bathroom door and have herself locked in there while I’m gone. I try to keep them propped open to prevent that from happening, but I must have forgotten.

I make my way toward the bathroom, only to find the door open.

“Rox?”

She whines again and scratches.

I rush back into the living room and grab the basement door. The one I keep locked at all times. Her desperate attempts to escape come from the other side, and I turn the handle. She races out of the tiny crack, hunkered down like she’s scared.

What the hell? How did she get in there?

Roxy shakes, and I crouch to run my hands over her, checking for injuries. She’s shaking, and I try to soothe her while checking the house. X wouldn’t have locked her in the basement…would he?

Everything is exactly how I left it.

“X?” I say into the vacant space, my voice sounding way too loud.

Cold sweat slicks my skin at the thought of someone besides X being in my house. Am I a complete idiot for walking in here nonchalantly?

Of course, you fucking were, I internally scold.

“Oh yeah, now the voice of reason shows up.”

Roxy looks at me and angles her head to the side.

“Yeah, I know. I’m talking to myself,” I whisper.

Footsteps sound from the stairs, and I pull the knife from my boot, waiting for the basement door to open and reveal the person who broke into my house.

“Tess,” a deep male voice says from beside me, and I whirl, nearly tripping over my feet. A man dressed in a fancy-looking suit, complete with dress shoes, stands at the bottom of the stairs that lead to my bedroom. He has a salted black beard and slicked-back hair to match. Tattoos decorate the tops of his hands, and a shiny, expensive watch adorns one wrist.

When my gaze lands on his eyes, my world shifts.

His eyes—my eyes—stare back at me.

“Dad?” I squeak, feeling unsteady on my feet. “What are you doing here?”

He sighs and adjusts the sleeves of his jacket, and sucks on his teeth. “We have things we need to discuss, Pumpkin.”

His nickname for me nearly has me bursting into tears. I should run to him. Hug him. Say, I’m glad to see him…something. But I don’t. Because deep in my gut, this feels wrong.

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