Page 88 of The Games We Play

I hate this idea. It feels like hot coals are rolling across my body, and nothing good will come of it or this. “This wasn’t the plan.”

“No, the plan was to be upstairs, where we knew what the fuck we were doing. Someone changed the plan, and we’re at a disadvantage. Stay in the shadows, stay undetected. Blend in, Puppet.” He kisses my lips, and something flicks across his eyes. It’s like worry but laden with sadness. “It’s just like at the party. Don’t get caught.”

I stare after him as he blends into the crowd. I have one job, find us a fucking way out. We were like minnows funneled into a trap and stuck on a one-way trip. With a last look at the back of X’s sandy blond hair, I keep to the edge of the crowd and follow a waiter with an empty tray in their hand.

Forty-Four - X

I often wondered if,right before you die, you know it’s happening. Does your body accept defeat the split second before your heart stops, or does the mind hope until the final synapses in your brain fire?

This room is heavy with death. Like it’s latched onto my back, and I can’t shake it. It feels different from when I’m the hunter. Death doesn’t touch me then; instead, it fills the air around me. Tonight, I’m prey, and I need to find my predator.

Getting Puppet as far away from me as possible was the only option. If I tried to explain it to her, she would have refused to leave my side. But above the killing, above the beast in my soul craving blood, we both crave someone more.

Her.

Everything revolves around Puppet now. And with my dying breath, I’ll keep her safe.

I refrain from looking back. If I spot her alone, I’ll talk myself out of what I’m about to do.

Frances is on the other side of the orchestra, laughing and chatting with his companions. I stand beside a group, slightly angled toward them so any onlookers would think I’m a part of it, merely bored with the conversation.

A lone figure shifts around a column with dark brown hair, head down, and hand in their suit jacket. I narrow my gaze as the figure walks closer to Frances.

I slowly step around the orchestra. The moment they fulfill their contract, they’re mine. For Lance. For Ryan, I’ll do this for them and for what Puppet has lost.

With each step, the killer gets closer, and I fall into step behind him. His hand shifts in his pocket, and I tense, ready for the shot. He walks right up to Frances, and I’m an arm’s length away from him. His hand whips out, and the crowd parts. I am ready for the grab, then…Frances lets out a boisterous laugh, and the man’s stance relaxes as he hands something to the scarred target.

I immediately turned to the side to show interest in the musical talents; my hands relaxed at my sides.

“I thought for sure he was the one. I mean, how obvious can you be walking like you’re carrying a secret?” a male voice says as he walks up beside me. I immediately look past the entertainers to search for Puppet.

“There’s a mighty price on your head and for the Wallace Princess.”

My hands clench into fists, and I turn, facing the threat head-on. I stare down a man with blocky glasses and a smirk. His face is cleanly shaved, and I have to angle my head to make eye contact with him.

“Easy, Xane. Before you try anything, why don’t you look over there?” He jerks his head to the left, and I look out of the corner of my eye.

My jaw immediately clenches, and all the air leaves my lungs. Anger, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, surges through my chest, and I want to fucking kill every person in this place for letting this happen.

Puppet stands with an arm pinned behind her back and a gun pressed to her temple. A waiter is her apprehender, and the realization that I sent her to the fucking kitchen for an exit has me nearly sick.

“She means nothing to me. Simply a means to an end,” I bite out, portraying annoyance at the inconvenience. “Let her go.”

“Nice try. I don’t think you’re in the position to make demands. November would like a word with you.”

A phone rings, and I keep my stare locked on Glasses.

“You should answer that,” Glasses says, pointing to my pocket. I pull out a phone that isn’t mine, and the word unknown flashes across the screen. “I could’ve killed you when I planted that earlier. She’s a distraction, and it’s cost you your life, Xane. How does it feel to know she’s the reason you got caught? The notorious Xane Collins, brought down by some good pussy.” He laughs, and the phone rings again.

“If you don’t answer, orders are to kill the princess.”

I don’t let my gaze flit to Puppet again, no matter how much I want to. I have to make the lie believable. I used her. She meant nothing to me. I put on a good show, and she fell for it. That’s it.

I hit accept and lift the phone to my ear.

“Nice of you to join us. I hear the party is wonderful.”

As if cued by some unknown order, the crowd disperses. The attendees leave through the kitchen, the door we entered through, and a hidden entrance I didn’t see behind a ceiling-to-floor picture.

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