Page 40 of Hate Game

RUE

“Malice, what are you doing here?” I untangle out of Isaac’s arms.

“I’d ask the same of you.” He rests against the doorjamb with his arms crossed, looking mouthwatering in loose blue jeans and a black hoodie that stretches across his broad chest. “What’s she doing here, Isaac?” He jerks his head at me.

I turn to Isaac. “You two know one another?” How come he never told me he’s on a first-name basis with Malice Sterling? “Why is he here? Did he make contact, or did you?”

My tone is accusatory. Isaac is always looking for fighters who will bring in larger crowds and more money.

Isaac flips a switch. One moment, he’s my nice and protective half-brother, and the next, he’s a closed-off jerk.

“It’s none of your business.” He gets off the bed. At the door, he gestures for me to leave.

“I won’t until you give me your word he stays out of your business.”

“Not my call to make. He’s his own man. Now, go wait with the guys.” His tone is quiet and lethal. I climb off the bed and skulk past him and Malice, hurt that Isaac chose his business over my ask.

“Don’t leave without me,” Malice warns as I walk by. He is giving me a wide berth. The ache in my chest deepens. When we’re alone, I’m good enough to touch and kiss, but when we’re around others, I’m nothing but someone to boss around?

I toss my hair over my shoulder. “You’re not the boss of me.” Give Malice an inch, and he’ll think it’s within his rights to bulldoze over me.

He grabs my arm. “I saidwaitfor me.”

I yank my arm out of his hold. “‘Don’t leave’ and ‘wait for me’ should include the word please.”

“Rue.”

Isaac watches the exchange with a smirk on his face. “One of these days, some dude’s gonna spank the attitude out of you if you’re not careful.”

“I’d like to see him try.” Glowering at them, I walk away and sit between Colton and Johnny on the couch. The bedroom door slams shut behind me.

Colton and Johnny stare at the television and watch their boxing match as though a six-foot-two moody beast hadn’t walked past them. The other guys are gone, probably out on a beer run.

“Why didn’t you guys stop him from barging in on me and Isaac?” I glare sideways at them.

“Have you seen the size of the bitch, bruh?” Colton takes a large chug of his beer.

“Is he fighting?”

“You know better than to stick your nose in Isaac’s business.” Johnny flicks his gaze to me before returning his attention to the match.

“I’m asking for a friend.”

“Nice try, Rue.” Colton rises from the couch and heads out the sliding glass door. I peer over my shoulder. He is outside vaping.

He catches me staring and points at the vape pen. I shake my head. I wait for Malice on the couch, knees to my chest and chin on the top of my knees. Sunlight streams through the windows and hits my promise ring just right so that it glitters.

The ring is a reminder of my promise to a certain someone to guard my heart until the right guy comes along. How will I know who the right guy is? I had asked. It was right after Malice broke my heart and our hatefest started.

“When he sticks by your side and has your back no matter how deep in the shit you stand and how much he stands to lose.”

I sigh. Wise words from a guy who sucks in the relationship department. Isaac’s bedroom door opens. Malice walks out, followed by my brother.

Neither looks happy. What did they discuss?

“What did you two talk about?”

Isaac glares at me. “Guess?”

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