Page 87 of Wicked Games

I’m distracted as I take my shower, and it isn’t until I’m pulling my jeans back on that I see I have a text from Nico.

Nico: second shift

Killian: understood

I open my group text with my cousins.

Killian: what shift are you on?

Their answers come one after the other.

Jace: 1st

Jax: first

Xave: 3

After what happened at the house last night, Nico informed us that everyone who was in the know about the breach would have to do security shifts during the party tonight.

I was supposed to be on the first shift with the twins, but it looks like I’ve been bumped to the second. Whatever. It’s not that big a deal. It just means that instead of spending the firsthour of the party doing security rounds and making sure people are following the rules, I’m now going to be doing that during the second hour.

That also means I have to stay sober until after my shift is over, but considering the party goes all night, that’s also not a big deal.

Between the breach last night, trying to figure out who’s after Felix, and all the shit with Natalie, I’m really not in a party mood. Usually this would be the perfect excuse to get as fucked up as possible and forget all about my troubles while indulging in some of my many desires. Tonight it feels more like a chore than an escape, and that takes all the fun out of it.

Felix is still in the same spot I left him when I come out of the bathroom, and a strange warmth fills my belly at his obedience. My eyes fall to the mess of hickeys and visible bite marks on his neck. He looks good with my marks. Too good.

I tear my eyes from his throat and stalk over to my side of the room. “Did you shower?”

“No.”

“Do you have everything you need?” I toss my phone on the bed and pull off the towel I wrapped around my waist.

He doesn’t look away, but the usual heat and appreciation I’ve gotten used to seeing aren’t there as he traces his gaze over my naked body. “Yeah.”

I don’t like the irritation I feel at his lack of interest, and that only sours my already bad mood.

Felix is silent as I pull on my clothes and slip my feet into a pair of white sneakers.

“I thought phones were forbidden?” he asks when I slip my phone into my pocket.

“They are for everyone else.” I go to my closet to get my mask.

He stays quiet as I retrieve it and close the doors.

“I have to go,” I say when the silence between us stretches.

“Okay.” His tone is dismissive, but the two spots of soft pink painting his cheekbones give away that he’s not as uninterested as he seems.

“Don’t even think of leaving this room until I come back.” I pin him with a look.

“Fine.”

I don’t like that answer, but I let it go. I have enough crap on my plate right now. I’ll deal with him and his mood later. As long as I know he’s safe in our room, I’ll be able to focus enough to do my damn job, and that’s all that matters right now.

“The party starts in an hour,” I tell him, not sure why I’m still talking. “But I have to go supervise the setup and make sure things are on schedule.”

He doesn’t say anything, and I have the insane urge to walk over and shake him. To demand he stop hiding from me.

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