Page 34 of Game of Hell
I walk over to the bed and crouch over her, the truth in one hand as I brush my free hand over her cheek. The soft skin is littered with faint freckles that you can only notice close up. I’ve remembered each one. Her breathing is faint and her eyes flutter at the feel of my skin against hers. Her eyes slowly peel open and her gaze lands on me, confused and exhausted.
This truth is mine and I'll decide how it kills her.
“I’ve found the last clue.” I whisper.
She looks at my hand that's holding the paper and her confusion settles deeper.
“That’s good.” Relief flashes in her eyes and I know it won’t be there long.
That grounding she’s thought she’s made for herself will disappear. I’m going to take it away with one sentence. The illusion of the man she thinks I am will be gone.
“That’s not all.” I let the words hang, creating a dangerous tension in the room. “I want you to read it.”
She stiffens and I place the note on her lap before giving her space again. “Why?”
Her hands shake as she picks up the clue and her eyes stay on me.
“Read. It.” I demand.
She breathes out and looks down at the old paper. Her eyes track the note first before furrowing.
“For Ronan, the truth is devastating and honestly pretty disturbing. You’ve rigged this room to be with a girl you’ve obsessed over for years. Now it’s time to confess your game.” She pauses after each sentence. Her eyes find mine and fear proudly stands between us, wafting off of her in waves.
“I don’t understand.” She shakes her head and places the note beside her.
I lean in close enough that our breaths combine into one.
“This room was made by me. This isn’t my first time meeting you, not even close.” She flinches as if my words have hurt her but I continue. “It was at a bar, right before you were kicked out of college. You were drunk, talking about this woman professor who gave you hell. You talked to me like you knew me, like you didn’t care that I looked unapproachable. You cried. You laughed. Consumed the whole room and me. Especially me. I walked you back to campus and ever since then you’ve haunted me.”
She shakes her head and her throat works as if she may say something but doesn’t.
“You crawled under my skin. I thought about you when I went to sleep and when I opened my eyes the next morning. I tried to leave you alone but I couldn’t. I stalked you for so long. Getting to know you and learning how you worked. When you left college, I left that town too. I followed you here and when I found out you were coming to Hallows Inn I knew it was my chance. I asked a friend to do a room specifically made for you and I. I already knew all your secrets before you told me them.”
I stop talking so she can understand my words. Her eyes never leave mine and fear stiffens her body. I can see her pulse beating in her throat and the way her hands grip the sheets as if they’ll steady her racing heart.
“I don’t remember that, Ronan. When?” She croaks.
“You wouldn’t remember such a rough day, Little Devil. You had told me your professor broke it off, that she groomed you. That you didn’t know if you were going to the board or not. It was three years ago.”
“And you’ve been stalking me since then?” She whispers, afraid to ask the question.
“Yes.” I don’t soften my words because that's not who I am. I let them blow straight through her.
“T–that’s not…normal.”
“Ordinary rules don’t apply to me, Little Devil. Ever since I was born I never considered myself normal but I’ve watched the way you let so many people hurt you. I’ve watched you smile at those classic books you read. I saw you cry yourself to sleep remembering that professor, who's dead by the way. I killed her the second she broke your heart.”
Her eyes widen and gloss over with tears. She brings a shaky hand up to cover her mouth to hide her trembling lips.
“But I’m not going to hurt you. I would never. I want you forever. I’d bleed before I ever let you feel pain.” My voice is strong with promise.
Curiosity flickers in her eyes along with something more carnal. I’m surprised she hasn’t run or stumbled out of bed with disgust. I lift my hand and softly trace it across her jaw, a silent warning. Her body naturally bends for me, leaning into my touch. Her eyes flicker and I place a knee on the bed to lean closer.
“I–I know this isn’t right. Damn, I’m so fucked up.” She goes back and forth talking to herself before her eyes meet mine again. “Forever? That’s what you want?”
My spine crawls because I know what she’s going to say before she does.
“Yes.” I don’t hesitate because I’ll give her the world if she asks.
