Page 58 of Wicked Deceit
“Why is Carter staying?” I croak, peeling my eyes away from him. All I want to do is grab his arm, flip off his dad, and ride off into the sunset together. But we can't. Not yet. Carter still has to play this role, and I still have to be me.
“He has to take care of that. It’s a fragile situation, but we needed to move you, baby girl.” Zepp says, eyes looking all around us for any potential threats.
"I know," I sigh with disappointment.
As we step into the adjoining room, I catch my mother’s eye. She excuses herself from a couple she’s chatting with and walks toward us with her eyebrows raised. Suspicion lines her frowning face when she steps up in front of me, and examines my face.
“Sweet Pea,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “You okay?”
Don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious.My eyes widen as the song plays through my head, and I'm ten seconds away from singing out loud and definitely alerting my mom something is wrong. So instead, I go the safe route and shake my head. Yup, everything's fine here. Nothing to see here.
I swallow hard. “Just need some fresh air. I’m okay.” Smooth—I pat myself on the back. For once, I didn't blurt the real reason my heart is pounding against my chest and feels like it's about to fall out of my ass. But shit, judging by her tight smile, I don't think she believes me.
She raises a brow. “Are you leaving?” Her eyes dart to the boys when they conveniently look at the ceiling and avoid her gaze.
So, how the hell do I tell my mom? Like hey mom, I'm staying in a huge hotel room with my four massive boyfriends. We'll probably bone at least twice tonight and once tomorrow when the sun comes up. Yeah, that'll go over well. She already had to intervene when my dad had a mini stroke at the sight of them.
“Oh, so it’s like that?” She says in a playful tone, putting her hands on her hips. Great—explanation it is. Alright, I can do this.
“Mom, I…” she holds up a hand, silencing me. I snap my lips shut, eyeing her with my biggest puppy dog eyes. Silently I'm begging her to let this slide. And not to tell dad—that's the most important one. He'll force a chastity belt on me and lock me away in my room until I’m thirty-two.
“I never thought I’d have to worry about you in my life. But I trust you. You’re a grownup now, Kace. And you boys are loving, responsible men. If I hadn’t spent three days with you and seen how much you truly care about her, I’d put my foot down, but I’m not going to. I’m going to walk back to your father and distract him as you four do whatever you’re going to do. When should I expect to see you again?” She asks, taking a step back.
“Umm, I….. a few days?” I squeak out with uncertainty.
Who knows how long these boys will keep me? Could be four days or it could be two.
She blows out a breath. “Be good. Be responsible. And have fun. I love you,” she says, chugging down the rest of her drink.
“Love you, too,” I mumble, stepping in and hugging her. She stiffens and then wraps her arms around me in a loving hug, squeezing me tight.
“Now go before your father catches wind. He’s already threatened their balls,” she hisses, waving us along.
“Not the balls,” Chase yelps, putting a hand over his junk as we walk away from my mother as a group and head toward the main elevators. “Shit! Not the balls,” he murmurs again, further protecting his junk until we’re out of the room.
A fountain splashes water in the middle of the lobby entryway, echoing off the swanky marble walls. The front desk staff mills around, conducting traffic to the large ballroom. More elegant couples arrive by limos and escorts, wandering through the front doors.
“It’s the entire town,” I whisper as the doors close us into the mirrored elevator. Three sets of eyes burn through me. “They all—they all wear it like a prize. Whatever money they’re making from killing these kids… goes into their pockets. Did you see the coroner? He had gold teeth… diamonds everywhere….” I trail off, thinking about their overly expensive suits and plastic smiles.
“But how?” Chase asks, clutching onto my arm.
“How are they making it?” Zepp asks, rubbing at his chin.
“Fuck if I know. Can’t we just have one sane night? Like, is that too much to ask?” Seger waves his arms around, staring up at the ceiling.
“Did anyone else find that odd?” Chase asks, scrunching his adorable nose. “It’s like they were lining up to meet her.” His gray eyes, filled to the brim with concern, connect with mine.
“I think they were,” I whisper, curling into him. “Did you see the secret room? People were coming and going, and it had security outside of it. But before I could investigate, it was gone.” I shake my head, a pounding developing behind my watery eyes.
“Gone?” Zepp asks.
“Fucking secret room?” Seger barks out in outrage.
“Yeah, security had disappeared, and the lines vanished. The doors were closed, and the room behind it was dark. It’s like it never existed.” I swallow hard, cementing the room to memory. I will never forget the faces of the guards or the faces of the people walking into that room. Whoever they are and whatever they’re doing was terrible. I can feel it deep in my swirling gut.
We got off the elevator on the sixteenth floor with a collective sigh of relief. The boys place themselves around me, and we walk down the quiet hallway. The cushy carpet sinks beneath our footsteps, hiding our approach to the room at the end of the hall.
“Wow, Grumpy went all out.” Seger whistles under his breath, patting at his pockets for the key.
