Desperate Lies (Lies 2)

Everyone is eerily silent as Mr. Reyes speaks. There are a few people who seem unfazed—the ones who have been here before. Others are licking their lips in anticipation of what is about to happen. And still, others are jittery, shifting their weight in the spot where they stand or tapping their fingers or heels to try and get the nervous energy out.

I don’t have to glance at my family to know that they will all end up withdrawing by the end of the night unless they draw the names of their spouses. None of them are prudes, but I can’t imagine Enzo sitting by watching Kai getting fucked by some stranger here. Nor Zeke watching Siren. Nora may not be here, but I suspect Beckett won’t push things too far if he wants a chance with her. That means it’ll be up to me to remain in the game.

“What about security?” Maxwell asks.

“I assure you this yacht is completely secure, and my team is here to ensure no one gets hurt who doesn’t want to. You will be pushed to your limits if you remain in the game, but you will have a safe word to use at any time that will alert my team to get you out of here quickly and safely.

“Everyone here must participate in the game or go home. We don’t allow bystanders to just watch or protect. If you feel that you need to remain to protect someone in the game, then you must participate and advance.”

Maxwell frowns and almost kills the guy with one look.

I feel his pain. Maxwell won’t last the night, but I will. Tomorrow he won’t be here to protect Liesel.

“If there are no more questions, we will begin. Everyone’s name and safe words are already in this bowl. I will randomly draw two names at a time to match partners for the first round. Let the games begin.”

11

Liesel

I knew there was a chance that Langston would be here, but seeing him standing in a suit and black mask has my heart skipping beats so often that I?

?m afraid I’m going to flatline and die right here right now.

It was a risk I took coming here to earn my money back. My win was almost guaranteed if I was here alone, but having Langston in the game changes everything.

I can’t stop looking at him in his tux. His chiseled jaw, sharp eyes, and smooth hair would make it seem like he spends every weekend in a tux. In reality, he wears jeans and boots and kills people every day of the week. He’s not comfortable in a tux, in this wealthy, extravagant world. I need to remember that and try to use it to my advantage if I can.

Beat, my reckless heart. Beat hard and steady—I’m going to need every drop of blood and ounce of oxygen in my body to flow through me if I’m going to win.

What surprises me the most is seeing the rest of the gang all here, flanking Langston like he’s the leader instead of Enzo and Kai.

They had no idea what they just walked into. Their tense bodies and guarded expressions make it clear they want to be anywhere but here.

I smirk, raising my champagne glass meant to make me look girly and feminine instead of the scotch I really want. Adding them to the game will make it easier to win if I’m matched with one of them. None of them will be able to withstand watching their partner get fucked.

No, the only threat to me is Langston—for so many fucking reasons.

Maxwell leans over to whisper in my ear. “I’ll try to stay in as long as I can. I promise I’ll at least make it to tomorrow.”

I tilt my head up at him. “Don’t worry about protecting me. I can protect myself here. Stay if you want to stay, but don’t do anything that will wreck your soul for my sake.”

I said the wrong thing. Maxwell’s face morphs into a horrified expression. He’s beyond worried.

I laugh. “Just fuck some women if you want to, Max, but don’t do it on my account.” I pat his chest, trying to calm him, but his heart is beating wildly out of control.

He clears his throat and exhales.

Poor, Max. I doubt he lasts the first round.

A woman brings a large glass bowl out, while a man brings a small table. The table is positioned, and the woman sets the bowl down upon it.

“Round one is a partner game. I’ll draw two names who will be competing against each other and the clock. There will also be your individual safe word on the paper as I draw them. Memorize this safe word. If you mutter it, you are withdrawing from the game. Your challenge will immediately stop, and you’ll be escorted out. Round one will take place here on the upper deck as there is the most amount of room.”

Mr. Reyes tries a comforting smile on his face as he scans the crowd.

“Let’s begin.” He reaches into the glass bowl and pulls out a name.

“Ms. Laine,” he says the name of Laila Salo, an actress using a fake name.