Ruthless Games

Sebastian gives a careless shrug. He’s wearing a designer suit, dark hair falling over ice blue eyes, and everything about him screams sophistication. He couldn’t be more different to Nero’s brutal, rough demeanor, except the two of them both carry the same aura of danger.

They’re men not to be fucked with.

“I got bored,” Sebastian replies. “Besides, I heard you were in a little hot water. Seems like you’re getting a taste of your own medicine. I was curious to see how you’d fare.”

“Just fine,” Nero answers gruffly. “As you can see.”

“In that case, why don’t you stop by one of my card games sometime?” Sebastian asks. “It’s a pricy buy-in, but I’m sure a man with your resources can find a way.”

“Gamble with liars and cheats? I don’t think so.” Nero shoots back.

Sebastian looks amused. “Now, that’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as my mother would say. Consider it an open invitation, if you can take the heat.” With another smirk in my direction, he saunters off.

“I don’t like that guy,” I say, scowling after him.

“You and me, both.” Nero says. He looks around, restless. “You know what? It’s time to bail. I need to get you home and naked.”

“And on my knees,” I remind him, flirty. He smiles again.

“Oh, I remember, baby. Hold tight, I’ll be right back.” He heads off towards the restrooms in back, and I sip my drink, waiting. Maybe one day Nero will open up and tell me about his history with Sebastian Wolfe—because clearly, there’s bad blood there.

“Well, look at you, all dolled up.”

It’s Chase. I startle, almost losing my balance, before he steadies me, his hands lingering.

I pull away. “Is it two-for-one on assholes tonight?” I ask, smoothing my dress down.

“Huh?” Chase is gesturing for a beer.

“Never mind. What do you want?” I ask, already wary. “Nero will be back in a minute.”

“Can’t a man just have a casual drink?” Chase asks, a little too innocently to be believed.

“Well, you’ve got one,” I say, as the bartender delivers it. “I’m leaving.”

Chase grabs my arm and pulls me back. “You ought to play nice with me, Princess,” he says, breath smelling like cheap booze. “You’re going to need friends around this place… If you don’t want to wind up like your mom.”

He releases me, but I don’t move. “What are you talking about?” I ask, my heart suddenly pounding at the mention of my mother.

I haven’t seen her in eight years, since she walked out on my dad and Teddy and me. She went off to start a new life without us and didn’t look back. So why the hell is Chase mentioning her now.

“Chase, tell me?” I demand.

He smirks. “Oh yeah, I forgot you didn’t know.”

He takes a long pull from his beer, taking his time. He’s doing it to torment me, but I don’t care.

“Know what?” I demand. “Chase, what the fuck are you trying to say?”

“That the bitch is dead.”

I reel back. “No, you’re wrong,” I blurt, shaking my head. “She just left us, went into hiding on her own. She probably has a whole new family by now.”

Chase laughs. “Jesus fucking Christ, you really believe that shit? The moment she bailed on you, she called up her old friends for help. We tracked her down easy. And we dealt with her, alright.” He smirks, eyes boring into me, full of hate. “The way Barrettis always do. Left that bitch dead in a ditch somewhere, out in Arizona. Think they even chopped off her fingers, so they couldn’t match the prints.”

Nausea rolls through me.

Oh God, no.