Page 105 of Hateful Games

Malcolm was just a means to an end.

Harsh but true.

“Why?” A secret smile graces his full lips. “Did you not expect me to be?”

The initial shock wears off and I roll my eyes. “I think you’re with the wrong crowd. The photographers are outside. They could use someone like you.”

“You can’t still be mad at me.”

“I’m mean when it comes to holding grudges.”

Iris loudly clears her throat, causing Malcolm’s gaze to flit to hers. Both of us gape when he confidently says, “You must be Iris.”

“Hi,” she replies. A blush forming on her cheeks. Our eyes meet and I secretly convey, I know, girl. I know. That accent.

“How do you even know her, Malcolm?”

“Is she not one of your best friends?” comes his swift reply.

“For all you know, she could be Bianca.”

“She doesn’t have a six-foot-plus hulking male, who goes by the name Dash, attached to her hip.” He quirks an eyebrow, as if daring me to interrogate his intelligence more.

“Smart-ass.”

“How come I never knew you were such good friends with Nova’s friends, Ro?” mischievously asks Iris. “I distinctly remember you calling them the devil’s minions.”

Malcolm’s lips twitch.

I narrow my gaze. “There are always exceptions.”

“Should I feel special, trouble?”

I gave you my virginity. If that doesn’t make him special, I don’t know what will. However, his behavior doesn’t give anything away. Is he that good of an actor? Besides, do I even want him to acknowledge our lustful history? Or maybe I am one of many one-night stands to him.

Still, curiosity nags at me to corner him alone and ask.

Before I can act on it, there’s a commotion to my right and I see a second too late the glass of drink falling in my direction. I’m certain it’ll ruin my sari until strong hands deftly pull me out of harm’s way into a sculpted chest.

Malcolm holds me flush against him, delivering a stern glare to the waiter whose tray spilled. The young waiter apologizes and scurries away like his ass is on fire. I’m still clutching Malcolm as he lowers his head to softly ask, “Are you okay, love?”

“I—”

“Let her go, Colm.” Nova’s piercing voice cuts through the air.

Malcolm’s hands drift to my hips but don’t immediately let go. Nova’s jaw hardens and his eyes go dark in rage. The flutter in my chest that Malcolm’s presence didn’t ignite flares to life from a single look from Nova.

“He just saved me from being embarrassed, Nova,” I jump in and speak.

I’m ignored like a fly on a windshield. “Friends or not, I will cut off your hands if you don’t stop touching my woman, Malcolm.”

What is up with him? His sudden possessiveness is confusing the hell out of me.

Malcolm, not intimidated in the slightest but respecting his friendship, immediately lets go and steps a good distance away from me. I’m left alone—fuming—only for a second before Nova tugs me against his side. His arm boldly wraps around my waist, his hand shy of cupping my ass.

Our commotion causes Bianca to appear out of thin air, Dash in tow. Her inquisitive gaze reads the tensed situation and ping-pongs between Iris, who is staring at Nova perplexed, and me.

“You okay, Ro?”

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