Page 17 of Hateful Games

When I turn, my little fiancée is following me.

Guess she doesn’t trust me not to be gone without supervision.

“Got lost?” Jasmine huffs.

“Not my fault your house is built like a maze.”

“Ha. Like yours isn’t.” Jasmine goes to stand beside her sister, who is watching me raptly. I rip my gaze away before they mistakenly drift to her swollen bottom lip.

“Don’t be a stranger, Nathan.”

Of course, he gets the sunshine treatment.

“See you around, Jas,” replies Nathan, following behind me as I stalk to my car, halfway there. I was about ready to leave without him. Digging out my keys, I press on the key fob.

Boom.

My body flies through the air before landing on the harsh ground with a deafening thump. The ringing in my head so loud, I’m afraid I’ve gone deaf. While a cloud of dirt and smoke blinds me.

When my surroundings take shape, the sight a few feet ahead leave me stunned.

My favorite car—that I remodeled myself—is caught in flames, smoke billowing from the hood, darkening the sky. The shock keeping me rooted to the earth.

“Dude, you all right?” Nathan’s voice penetrates through my haze, right before hands pull me up to my feet.

I dust off my jeans and rub my mouth, mumbling hoarsely, “I’m fine.”

“Motherfucker,” he curses under his breath. “What just happened?”

The sounds of multiple footsteps rushing saves me from answering, not that I have one. I twist and Lily is running toward me, eyes wide in horror.

“Oh my god,” she says, grabbing my shoulders and looking me over. “Please tell me you’re not hurt, Nova?”

I gently push her hand away, hating a stranger’s touch. “I’m okay. Just some scratches.”

Behind us, the staff and bodyguards have gathered, staring at the catastrophe. Everyone has distressed and astounded expressions on their faces. Everyone except…

Little Rose.

“Come inside, both of you,” orders Lily in concern. “I’m calling our doctor to check you over.”

My attention is locked on my fiancée, which is why I mutely follow Lily toward the house. Her with the phone already connected to her ear, and Nathan walking ahead of me.

“What was it that you said?” Rosalie’s cocky voice halts me as I’m about to pass her. Her sultry tone low for only me to hear. “Ahh, yes… the element of surprise. Well, did you like mine?”

I step closer while hiding my shocked yet impressed expression.

This slip of a girl is a dangerous she-devil disguised in an innocent package.

“So that’s where you disappeared,” I drawl menacingly. “When I said end our engagement, I didn’t mean by killing me, little Rose. Even though you failed terribly.”

“No, this was a warning, Nova,” she retorts, lifting her chin daringly. “For everything of mine you ruin, I’ll wreck twice worse of yours. And the next time you dare to touch me, you’ll be waking up at the gates of hell.”

With a ferocious look full of venom, she gives me her back and saunters inside.

You’ve just sealed your fate, little Rose.

You are now mine to destroy.

---