Page 64 of Hateful Games

“Keep telling yourself that,” I tease. Both of us replaying the unfortunate event and bursting out laughing. “I think I took it out on the wrong person. But God! I was so mad at Nova. I still am. As if I need another man pulling the strings of my life.”

Miya sobers up and smiles ruefully. “What he did was absolutely wrong. It’s a side of him I’ve never seen.”

“And yet it’s the only Nova I know.”

She sighs sadly before seemingly perking up and deviously saying, “Then we better make tonight count. This is your last night and we’re going to let loose. Alcohol, dancing, and… flirting with masked men.”

“I thought someone didn’t like masks.”

“I’m all about trying new things,” she replies, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Are you trying to corrupt my cousin, little hellion?”

Both of us startle at Nova’s cocky voice. How the hell does he sneak up on me every time? Perhaps an invisible cloak or something that allows him. Yep. He’s turning me into a certified maniac.

I defiantly don’t turn around and ignore him. Instead, I watch the action movie, the name of which I have no clue of, playing on mute on the massive TV mounted on the wall.

“Where are you off to, Nono?” questions Miya casually, as if we don’t know exactly where he’s going. Probably to fuck some willing girl all night long. Not that I care, mind you.

“Out.”

“Weird name for a club.”

I suppress a chuckle.

“Funny,” Nova replies unamused. “Aunty called on your cell. Might want to call back.”

“What did she want?”

“It went to voicemail.”

“Or you were too lazy to pick up.” From my peripheral, I watch Miya get up and round the couch while calling out to Nova, “Arsehole.”

Tension crackles in the air when the two of us are left alone. Seconds pass in silence as I pretend and fail to ignore his daunting presence. I hear him move and sigh in relief when I think he’s left. Only for his rich scent that reminds me of a chaotic storm to become stronger and envelop me.

His warm breath teases the hair on the back of my neck as he leans over me from behind. His arms hang on either side of my shoulders, grazing along my forearms intentionally.

I could get up and leave.

But he’ll see it as a victory.

Giving him even a miniscule of satisfaction is something I’m vehemently against.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he says, his lips ghosting against my ear, drawing a shiver that has nothing to do with the cool air. “I won’t like it if you turn my cousin against me.”

I stare unfocused at the screen as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

He sighs. “Are we back to the silent treatment?”

“Go away,” I snap. The sooner he leaves, then I also can. “I’m watching a movie.”

“It’s on mute. With no subtitles.”

Damn it, I realize as he points that out, making my cheeks heat in mild embarrassment.

“I’ve already seen it.”

“What’s the name of the movie then?”

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