Page 16 of Vicious Little Games

“You were kidnapped?” My mom gives Dante a wide-eyed oh shit look. “When? When were you fucking kidnapped, Mom?”

“Right after the bombing,” Cass informs me since the rest of the table is as silent as a tomb. “A few days after you left,” she adds. “I mean, after you and your mom left the casino because of the fight with my dad.”

Kidnapped. Jesus.

Stabbing my fingers through my hair, I give the locks a tug. “Wow. I can't believe you were...and that you didn't tell me about that either.”

“I didn't want you to worry.”

“Worry? You could've been killed or worse. Did they do worse?” I ask even though I'm not sure if I want the answer. It’s crazy how fast all my anger at my mother evaporates after hearing the word “kidnapped.”

She gives me a small smile. “No, sweetie. Dante had his guards keeping an eye on me, thankfully, even though I didn’t want him to. It was Yuri’s men who grabbed me. That’s how they found out I was still alive. I didn't know Dante and his men would come for me so fast, so I spilled the beans about my birth name to make sure the Russians kept their hands off me.”

“I can't believe this,” I mutter, running my fingers through my hair again. My grandfather really was a piece of work. My mom wouldn’t have been so lucky if she hadn’t been his daughter. He would’ve killed her, probably after letting his men rape her. I’m glad that son of a bitch is dead.

“Welcome to the mafia,” Dante grumbles. Killing my grandfather is one thing he did that I approve of. I bet he and Eli made that fucker suffer too. “You can never be too careful, so trust no one but the people sitting at this table.”

I guess that doesn’t include psycho Eli since he’s apparently not allowed to eat with the family. And I'm not entirely sure Cass can be trusted not to kill me.

The fact that she came to warn me before dinner in that skimpy dress means she must be seriously concerned I’ll tell Dante about her and her escapades with the guards.

I can’t wait to find out who they are, but I won’t be turning him, or them, over to Dante.

It can’t be anything serious like a relationship, could it? Cass wouldn’t have attacked me in the pool if she didn’t care about the sons of bitches. But how do they feel? Are they just using her?

I’m going to figure out who they are and then I’m going to get answers to all of those questions.

4

Cass

After dinner, I head up to my room where I flop down onto the big, comfy chaise lounge in the center of my room. Then I unlock my phone to read my new message.

Lowell said: Can’t wait to see you tonight. Get that *kitty emoji* ready for me.

I quickly text him back: Can’t tonight. In fact, you shouldn’t come up to my room for a while.

Him: Why not? My balls are aching for you, is his instant response. How romantic, telling me about his aching balls.

Me: Because my nosy stepbrother is staying here for the summer.

Him: So?

Me: So, he’s already suspicious, and I don’t want him to catch you up here.

Him: Can you come down to me?

Me: No. He’ll probably be lurking around the entire penthouse.

Him: He’s allowed on the third floor???

Me: No, but he can see and hear a lot from the second.

Him: Fine. Is texting still safe?

Me: Yes.

Him: Then I’ve got a clip I think you’re going to love. Send me a video of you playing with yourself while watching it. I need something to jerk off to until I can see you again.

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