Page 43 of Vicious Little Games

“You're the one who added in the word little.”

“That is not a word you can ever accuse me of being so don't even try.”

Rolling her shoulders back, she says, “Whatever. Your dick is never coming near me again.”

My feet freeze on the second-floor landing as she continues walking up to the third floor. “Oh, yeah?” I ask hoping my disappointment isn't obvious.

“Yeah. You're my enemy now.”

“Your enemy?” I repeat.

“That's right.” Looking over her shoulder at me, she pulls the plastic bag to her chest and says, “I've got more important things to do than you. So let the games begin.”

“You don't stand a chance of winning, Cassie, and it has nothing to do with your gender. I've been studying business administration for three years while you just, what, play around with guards on the mats and call it training? Do you fuck your instructor too?”

“You're an asshole. My trainer is like seventy.”

“So? I didn't think you were that picky.”

“Obviously not if I let you inside of me,” she replies.

And I let her have the last word, while praying she’s not serious about never letting my dick near her again.

13

Cass

Before dinner that night, Sophie took pregnancy tests that were all negative, yelled at her husband loud enough for the entire penthouse to hear, and then made up with him loud enough for all of Vegas to hear. I had to put in my earbuds and go down to the gym for a jog on the treadmill to escape Sophie’s screeches and Lochlan’s loud ass swears.

I’m stretching on the mat, well, lying flat on my back staring up at the ceiling with deafening rock music playing in my ears when Vanessa’s face appears above me.

I remove one of my earbuds to pause the music.

“Cass, can we talk for a second?” she asks.

“Yeah, sure,” I agree. Sitting up, I pull my knees to my chest.

Vanesa rolls over a giant blue exercise ball and takes a seat on it. The petite woman doesn’t look any worse for wear after her and my dad argued and then made up. It’s like all hell has broken loose and everyone in the penthouse is fighting and fucking today.

Not me and Cole, though.

I meant it when I told him never again. I’ve got a million different plans to start putting in action, starting with convincing my father to make me his heir over Cole.

“I just wanted you to know that I’m not rooting for you to win this competition just to keep Cole safe. I want to keep you safe as well, of course,” she explains.

“I get it.”

“I mean it, Cass. Dante has kept you sheltered from the worst aspects of this world. Are you sure you want to be a part of something so dangerous, so violent?”

“I am,” I tell her honestly. “I…I need this more than you know.” And then, even though the words burn my throat, I add, “Thank you for inviting me into the conversation, and insisting that Daddy give me a chance too.”

With a small smile she says, “You're strong and smart. Just as smart as Cole even if you didn't choose to go the college route. I just wanted to make sure you knew where I stood and let you know that I'm here to help.”

“You would really try to help me beat your son?” I ask in surprise.

“Absolutely. Anything you need.”

Nodding, I ask for her the truth. “Do you actually think there's any chance my father would ever let me take over for him?”

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