Page 46 of Vicious Little Games

When he actually does as I demand and leaves, I wish I could call him back.

It's so stupid. I shouldn't want him. He's been nothing but a pain in my ass since he came back to Vegas.

And now, he’s not just my stepbrother; he’s also my competition. As much as I enjoyed the great sex, I have to focus on the future now, and that future cannot involve Cole.

14

Cole

It takes a few days before I get the chance to question Dante about whether he’s actually going to set Cass up with a man to date, possibly even marry.

Shit hit the fan over at Lochlan’s the very next day. Sophie was almost killed by Lochlan’s half-brother Flynn who also turned out to be the one responsible not only for the casino bombing a year ago that killed a bunch of people, but also for a drone attack on Sophie. Oh, and he sent exploding drones to take down Lochlan’s plane that never left the airport.

Dante and Eli happily agreed to help “question” Flynn for all the juicy details. The asshole also confessed everything to the district attorney before he met his end.

Which is apparently why Dante called me into his office today.

“How’s Sophie?” I ask when I take my usual seat across from Dante’s desk.

“Still shook up and recovering. She was lucky. Lochlan’s guards and Sophie’s weren’t, but several of them will make it.”

“That’s good that they kept her safe.”

“I still can’t believe she stabbed Flynn in his dick.”

“No shit,” I agree with a chuckle. “I’m surprised he didn’t bleed out then and there.”

“Lochlan allowed him medical attention, but only to keep him alive long enough to talk. And talk he did,” Dante says as he leans his head back against his tall, executive chair. “Flynn told us that it was Russians who funded all of his attacks.”

“The Russians? Did he give you names?”

“No. He claimed he didn’t know them, and Eli hurt him enough that he would’ve provided them if he had. Flynn said they only spoke by phone, then transferred funds to him,” he tells me. “My IT team is looking into the phone and bank records trying to track the fuckers down.”

“Hopefully, you’ll get a lead.”

“If I don’t, I’ll need you to try and infiltrate the Russians by telling them you could be their next boss.”

“Just let me know when and where you want me.”

“I’m working that out. For now, you should get changed into something comfortable. Your first challenge is in an hour.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“I’m starting with Cass’s strength—hand to hand combat. Don’t feel bad if you can’t beat her in this event. There will be plenty of other ways to prove yourself.”

“What’s the challenge?”

“You’ll both go against Cass’s martial arts instructor, Saul. Whoever lasts the longest and impresses him wins.”

Thank fuck I won’t have to fight Cass directly. I don’t want to accidentally hurt her, even if she’s more likely to injure me. And I definitely don’t want her father to see me get hard when we’re going at it.

Which leads me to the question I’ve been eager to ask him. “You're not really going to set Cass up on dates with random men, are you?”

Sighing, he shakes his head and says, “Vanessa is helping me make a list of potentials. It's only slightly better than the alternative.”

“What's the alternative?”

“Cass sleeping with every man who steps foot in the penthouse,” he responds, knowing his daughter well. “I would rather be stabbed in my dick than let her end up anywhere near Eli.”

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