Page 189 of Plaything

From that one childlike pusillanimous flash of his eyes, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Court was Dominic’s monster. I didn’t know how, why, or what he did... I just knew that look.

“Oh shit,” Aiden murmured before glancing at the house.

“Dominic, I didn’t think they’d invite him—I didn’t know they still spoke,” Wyatt apologized, gently slurring his words.

“What did he say to you?” Dominic asked, each word like venom as I held his stare.

I sat down next to Niko and Wyatt before I answered. “He said he wanted to meet me and not to tell you that he was here. He mentioned that you two no longer have a relationship, and he was happy to see that I’m attractive—and normal?” I rushed out, trying to recall the conversation. It happened so fast.

“What else did he do?” Dominic pushed.

“Nothing, that was it,” I shook my head. “I mean, he tried to keep talking, but after what he said, I came out here to tell you.” My voice was soft as I spoke, hoping to calm him.

“Dom, I’ll go ask him to leave, okay?” Aiden gave him a soft look before moving to stand.

I could never be scared of Dominic—but the murderous look in his eyes and the way he slowly rose from his chair made me shrink.

“Dominic, don’t—I’ll handle it,” Aiden placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to usher him back into his seat.

It was as if he didn’t hear Aiden’s words as he began taking long, confident strides toward the house. “Dom—fuck,” Aiden sighed, glancing down at Wyatt. “I can’t hold him back myself,” he gestured for Wyatt to follow as he chased after Dominic, who was already opening the back door.

Wyatt downed the glass of whisky on the table before he stood and followed suit. Drunk, shirt open revealing his abs, and a country hat on. If I weren’t worried, I probably would have mimicked his whistle from earlier—but this wasn’t the time for jokes.

The three disappeared inside, and my shoulders fell, worried about Dominic. Something told me Court was about to get the beating of his life, probably worse than Mr. Ridley (who had two black eyes for weeks after what Dominic did to him).

Niko wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You did the right thing by telling him,” he assured in a hushed tone.

“It doesn’t feel like it,” I admitted.

He placed his hand under my chin, making me look up from my lap into his hazel eyes. “Dominic wasn’t mad at you, you know, despite the glare,” he halfheartedly smiled. “Court knows he isn’t welcome, and he’s a fucking idiot for showing up—let alone seek you out and think it’s okay to talk to you,” he scoffed and shook his head, a glare of his own.

“I know he wasn’t mad at me,” I sighed. “The look on his face...” I shook my head, deciding not to mention it. If I had, I might’ve cried for him.

Movement in my peripheral caught my attention. From where we sat in the back, we had the only view of the front of the house, where all the cars were parked. Dominic was seething in the sunset, dragging Court out of the house by the back of his neck—like a dog. Wyatt and Aiden were following closely behind but didn’t make any move to stop the manhandling.

“Niko,” I widened my eyes at the sight, too interested to look away.

Niko followed my eye-line, where he took in the unfolding scene. “At least they got him out of the house,” Niko humorlessly chuckled.

“Court?”

“Dominic,” he corrected. “You might want to look away, Odette,” his thumb gently ran over my hand as he held it.

Ignoring his suggestion, I watched as Dominic flung Court forward until he stumbled to find his footing. The music was far too loud for us to hear what they said. While I was curious, I was thankful no one else was aware of the scene happening in the front.

Court said something with his hands held up in innocence but was cut short by Dominic’s right hook, followed by the left... until he swung repeatedly. Every punch landed until his father was bloody on the gravel. Even then, Dominic didn’t stop.

Even with Aiden and Wyatt on each arm, trying to pull him off Court, Dominic barely looked interrupted. Court tried to hit back, but Dominic didn’t allow him to.

Niko’s leg was tapping beside me, seemingly ready to join Aiden and Wyatt in pulling him off his father.

Finally, Wyatt and Aiden pulled Dominic off. Dominic was saying something to Court, practically spitting the (what I can only assume) threats.

Court’s face and shirt were covered in blood—I was surprised when he was able to stand. He stumbled to his feet and ran to a car, fumbling with his keys before he flung the door open.

Dominic harshly shrugged his shoulders, breaking free from my other professors. He strode up to the car, pointing a finger at him as he seemed to be yelling. I could make out the words ‘If you ever...’ before the music drowned his voice out.

Dominic got three more hits in before being held back, and Court skidded out of the driveway, his tire leaving a bare spot in the gravel.

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