Page 140 of Plaything

“Is she functioning yet?” I joked, smirking at Wyatt. After their shower, we put on a movie to unwind. She was asleep before the opening credits began. All of us were a bit on edge but prepared if she dropped. We didn’t consider yesterday severe, but it was way more sex than any of us planned for. Just like she said, she seemed perfectly content. She went to bed with a smile and kisses for everyone.

Wyatt nodded. “She’s in the shower. I almost feel bad about the limp,” he added with a chuckle.

“Knock knock!” We gave each other questioning glances as Jamie’s booming voice echoed through the house, followed by footsteps.

Aiden lifted his brows and opened the kitchen door, revealing all our friends at six in the morning. “What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Where’s Odette?” Reesia asked as her eyes roamed the area.

“In the shower—is everything okay?” Wyatt asked. It was strange that they were all here. Obviously, they must have planned this.

Vincent tilted his head towards the living room. “The news from Saturday’s dinner is all over local news channels and ten newspapers,” he explained. “It’s bad.”

Oh shit. We all expected some kind of publicity to surface, but this wasn’t good. Considering Odette kept her life incredibly private, she would hate this.

Reesia perked up and smiled. “Hot girl in the shower. Naked?” Was all she mumbled before she bolted up the stairs.

“Reesia!” Collin scolded.

“It’s like Christmas!” She called back.

“You should put a leash on her,” Jamie scoffed.

Collin shrugged. “I’ve tried that. She’s into it,” he deadpanned.

Reesia basically had idiot freedom. She was harmless, even if I was ticked that she’d see Odette naked. Collin wasn’t easy on her when it came to punishments—which she frequently got because she couldn’t control herself. Again, Odette was hot, and I understood. She was still ours, and I knew for a fact that if any one of our friends got the chance, they’d steal her.

Jamie was incredibly interested in our girl, which made me extra weary of her. I loved Jamie, but if anyone had enough charisma to steal Odette or even borrow her... it was Jamie. The woman was a powerhouse who somehow seduced even the straightest woman into sleeping with her. None of us could crack the code, but Jamie had an extraordinary power.

Reesia was harmless.

Jamie was not.

Collin only had eyes for Reesia, no matter how difficult she could be. He was mostly harmless with one exception: Collin gave Reesia whatever she wanted... and Reesia wanted Odette.

Vincent wasn’t harmless either, but he’d never cross us or risk our friendship.

Vincent and Aiden chuckled at Collin’s comment before we settled in the living room and turned on a local news channel.

“Holy shit, what happened to you!” We heard Reesia blurt before laughing.

Odette shrieked before we heard a stumble. I could picture her ferociously covering herself with a towel, petrified that Reesia saw her naked. It made me chuckle, along with everyone else in the room. The thin walls were a blessing and a curse. “Reesia, what—get out!” Odette stumbled through her words as something loud thunked onto the floor, and the shower turned off.

“What did you do yesterday?” Reesia sang in a sarcastic, cheery tone, teasing our girl. No doubt poking fun at the love bites riddled all over her body.

Their voices muffled out as Odette’s shock and Reesia’s excitement lessened.

Our friends caught on quickly and sent the four of us knowing smirks. “What did you do yesterday?” Jamie repeated in a sultry tone.

There was no hesitation as Aiden answered, “Her.” He pressed play quickly, ending the conversation. I smirked, knowing damn well Jamie and Vincent wanted more details than that.

“Our sources say that the man who marries her will inherit north of 17 billion dollars,” the anchorwoman informed. “Her heart is the key to some lucky man’s fortune.”

“Indeed, Linda. Let’s take a look at some photos from the will reading on Saturday,” the anchorman started. Photos of the dinner began sliding on the screen. Everything looked lavish and expensive; it wasn’t hard to believe that was the world Odette came from. She was always dripping in luxury and carried herself like someone who came from old money. To me, the images looked like a front covering for the wickedness that happened in that house.

“Several of Charles Whitlock’s business partners, his ex-wives, beloved staff, and bell of the ball, Odette Whitlock, were in attendance. You are now seeing images taken from trusted inside sources of the will being read... lots of sad faces at that table. Charles is truly a spectacular man. He’s donated billions to charities over the past two decades. As he approaches the end of his time with us, all he wanted to do was assure those closest to him were taken care of.”

There were pictures of everyone looking bored at best. The photos took a turn, and soon, only Odette was on the screen. Tears ran down her flushed cheeks, her eyes wide with shock, looking extra vivid and bright blue against her red eyes and blue dress. My heart broke for her and how sad she looked for that man. Even crying, she was the most beautiful woman Aphrodite ever created.

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