Page 6 of Deadly Little Games

“You know what it’s like having an overprotective brother. But at least Alec doesn’t watch your every move—he lets you have your own life.” Amirah sighs, and she’s right. Alec’s here somewhere, probably keeping an eye on me, but he’s not overpowering like Gage is. He actually lets me live my life without interfering too much.

More people come down the dirt track and into the pit. Music pumps through the massive speakers and the DJ from Daringville mixes up some dance beats. Before I can reply, Amirah moves toward the sea of people dancing in front of the DJ. She dances up against a cute guy, and he grabs her hips, moving to the beat of the music.

I grab another drink from one of the open coolers, twistoff the cap, and sit on a log next to a couple of guys from Daringhood. They nod and I smile back. One of the guys pulls out a glass pipe and a lighter. He takes a hit then passes it my way, but I shake my head. No fucking way I’m touching that shit, not after what it’s done to my family.

I sit back and watch Amirah, not having any desire to dance. I’d much rather people watch—at least until I have more alcohol in my system.

The guy dancing with Amirah freezes, looking past me. He steps back, throwing up his hands, then moves my way. I look over my shoulder and roll my eyes. Gage beckons the guy over with a lazy smirk. Hazen’s arms are hooked around a preppy girl’s shoulders, and Lucas looks bored as he flicks his lighter.

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I jump, whirling back around and coming face to face with a pissed-off Amirah. Oh shit. She stands in front of me, staying quiet, watching her brother and his two friends talk to the guy she was dancing with. Then she crunches up her cup, throwing it into the fire.

“I’m so over this. He needs to learn a lesson,” she snaps, grabbing my hand and pulling me closer to her brother. I try to pull back, but it’s useless—Amirah’s grip is too tight.

The air around us changes the further we get from the fire. Goosebumps scatter over my arms, and I have no idea if it’s from the chill in the air or because we are getting closer to Gage.

Amirah lets go of my hand and pushes against her brother’s chest before she grabs his drink from his hand and throws it at his top. I snort-laugh, covering it with my bottle of alcohol. The guy she was dancing with runs off without a backwardglance.

“What the fuck, Amirah?” Gage growls and looks wild. He snatches a bottle from Lucas, who’s laughing at him. He downs the rest and throws the bottle to the forest floor. He catches my gaze before lifting his soaking top over his head in one swift movement and chucking it into the flames of the fire. It’s gone, evaporated in the blink of an eye.

My gaze runs over his tattooed, muscular chest, and my core clenches. I want to run my fingers over each and every muscle. Fuck, I need to get laid—but not by my best friend’s brother. He’s off-limits, and I won’t put Amirah in danger with her family again.

“You deserved that.” Amirah smirks, and Gage steps closer toward us, giving me a better view of his chest. Fuck. I need more alcohol to deal with this.

“Why? Cause I fucked your best friend?” Gage asks so casually I choke on my drink.

Amirah scoffs. “No, you idiot, because you won’t let me have one night out without scaring away anyone who dares to get too close to me. I’m so over it. Just leave me alone.”

“Never,” Gage growls. “They just want to use you. Then they’ll throw you away like you’re nothing, and you’re better than that—and them.”

My eyes widen, and I look at Gage in a different light. I never thought I’d see the day something that nice would come out of his mouth.

“Unless you like being the town whore, then I could arrange a job for you with the Daringhood hookers.” He smirks, running his thumb over his bottom lip.

All thoughts of him being nice vanish. Amirah shoves his chest again, and I’ve just about had enough. I drop my drink and step between them, placing my hand on Amirah’s and then Gage’s chest. Ignoring Gage, I look at Amirah.

“Can we please just drop this and keep the peace for one night?” I plead, and Amirah huffs but nods.

She takes one last look at her brother and then walks away toward the drinks in the coolers. I go to follow her, but someone grabs me around the waist, pulling me into a hard body. Goosebumps scatter over my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck raise. His breath tickles my nape, and it takes everything in me not to lean into his touch.

With a deep inhale, I elbow Gage in the ribs and step out of his embrace. He holds his side, the corner of his mouth lifting, and his stupid fucking dimple sits there on his perfect face.

Gage, Hazen, and Lucas surround me, blocking off my view of the fire and my escape.

“I thought I told you to stay on your side of the tracks?” Gage says, resting his finger on his jaw.

Hazen studies me with interest, his gaze heavy on my body as he slowly eye-fucks me. I frown, unsure how I feel about his attention.

I should be afraid of them. They rule Daringville, which in turn means they own my side of the tracks, Daringhood. But I’ve always liked playing with trouble.

“This is neutral ground, Gage. You, of all people, should know the rules. After all, wasn’t it your family who created them? Hmm?” I raise my eyebrow with a smirk.

Lucas laughs, not bothering to hide it from his friend, who smacks him over the head. He curses, rubbing the back of his neck.

Gage steps forward, right into my personal space once again, and I don’t dare move an inch. The air around us changes like I’ve been shoved into the fire. My skin burns when his chest meets mine. I feel like the whole party is staring at us, judging our every move. What will Amirahthink? I block out everyone around us, focusing on Gage. He looks down at me with a heavy glare.

“Stay the fuck in line, or you’ll be sorry, little Freya from Daringhood trailer park, lot number 138.” He pauses, and I try not to show any emotion, but inside, my heart’s beating rapidly. He knows where I live. Fuck. I should be afraid, but I live for the fear; it keeps me breathing. “It would be too easy to burn you and your trailer to the ground. I’m sure you’d love to see your junkie mother burn down with it, wouldn’t you?” he asks, and I hold back from revealing any emotion. He doesn’t know shit.

I go to open my mouth, but my brother sweeps in next to me.

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