Page 125 of The Laughing Game

“Hi, Gideon. Hello, Angel.” He frowned. “How old are you?”

“Oh, I’m not a day over twenty-two,” Gideon lied, “and Angel just turned twenty-one.”

My eyes went wide and I managed to hold in a laugh. In no universe did I look younger than Gideon. But this was so much fun.

Vihaal smiled. “I see. Well, I’m Vihaal, and I’m not a day younger than forty-eight. That’s quite the age difference.” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he chose a pretend age for himself.

“Yes,” Gideon agreed. “We do hope you don’t mind. And I, uh, hope you’ve had a recent physical. No heart problems?”

I almost did laugh and Vihaal smiled.

“No worries there.”

Vihaal motioned to the bartender and laid a fifty on the counter. “That’s for their drinks and mine.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

We followed Vihaal to the elevator.

“We’re on the twelfth floor,” he said.

“Oh. There should be a nice view from there,” Gideon said.

“Yes, well,” Vihaal said, looking him up and down. “I don’t give a fuck about the view.”

“I was simply making conversation. I don’t give a fuck about the view either.”

“Then we understand each other.” Vihaal turned to me. “And you? Did you say your name wasAngel?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Do you care about the view?”

“No. Fuck the view,” I said, adjusting my pants.

The elevator doors opened.

“In you go,” Vihaal said, ushering us into the mirrored car.

Gideon and I moved toward the back of the elevator as Vihaal pressed the button to close the doors. Then he turned around.

“All right. Here are the rules once we get into that room. You don’t speak, unless it’s to sayYes, Sir,orNo, Sir. The safeword for everyone isPrime Minister.”

Gideon giggled.

Vihaalalmostsmiled, but then managed to retain his stern demeanor.

“And you do everything I ask of you. Even if it’s fucking depraved and disgusting. Because it will be.”

“Yes, Sir,” I panted, overcome with desire and love for these incredible men.

“Oh, yes, Sir,” Gideon agreed.

“Good. Then we understand each other,” Vihaal said, moving forward and pinning Gideon against the elevator wall. “You’ve got a smart mouth on you, don’t you? I can’t wait to fill it with…something.”

He glanced at me.

“And you, standing there all quiet and innocent. Something tells me you can beabsolutely filthy.”

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