Page 43 of Wicked Games

“We wouldn’t want you to get sloppy. Out of shape.”

I slide my rook across the back row and castle. Essentially, allowing it to jump over my king, trading places with it, to better protect it.

My uncle scoffs. “Lazy.”

I stiffen.

He glances up. Someone must be behind me, in the doorway, because he motions for them to enter.

Tobias Hutchins comes in and pauses at our table. He’s Keith Wolfe’s lawyer. Is. Was. I don’t know. I have no idea if he still holds the position while his client—or former client—rots in prison.

He looks first to my uncle, then me, and then the board.

The tension in my shoulders seems to double. There’s no reason for him to be here—not now. But he has a briefcase in one hand, and there’s a faint sheen of sweat across his brow.

“Speak,” Uncle demands.

Hutchins barely refrains from flinching. He reveals just the barest twitch of muscle before he locks it down. “There has been a visitation request.”

“By?”

“Ms. Amber Wolfe.”

I glance sharply at Hutchins.

Uncle’s gaze flicks to me. “Amber Wolfe, hmm?”

I get a sinking feeling in my stomach.

“Yes, sir,” the lawyer echoes.

“Put an end to that.” Uncle moves another piece. “Checkmate, Caleb. Pay more attention, next time. Act like you’re trying.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from swearing.

“Anything else?” Uncle asks the lawyer.

“No, sir.” He pivots and leaves quickly.

I understand such a notion. As soon as the heavy wooden doors shut behind him, my uncle levels me with a glare.

“As I said before: sloppy.”

“I—”

“Careless,” he continues.

He swipes his arm across the table. The chessboard and pieces go flying. He lunges forward and grabs my throat. He yanks me up, half over the now-empty table, and stares into my eyes.

What he sees is anyone’s guess.

He releases my throat and trades it for a punch to my stomach. The air leaves me in a rush, and I nearly double over.

“What good is your education if I can beat you insixteen moves?” He hits me again. Knuckles striking into my ribcage. It’s all below the collar to keep up appearances.

I’ll have to get in a fight during practice, or with Liam, to cover for this.

My mind ticks ahead, calculating, while my uncle exorcizes his demons on my skin.

---