Page 71 of Tormented Kings

“Awww.” I chuckle. “Preston, you really do like us,” I tease. “And here I thought you only put up with us because of the Host Club.”

“No.” He frowns. “Well... maybe Grayson, but not you.”

My heart races a little faster, and I have to look away from the mixed signals flaring in his eyes. “You're part of this group,” I tell him. “Just because we’re dating Sadie doesn’t mean we’re pushing you away. You're stuck with us, so get over it.” I smile.

A small grin twitches on his lip. “Fine. If I have to.”

“Declan!” Sadie gets my attention. I look over at my beautiful girlfriend, who’s smiling at me, her hand held out. “Come with me. I’m going to need a big, strong man to protect me.”

“Hey, what about me?” Grayson frowns, looking down at Sadie.

“You’ve done a good job protecting me so far, but I want to see how Declan does,” she laughs.

I shake my head with a chuckle and move over to take her hand, letting her pull me to her front so that she’s trapped between the two of us. My gaze flicks over to Preston, finding him frowning before he looks away.

If I could have my dream, it would be the three of us together. I swear I see something there, a spark between us. Or maybe it’s just me wanting something so bad that my mind is playing tricks on me.

We get to the front and are asked to get into a single file line. I move to get in front of Sadie, but she slips in front of me.

I raise a brow at her, pushing my glasses up my nose. “How am I supposed to protect you if you're in front of me?”

“We both know I don’t need protection. I just wanted you close. If anything, I’ll be the one protecting you.” She grins, and damn it, she’s stunning.

This girl is mine. All mine. I’m one lucky man.

“Well, thank you, Sweetheart,” I say in a surprisingly good southern accent. “I sure do appreciate it.”

She giggles, and it’s music to my ears.

“Guys, I don’t know about this one. Reviews online say it’s supposed to be the scariest one of all,” Alice says with fear in her tone.

“Perfect. Then maybe it’s the one that gets Sadie to at least scream,” Emma mutters as if she’s frustrated with my girlfriend for not getting scared. This is the tenth house we’ve been to, and the only thing Sadie has done is jump once and then burst into laughter.

Her friends were right; Sadie was walking through those houses like it was no big deal, a large smile on her face while waving to all the cast members. It had us laughing while her friends screamed over every little jump scare.

“Wanna make a bet?” I ask, feeling a little playful.

“What kind of bet?”

“If you get scared, scream, or jump in this house, I win.”

She laughs. “Win what? How is that fair?”

“Just go with it, Sweetheart,” I challenge. “What do you say?”

“So if I get scared, you win something?”

“Yup.” I nod. “Prize of my choosing.”

“Okay then.” She shrugs. “Don’t be mad when you’re disappointed.”

She turns around, and I grin as we walk into the house.

We’re cloaked in darkness, the sounds of the attraction ringing out around us. People in front and behind us start screaming as things start to pop out.

Sadie, like always, does nothing, laughing when her friends shriek.

These houses are a quick walk through. Since Sadie said the only reason she isn’t scared is because she’s expecting it, I’m going to have to distract her if I’m going to scare her.

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