Page 19 of Rogue Games

Oh, for fuck’s sake. These two are getting on my nerves. Heavily pregnant, Maya’s clearly projecting her broodiness onto everyone around her.

“No.” Obviously that’s not what bothered me, I tell myself. “You’re way off so just drop it.” It was her bratty attitude. The attitude I bet I could fuck right out of her.

Ignoring my warning growl, Callum nods along sagely as though my meddling sister has hit the nail on the head. “Yes, she’d have to take another mate.”

When I growl again, louder this time, they both laugh, hard, and at my expense. I clench my fist, trying not to show how much their taunting is affecting me. Normally it doesn’t, but tonight is different.

I need to shut this conversation down.

“BECAUSE…” The word comes out louder than I intended, and when the table beside us turns, wondering what has me so riled up, I lower my voice. “Because I don’t want anyone to get badly hurt on my watch. She’s a rogue, and she’s going to be targeted. Nobody deserves that.”

Feeble. That’s the only word that can be used to describe my pathetic attempt at a deflection.

“But only her? So, you couldn’t give a shit about Wyatt getting hurt?” Callum points out the obvious flaw in my explanation. When I glare at him murderously, he raises his hands in surrender.

I can’t explain it, or at least, not to them. I just know nothing can happen to her. The games will be dangerous because I’ve made it as tough as I possibly could. Panic bubbles up inside me at the idea of her going through that without someone to protect her. Someone like me.

For a split second, I consider appointing Jax, my younger brother, as her personal bodyguard but remembering the terrifying look she gave me when I suggested she couldn’t keep pace with the boys, I rethink that idea. She doesn’t want to be wrapped in cotton wool; she wants to win.

And there isn’t a damn thing I can do to stop her giving it a shot.

“Nobody is going to hurt Wyatt,” I scoff. “Have you seen the man?” Based solely on our quick interaction, I can tell he’s smart, confident, and seriously strong. Once he doesn’t turn out to have a wicked temper or some other undesirable personality trait, I’d bet on him making it to the last round.

Which is why this launch party is about to turn into a disaster. Or one of the reasons, anyway.

A hush falls over the room, and my attention is drawn to the entrance. The hairs stand up on the back of my neck as I see Jamie step into the open doorway. She steals my breath away and I have to force myself to stay seated. I want to stand and go straight to her.

Wyatt stands at Jamie’s shoulder, expression serious, making it clear he’s got her back, as they survey the bustling room in front of them, working out where they should go. And where they might be welcome.

The urge to call her over is strong, but that won’t help their situation. They need to figure out how to make friends amongst the other competitors, and to fight their own battles.

From the look on Jamie’s face, I can tell she’s ready for it.

Compared to the classy finery of the lunas and the seductive outfits of the unmated females dotted around the room, Jamie looks fierce and fucking magnificent. Her black leather trousers are form-fitting and sexy as hell. The borrowed black tank top she wears is a little short and exposes the same slash of tanned skin that had me mesmerised earlier.

Jamie’s pale gold eyes flash to mine like she can hear my lurid thoughts, but she doesn’t smile or give me an indication she’s suffering the same turmoil as I am. If anything, she looks even more annoyed than earlier. When she averts her gaze, coldly dismissing me, my wolf growls, not angry but proud, even more enamoured by her fiery spirit for not taking my bad behaviour lying down.

I wish I could have that passion, all that fire, directed at me, but in a good way. Not like this.

The jovial conversation around the room dies off, replaced by a ripple of hushed slurs and whispers. Jamie and Wyatt have caught the attention of everyone here.

The instinct to drag her away and keep her all to myself is strong. I can feel the lust pouring off the males here, and the desire to inflict violence upon them is all-consuming. Clenching my fists, I fight back a growl as a group of males at the next table start leering at her, poking each other under the table and making lewd comments.

Would you?

I mean, gross, she’s a rogue, but look at that body.

I’ve heard rogues are just as wild in the sack. Could be fun, for a night.

As they laugh, I mentally add the three contestants to my shit list. Maybe I’ll make them do the course twice tomorrow just for fun.

When Callum hits one of them with a hard thump in the shoulder, they fall quiet, glancing from him to me, and realising their dumbass behaviour has been noted.

Standing suddenly, I want to shout at all the males to keep their eyes and their fucking comments to themselves. There won’t be anybody left if this keeps up. Instead, I keep my feet planted firmly to the spot, gesturing to some empty seats nearby that they can take. Anything to stop Jamie wandering through the tables with all those eyes on her ass.

Jamie tips her head reluctantly in gratitude and makes her way over to the free seats. My wolf is thrilled to have her so close, but immediately, I’m not so sure this is a good idea.

As I watch her walk, head held high, confidently weaving her way through the tables, long legs looking so fucking hot in those trousers, my thoughts turn decidedly unprofessional.

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