Page 72 of Cruel Crown

“She’s not Katia and she doesn’t need your help.” It was harsh, but it was the truth. His nostrils flared, but he didn’t snap at me.

“Don’t die,” he said as he walked away.

Gideon

My hands held on to the snowmobile handlebars as I waited for Daphne to show up. Damian passed and gave me a smirk as he walked away with Francesca. The bitch was getting on my nerves, but I had fun things planned for anyone who was involved in my petal’s attack.

Bas passed shortly afterward but didn’t say anything; he looked pissed. A part of me was starting to feel relieved when I didn’t see Daphne, thinking she must have locked herself up with Alexis while we all came back.

That was not the case.

I remember I once described Daphne as beautiful but cold, but the truth was I couldn’t have been more wrong. She wasn’t cold; she was just jaded and guarded. She hid her warmth because if she gave too much away, then she would be like everyone else. Every move was calculated, but for the good of others and not herself.

I held onto my breath as I watched her walk toward me. She was in her tight black clothes, and instantly, my dick got hard. She was putting on her fur gloves as she made her way to me. She had a headband that protected her from the cold, and I almost felt bad about cutting her hair. That’s until I got to think how many other fuckers had probably stroked it as she fucked them.

Draped across her shoulders and down to her back was an M24 sniper. I had to remind myself that I couldn’t fuck her—but I could sure as hell kiss the shit out of her. Stepping on the gas, I made my way to her.

“Hop on, gorgeous,” I said, patting the back seat.

She rolled her eyes, waiting for me to hand over the helmet.

“Don’t get used to leading, handsome,” she said as she took a step closer.

“I like you riding bitch,” I told her, throwing her words back in her face.

Her eyes went icy and she smiled at me. I fucking shivered at the malice dripping from her lips. She leaned into me, her lips brushing my ear.

“I’m so wet right now,” she said in a purr, and I gripped the handlebars.

She chuckled, then put on her helmet. I did the same but didn’t miss her hiss as she straddled the snowmobile. There was only so much I could do because she was proud, and if I kept pushing her, she would lock me out.

I waited until I felt her arms wrap around my waist before I took off.

The scenery was beautiful, but the terrain was dangerous. I came to a halt when I saw everyone had stopped in front of a clearing. Damian was without his helmet, standing on top of his snowmobile.

“Black team, you take the left side; White, the right… The rules are simple: whoever infiltrates and gets the enemy’s flag wins. Don’t freeze to death, and don’t get killed by wildlife.”

He then grinned and let out a howl, and everyone else followed except for me and Daphne.

We were on the black team, so I just followed the people who had a black flag. This shit was supposed to be a bonding experience for these crazy fucks. I didn’t know how I felt about the cold temperature, but they were the best for a reason.

After an hour, our team stopped at a clearing between a forest. They parked the snowmobiles in a line, and everyone started to get off. Daphne took off her helmet and then opened the under compartment of where we were seated and stored it there.

“Put yours in there,” she said as she pulled out two masks for our faces and some goggles.

“Now what?” I asked.

“We go hunting,” she said.

I grabbed our gear and handed her one of the vests we were required to have. It was designed to recognize the trackers in the rubber bullets.

Our team leader grabbed a flag and unrolled it, revealing a whiteSlike the one Daphne had on her wrist, but this one had a crown at the top.

“Why aren’t you leading?” I asked as Daphne started to walk away in the opposite direction.

“Because then Damian would be warier of me. I try not to take leadership roles so he doesn’t get suspicious that I am coming after him. I’d rather let his paranoia fuck with him.”

I guess it made sense.

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