Page 24 of The Game

“I am, huh?”

Bringing my knees up, I encircle my arms around them and nod.

“You’re completely morally gray…chaotic evil, actually. Cunning. Smart. Ruthless. But there’s something…nice about you,” I say, wrinkling my nose at the last part. He quirks his brow.

“Now this is a side to Alice I never thought I’d see.”

“Don’t push it.”

He chuckles, rubbing his wide palms over his face. “Finish your move, bunny. I’m really looking forward to winning. Again.”

Grumbling to myself, I set my sights back on the black and white chess board. We’ve been betting dollar bills, but at the end of every session, they somehow find their way back into my raggedy wallet. He took me to grab some clothes from my dorm last weekend and subsequently threw a bunch of his old shirts at me once he saw their condition. His excuse? I look better in black and was born to be a mosh monster. He’s taking me to a show on Sunday, and I have to admit, the distraction feels good. I actually have something to look forward to.

Racking my brain as I attempt to remember where he told me to move the piece, I feel excitement flood my veins when I do exactly as he’s instructed. But when that damn grin grows and he still checks me, I pout, deflated.

“Seriously?”

He leans back with his laughter, palms resting on his knees.

“Gotta learn the hard way. You think fuck-face will take it easy on you?”

My shoulders round as my smile slips, but he doesn’t allow me to wallow. He never does, and I suppose I am thankful. If not for him, I’d be sucking Daniel’s cock right now as he commands me to use my hands andmoan. It’s been a blissful break, but I am nervous to return to reality.

Before I can say anything in rebut, my phone buzzes across the coffee table, Dick’s number flashing on the screen. Teddy rolls his eyes and throws his hands behind his head, sniffing as he waits for me to answer. I usually take these calls on speaker now, allowing Teddy to coach me through answers; he’s known Dick way longer, understands how to subvert his nasty tendencies. I am beginning to wonder if he has histrionic personality disorder. Would make sense, and if that is the case, then our tactics should work to subdue him at the very least. But if I am his current source of emotional catharsis and he can no longer leach it from me like a fucking succubus, then he will simply find another. I know it’s not that simple, though; with my father dead, Dick only wants me. Only my suffering will bring him joy.

Sighing, I answer.

“Yes?”

“Dear, is that any way to greet your beloved grandfather?”

My eyes flick to Teddy’s; he remains stoic, staring down at me with that unreadable look that haunts me as much as it lures me in.

“Did you need something?” I say in response, choosing not to play into his little sick mind games. I will never consider him family, blood or not.

“I need you to stop being a little bitch,” he seethes. Teddy leans forward, brows knitting together in quiet anger. Dick is usually nicer, but the less compliant I am, the more biting he becomes. “If you would just be kind, Alice, I wouldn’t have to have Daniel punish you.”

My stomach writhes at his gas-lighting, but before I can hang up, finger poised over the redendbutton, Teddy’s hand gently covers mine, stopping me. Eyes catching, he gives me a slight nod, and I nod back, heaving a shaky breath.

“I’m not going to tolerate you calling me names when I’ve been nothing but compliant. If you want to call me later under better circumstances, feel free. I’ll be at work tonight at eight.”

Before he can respond, Teddy lifts his hand, allowing me to end the call, but not before Dick gives an ominous chuckle.

“Careful, dearie. You may think you’re smart now, but I have eyes everywhere, watching your every move. I know you’ve not been staying in your dorm. Pray tell, you’re not crossing me by going back to those pedophiles, are you?”

Enraged to the point I see red pulsing around the edges of my vision, I am about to launch the phone across the room and scream, but Teddy instead grabs my wrist, shaking his head with a small smirk before he taps his temple, our signal; Dick is just trying to rile me up. The only man watching me is Teddy. Dick is just shooting in the dark, assuming I’ve not been on campus.

Clearing my throat, my voice is cold when I answer sweetly.

“Never, grandpa. I just hope they never find out what Daniel does to me every night.”

And pressing my thumb to the end button, I soak in ecstasy as I imagine my devils tearing them both apart with their bare fucking hands.

Teddy’s mordacious grin sinks into the pit of my belly and fans those flames to a conflagration. His next words temper those flames, and the wickedness that twists his face into an almost unrecognizable look has my toes curling in fear and my heart racing for a very different reason.

“Oh, bunny. If you think what they’ll do to Daniel is bad, you clearly don’t know me very well yet.”

And if the sinister glint to his eyes is any indication, I know he’s right; I am in the presence of evil incarnate, and yet all it does is make me crave the darkness even more. For I am irrevocably part of it now, and when I free myself, I’ll dance around the ashes of those who ever dared to touch a Stefanov.

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