Page 20 of Wicked Games of Desire

He follows my line of sight. “You’re a terrible liar.”

I cast a glance back at him, narrowing my eyes. “Alright, then I’ll play along, big guy. Who are they talking to?”

“No idea.” He casually raises his shoulders in a shrug.

I rotate my body so that we are facing each other and immediately regret it because we’re now so close , I’m forced to look right up at him. “Who’s the terrible liar now? They’re talking to Ivan Venality, he worked for my father.”

His dark eyes narrow in on me, making him look even more severe and sending a shiver down my spine. “Why did you ask me if you already knew?”

I tilt my head rebelliously. “Wanted to see if you would tell me.” I repeat his casual shrug from earlier. It’s not a big deal. I just figure if I keep asking questions, one of them is bound to screw up and tell me something valuable. Something that might get me out of their grasp.

His hand slides up my neck slowly, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Thick fingers hold me roughly in place against the balustrade of the mezzanine as he closes his grip around my neck. I’m forced tostare up at him. The metal bar behind me is cold and hard and digs into my back painfully. “Don’t fuck with me and my brothers, temptress. It will only end badly for you. Playing games with us will get you nowhere fast.”

I suck in a breath as his grip tightens. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Maddox. Both your best buddies have a thing for me. That’s not just going to go away because you say so. I’m willing to see how far I can push them. Just for shits and giggles, because you assholes have me locked up with no other form of entertainment.” My smile is sickly sweet but holds a bitchy edge that tells him to stop fucking with me. Every day I’m getting stronger, and every day I’m getting closer to being able to kick his motherfucking ass.

His eyes narrow into icy slits, brows furrowing deeply as his stubbly jaw clenches so tight it looks like he might break a tooth. He hisses out a snarl and shoves me so the top half of my body is hanging over the balcony, my feet dangling in the air. My heart bursts out of my chest in panic. “You’re not as special as you think,” he snaps, his voice dripping with loathing, each word laced with venom, his nostrils flaring with each sharp breath. His solid body presses so close to mine that I can feel how turned on he is. He’s sick. Totally fucked in the head. He’s getting off on trying to scare me.

With no resistance, I allow my arms to dangle freely at the sides. If he’s going to drop me, there’s nothing I can do to stop him. “More lies.” I laugh. “Your body betrays you, Maddox. Seems you want me just as much as your friends. Maybe this is going to be fun after all.” I keep prodding him, waiting for him to snap and send me flying to my doom below. But I know he won’t.

I feel his fingers constricting around my throat, our eyes locked in a defiant stare. “Do it,” I tempt him, knowing all too well he can’t. He doesn’t have the authority to kill me. He knows what this ringon my finger means just as much as I do. His boss owns me, or he thinks he does, which means I can fuck with Maddox all I want and there is nothing he can do about it. But he keeps squeezing till my eyes go blurry and I feel lightheaded. Mottled light dances through my vision. I fight against his grasp, taking quick, shallow breaths to prevent myself from becoming overwhelmed.

Abruptly, he pulls me back to safety and drops me to the sticky floor. Gasping for air, I inhale deeply, clutching my neck as I peer up at him. Pain throbs around my throat. “You really are a fucking monster, Maddox.” My lips curl into a smile, but it’s far from comforting. It’s a chaotic and untamed force, reminiscent of a sinister amusement rising from the depths of my subconscious. I can sense the madness in my eyes, a gleam that tells Maddox I’m teetering on the edge, relishing the chaos within me. Because I am just as messed up as he is, and he is pushing me to my limits.

His lips turn up at the sides like he’s impressed I’ve just worked him out. Or maybe he’s just working me out and he likes what he sees. Two peas in a fucked-up pod. But I’m turning into this person because of him. Because of this predicament, I’m stuck in. I need to escape before they destroy my soul.

Dragging myself back up to standing, I brush off my dress and regain what little dignity I still have left. I take a quick look back at the lower floor and notice that the boys have continued on. Who the hell knows where they are now. Maybe now is as good a time as any. “I need to use the restroom,” I mutter, my tone bitchy as hell.

With a disapproving glance, he flicks his hair back and motions for me to proceed. I’m not sure what my plan is, but I’ll think of something. This might be my only chance to escape. I have to try.

Pushing through the heavy black door to the facility, I find the space quiet; I guess up on this floor it’s mostly men besides the strippers,so there are only two stalls occupied. I study myself in the mirror; faint bruises are already showing on my neck. Fucking prick Maddox, what was he going to do, strangle me in front of the whole second floor of people? But I guess maybe he was. From what I gather, they own this place. Maybe it’s a regular Tuesday for him. Because not one person came to my aid.

A beautiful girl emerges from the stall behind me, smiling sweetly in my direction. “Love your dress. Valentino?” she inquires with a glimmer in her beautiful emerald eyes.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” I reciprocate her smile, surprised how nice it feels to talk to a normal person and not just the three assholes who have me captive. Makes me miss Dani even more.

“I’ve had my eye on it for a while. Looks stunning on you,” she compliments while freshening up her cherry-red lipstick. Her hair is long and dark, spun up into a fancy-looking bun, while she wears a champagne-colored sheath dress. I would say she looks to be about the same size as me.

“You want to swap?” I ask, coming up with a brilliant plan.

“What?” Her eyes fix on me with a curious expression, and I know I’ve got her attention.

I brush off a stray piece of lint from the skirt and shrug. “I’m not that big on it. My boyfriend bought it for me right before I found him cheating with his secretary; it must have been a guilt gift.” I shake my head, trying to make the story look believable.

Her pretty face contorts into a mask of pure horror. “Gross, what an asshole,” she shrieks.

“I know, right! Don’t worry, I kicked his lying ass to the curb. I like your dress so much better, if you want to help a girl out and swap.”

Her lips curl into a sassy smile, the corners lifting with a playful yet defiant tilt. “I’d love to.” She giggles as she reaches for the zip andshimmies out of her dress, handing it to me without a second thought. At the same time, I slip out of my black number and pass it to her, delighted at how easy that was.

After I slip it on, I study my reflection in the mirror, pleased with myself. “You don’t have a hair elastic in that bag of yours, do you?” I ask. My long hair is hanging down my back, and for this to work, I need it to look more like hers.

“Sure.” She hands one over to me, not even questioning why I don’t have a bag myself, but there is hardly a need for one when I don’t have a phone or wallet.

I fix my hair in a topknot bun. It’s not the best disguise ever, but it’s the best I can do with limited time and resources. If I take too long, I wouldn’t put it past Maddox to force his way into the women’s bathroom and drag me out of here. “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.” I grin at her, so pleased with myself for my brilliant idea.

If she leaves before me, hopefully Maddox will be too busy looking at her to notice me slipping out. “Are you kidding? My girlfriends will not believe it when I return to our table wearing this.” She lets out a little excited squeal, checking herself out in the mirror from all angles.

“No worries, girl. Enjoy the rest of your night,” I say with a wave as she hurries back out. I follow closely behind her. Maddox is facing the club and away from the restroom, and as she walks past, he grabs her arm, thinking she’s me.

---