Page 68 of Wicked Games

“That means we’re all in danger from his sabotage,” April said. “Because weallknow what he did to those girls now. So if he’s getting rid of loose ends… that means every single one of us.”

“Shit,” Zach muttered. “You’re right.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. “Hold on,” I said, grabbing April’s sleeve to stop her too. “I just realized something.”

The others turned and peered at me. “What?”

“If we’re right about this, then that means Hudson can’t possibly be the Game Master.”

“Oh, shit. Good point,” Brooke said, eyes widening.

“What do you mean?” Zach asked.

I lifted a brow. “If Hudson was angry at Rhys for spilling his dark secrets to the Game Master, then he can’t possibly be the Game Master himself.”

“I’m still not following.” Zach yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Sorry, I’m half-asleep.”

Brooke let out an impatient sigh. “If Hudson was the Game Master, then that would mean he wrote those Truth or Diequestions himself, including the one about his own dark secret. That means the information wouldn’t have come from Rhys. So he would’ve had no reason to be mad at Rhys or want revenge on him.”

“Oh.” Comprehension finally dawned on Zach’s tired face. “Shit. You’re right. He’snotthe Game Master.”

“Well... I guess he could be,” April said. “He could’ve had some other reason to get rid of Rhys in that last game, right?”

“Maybe.” Zach frowned. “Also, he was the first one to test the water a minute ago. Almost like he knew for sure that it was no longer electrified. Only the Game Master would know for sure.”

“Honestly, I think he was just showing off. Proving how brave and masculine he is,” Brooke said. “I agree with Carey’s first theory. Hudson isn’tthe Game Master. I mean, he wasso madabout his secret being exposed during Truth or Die.”

I nodded slowly. “Either way, we need to watch out for him. Like April said, he might sabotage all of us to save his own skin and reputation.”

“Agreed.”

April chewed the inside of her cheek as her brows knitted in a frown. “So, if we think Hudson isn’t the Game Master, then who is?” she asked. “Who’s the most likely candidate?”

The four of us turned and cast our gazes toward the others in the passage.

“If it’s out of Courteney, Maverick, Kiara, and Jasmine, I think we can safely knock Courteney out of the running,” Brooke said. “She’s pretty nice, and I can’t think of any reason for her to do something like this.”

Zach lowered his gaze to the floor and shifted his feet, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

April let out an exasperated sigh. “For fuck’s sake, Zach. Just say what you’re thinking. I won’t leap at you and tear your throat out,” she said, folding her arms. “Iamstill mad that youcheated on my sister, but I think we can put that aside for now, considering our current situation.”

Zach took a deep breath and looked up again. “I was just going to say, obviously I know Courteney pretty well, given that I… well, you know.” He paused and nervously coughed, pointedly avoiding April’s narrowed eyes. “Anyway, I just don’t think she could pull off something like this. She’s not smart enough.”

I raised a brow. “I thought you told me she was the top student in one of her classes. Geography, or something like that.”

“Well, I mean, she isn’t stupid. She does have that one good class. But for everything else, she’s just… average.”

“I agree,” Brooke replied. “She was my lab partner in chem last year, and I had to help her with everything. I’m still not sure what she was even doing in the class, to be honest.”

“So it’s down to Maverick, Jasmine, or Kiara.” April frowned again. “Or one of us.”

Brooke let out a sardonic laugh. “Yeah, it’s totally me,” she said, lifting her palms. “You finally figured it out.”

“Very funny,” Zach said, rolling his eyes. “Seriously, which of those three is the most likely?”

“Maverick,” Brooke said.

I raised a brow. “Care to elaborate?”

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