Page 169 of Deviant

“It’s done, Roe. You did it. You can let go of the knife now,” I say softly, the sound of the hunting knife clattering against the tile floor echoing in the room.

“I didn’t do anything,” she replies, her gaze locked on mine, a mixture of disbelief and relief shining in her eyes as she realizes it’s finally over.

“It was your hand on the handle. Not mine.”

“A loophole.” She smiles. “Just like with Abbie and her brooch.”

“Exactly. You gave me the idea when you helped her out. I just followed your lead. It’s like you said… we still have a choice.”

“We still have a choice,” she repeats, her gaze falling to my lips.

The pain in my arm is nothing compared to the agony I feel from not being able to kiss her.

“We should talk… after… I mean,” she says, biting her lip.

“If by talking, you mean fucking, then yes, we definitely should.”

And when that pink hue appears so bright on her cheeks that it successfully hides her faint freckles, I groan.

“Go back to your seat, Roe. We still have a game to play.”

But instead of rushing to her seat, she leans in and presses a chaste kiss to my cheek.

“Thank you.”

My chest feels like it’s been cut wide open from the tender look she gives me before getting off my lap and walking back to her seat. I take a moment to collect myself, ignoring the catcalls and applause directed at me for enduring a little nick to my arm.

That shit will heal.

My heart, that’s a different story.

“I wonder who’s next?” Mackenzie asks to no one in particular.

“If they follow the order, I’m guessing Larsen,” David responds.

Yeah, I think so too.

But when my watch doesn’t go off, and Chris’s does, I’m as confused as everyone.

“What does it say, Chris?” Harper asks, but he only shows the text to Big Mike sitting beside him.

“Oh shit!” Big Mike spits out like he just read the funniest thing. “This is going to be good.”

Chris gets up from his seat and makes a beeline to Rowen.

I lean forward in my chair, not liking this one bit.

“What is it, Chris?” Rowen asks him sweetly, using that calm voice of hers.

“It will be quick, I promise,” he starts saying.

“What will be quick?” she counters, confused.

“Remember, this is just a game. None of this is real, okay? I’d never hurt you. You’re my friend.”

“Chris, you’re scaring me,” she says as he takes her by the hand and leads her to the center of the room.

“Don’t be scared, Rowen. Remember, it’s just a game. I’d never hurt you. You’re my friend,” he repeats like he’s stuck in a loop.

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