Page 6 of Drop His Mask

He knew it wasn’t wise, but the emotions whirling through him couldn’t be tempered. He found who he was looking for.

If he couldn’t fight Jayce, he knew there was someone else always rearing to go.

Jeremy Stone only allowed him one sucker punch before hitting him back.

Julian was thankful for the mindless fight. The pain from the much larger man’s hands.

It was a needed distraction. In three days, this entire Facility was going to be turned upside down, and he had no doubt that Raven would be collateral in its demise.

Chapter 3

A Metronome

Raven

Present Day

“You’re lucky your life is tied to Levi’s. If it weren’t, I would kill you with my own two hands!”

Why was Jayce always so angry?

“Fuck, don’t let me stop you. I want to kill them myself. I’d also like to know why I am the apparent victim in this here game. What did you do Maverick? Or was it your brother? Is that why he’s hiding from us?” Levi’s southern drawl floated into my mind.

I tried to move, but I couldn’t budge. My eyelids were sealed shut and my arms and legs seemed tobe strapped down.

I opened my mouth to yell, but I couldn’t feel anything. I tried to scream through closed lips, but no sound came out.

Nothing. Just endlessly numb.

What the fuck is going on?

“We promised we would wait until she wakes up.” Maverick’s chilly voice cut through the heated anger that saturated the room.

It was difficult to tell where I was or what was going on, but my brain was slowly bringing me up to speed.

“No, you told us to do that! I don’t want to wait. The only reason I am not kicking your ass is because you saved her. But your brother? Where is he? Have him come out here, speak to me like a man. He’s acting like a disgusting coward!” I knew that Jayce’s threat wasn’t empty. That he meant to hurt Enzo.

But why? What happened? And why can’t I fucking move?

Now that the men weren’t trying to talk over each other for a moment, I finally heard the beeps piercing the room.

Slow and steady.

A metronome.

“She almost died.Again.” Levi’s voice was saturated in grief. “I, at least, am owed an explanation. I’m the reason your fuckin’ triplet is dead, why was I strung up? Why do the showrunners think I am the victim? Come on Maverick, tell me something man.”

“I don’t know.” For the first time since I had met Maverick, he sounded unsure. Lost.

“Fucking puppets! That’s all we are!” Jayce’s anger simmered over.

Memories began to roll into my mind. One after another.

Puppets.

The game. Levi not knowing why he was down there with me. The rounds slowly passing until it was just Levi and me left to play–forced togo against each other. Thinking I might kill him. How much that hurt me. Realizing that he would be winning. The grief and pain in his eyes. The love.

How did I manage to evade death this time?

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