Page 190 of Kissing the Villain

“Welcome, ladies.” He handed them black and gold carnival masks with a cocky smirk. “Now we can get this party started.”

The girls slipped the masks over their eyes without complaint. I assumed they were hired pros brought here for the occasion. My gaze went back to Kali. Damian pulled a mask over her eyes while Bastian fixed it into place, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

A man cleared his throat beside me.

Luca lowered a mask over my head from behind.

“It’s time,” Marcello said in that deep, sexy voice that glided along my skin like a melody. “Let the game begin.”

As Luca tugged the mask over my eyes, the lights went out… and my heart sank to my stomach.

67

ALEX

Cloaked in darkness,I stretched my fingers out in front of me. The panic set in within seconds, and my heart raced like a speeding train.

It was too dark.

Too quiet.

Old memories came flooding back, washing over me like breaking waves. I closed my eyes and tried to blink a few times, wishing it was all a dream. My body shook uncontrollably as the past collided with my future.

The closet.

The silence.

The never-ending darkness.

My screams. The dread.

My mom laughing at me.

“Luca,” I whispered. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Shhh,” he said against my earlobe.

“You know I hate the dark. Turn the fucking lights on. Now!”

He wrapped his strong arms around me and flattened my back against his chest. “You want me to have a happy birthday, baby?”

“Yes.”

He kissed my cheek. “Then play the game with me.”

“What game?” I choked out.

Luca turned me around so we could face each other. Though, I couldn’t see shit, not even his face. He could have been anyone.

Brushing the hair off my forehead, he whispered against my lips, “It’s called Capture the Queen.”

My chest tightened, nerves shaking through me.

“How do you play?”

“Shhh.” He tucked my head under his chin and held me against his chest. “You don’t want the monsters to find you, my queen.”

A gasp escaped my lips.

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