Page 40 of Reckless Games

“I’ll let you know when we get there.” New Year's is still a few days away, and I’m not ready to think about what the end of the week will bring.

Before inviting her here, I still hadn’t decided what my intentions were. There was no countdown ticking. There was no line drawn where I’d have to make a decision.

With her newfound awareness of the situation, I fully understand things have changed. I can’t go back to watching her from afar.

I’ve had her.

She’s mine now.

If she thinks I was obsessed before, she underestimates what she does to me. Lake is under my skin and in my blood. The way she submits and responds. How she’s the first person I’ve felt safe enough to let my guard down for.

The trouble isn’t that she’s here or that she figured out I’ve been watching her. It’s that she cracked me open in the process. Now there’s a countdown ticking, and I can’t get enough when she could end this whole thing.

I respect limits and, even if I’ll push her to them, if she callsmidnightand walks away, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Cillian punches in the code that opens the doors to the North wing of the manor. Just because I give free rein to my guests while they’re here, doesn’t mean there aren’t areas off-limits. This wing is one of them, along with the hallway leading to Lake’s room. She hasn’t seemed to notice she’s the only one with access to that area, but I wasn’t going to put her with the other guests. The last thing I want is anyone watching her come and go from her room and getting any ideas.

We make our way to one of the offices, and Evan is sitting in the center with two of Cillian’s men flanking him. His wide hips barely fit in the narrow leather seat, and his salt-and-pepper hair is rustled. He didn’t come willingly.

“What the fuck is this about, Adam?”

He’s annoyed.

Irritated I’m ruining his party given the fact he’s been enjoying a few of the women here while his wife and kids visit her sister for New Year's.

His entertainment is about to become the least of his concerns.

“You know what this is about.” I stop in front of him.

He shakes his head and chuckles, starting to stand, but Cillian plants a hand on Evan’s shoulder and pushes him back down into the chair.

“We aren’t done yet.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Evan focuses his rage in his narrow gaze, pretending he’s the ruthless CEO he wants people to see. But the little things give away his weaknesses. The sheen of sweat on his forehead, his fingers white from gripping the arms of the chair. The tick of his jaw. I’m good at reading my enemies because I have to be.

Evan is scared, and he should be.

“Is this why you invited me here?” He grits his teeth. “For some sick ulterior motive?”

“Finally catching on.”

There’s a reason I never invite anyone to these holiday events twice. If they’ve only been once, they can’t get too close a look. Midnight Manor stays a mystery. A myth. A story people tell of debauchery and fun.

I give them something better to focus on so they don’t see through to the real reason I host these parties.

Everyone here is someone of my choosing, carefully selected to ensure things go exactly to plan. All but one of them is invited solely for the purpose of them enjoying themselves.All but one.And this year, thatoneis Evan Michaelson.

Cillian walks around the desk and opens the laptop sitting on it, typing something and getting to work. But I don’t take my eyes off Evan as his stare darts between me, Cillian, and the guards at his sides.

There’s something satisfying about watching a powerful man squirm, knowing I’m going to ruin him and there’s nothing he can do about it.

Cillian stops typing and spins the laptop around. On the screen is a video of Evan tied to a bed while some woman rides him. Cillian reaches over and hits a button that moves to another video of Evan bent over a table while a different woman spanks him with a paddle.

The wonderful thing about rich and powerful men is they usually have kinky tastes. Things they hide with their money or influence, while I offer them the perfect setting to explore them.

Midnight Manor is the apple tempting them to their own demise.

Evan’s jaw clenches as he watches the videos, not asking again what this is because he’s not an idiot. He’s just any other rich, kinky asshole who’s been caught in the compromising situation he put himself in.

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