Page 104 of Darling Wildfire
“How long have you been here, Kane?” I called.
“Year and some change I think,” he said. He ran his hand over the back of the couch. “Pretty nice digs. Definitely a step up from the cells.”
“Yeah well, welcome to Vetticus’ personalAtroxteam,” Atlas said dryly. “Only the best for his little toy soldiers.”
“How long have you all been playing?” He asked.
“What’s it been?” I looked around at the guys. “Over a year now, probably. This is our fourth game,” I answered.
“Are the maps different every time?”
Atlas nodded. “The only thing that’s been consistent is the target. It’s been the same woman. When she gets dropped off here—”
“Whoa, wait, what?” His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “She stays here?”
“Just for the night.”
“And yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking,” Preacher added dryly. “To the victor goes the spoils and all that.”
As if that was the signal, the door opened, and the guards dropped off Red. She wore the same outfit as before—a red bra and panty set. She looked around and glared moodily at us.
“Ah, always a ray of sunshine,” Nyx said sarcastically. “I would think you’d be happy to be with us again after how scared you looked at the prospect of going back to—what was his name? Kai?”
Her glare softened, and a wariness flickered across her face.
“Tell me about this other group,” I said. “Who’s Kai?”
“Kai is the leader of Vetticus’ other team,” she said quietly.
Nyx walked over to her and pushed her hair off her face. She barely held back a flinch. His knuckles brushed across an old bruise on her neck. It was mostly faded but still carried a slightly yellow tone.
“Is that where this artwork came from?” He asked.
“He’s a sadist,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Sounds charming,” Nyx said. “Nice work on your cage earlier.”
“Maybe Kai was killed this round,” Preacher said.
She shook her head. “I doubt it. He’s going to be pissed now,” she added. “You killed his second.”
“That fucker Dogtail?” Kane asked.
“Yeah, he was pretty pissed about the loss at the rail yard,” Red went on. “He talked about teaming up with the other teams to take you down.”
Nyx and I exchanged a look, and I shook my head.
“We’ll deal with that later,” I said. “Did she behave this time, Nyx?” I asked without looking away from Red.
“She did,” he walked around behind her and his hand slid around her neck, pulling her back against him. His other hand ran along her hip and settled on her stomach.
“Undress her,” I ordered.
51
NYX
My hands ran up her arms and slid the straps of her bra down slowly before flicking the clasp open.
