Page 127 of Dance With A Devil
Moments later, Ryan’s voice cuts through the tension. “What the fuck is this? Oh my God, are you assholes hiding behind those masks?”
I almost tell her to shut her fucking mouth before I let Wells rip open her boyfriend’s secrets, but I don’t. Not yet.
I step forward. Voice low. Cold. “Ryan. Fred. Thank you for what you did tonight. But we’ve got something to handle with Athens now.”
Fred’s face twists with concern. “No way. Do you even know what she’s been through tonight?”
Wells steps in, calm and brutal. “We do. That’s why we’re here… to make her forget.”
Fred stares up at him, all challenge. “Athens, girlie, you say the word and we’ll stay.”
Athens turns toward her girls, eyes soft and grateful. “I’ll be okay. Tonight meant everything to me. But now… I need this.”
Fred hugs her tight, whispering something only Athens hears. Ryan hesitates, but she nods.
“Okay, but we should do this twice a week. That room is a-”
“Fred,” Dash cuts in.
“Huh?”
“Shut up. Go.”
They scurry off with half-hearted protests.
And then it’s just us.
And her.
“You didn’t have to be so mean,” Athens giggles, high and glowing like a forbidden star. “What’s with the silly costumes?”
“Silly?” I echo. “We’ll see who’s laughing when it’s your screams echoing through the trees.”
Her eyes flick from Devil to Devil. Her lips part. Her fingers toy with a strand of hair as her hips shift, sway, an unconscious invitation.
She’s ready to play.
I raise a hand. “Karter?”
He leans in, his voice a threat laced in silk.
“Run, Brat.”
She freezes. Then grins. That feral, fuck-me grin we all love.
And then she bolts.
Out the front door, into the dark.
White tank top flashing like bait across the lawn.
“Alright boys,” I grin beneath my mask. “That’s our cue. Give her a head start, she doesn’t know the grounds like we do.”
“This is gonna be fun,” Wells mutters, already at the door.
“She’s running into the woods,” Dash observes, cocking his head. “Why the hell would she go there?”
“Because it’s her fantasy,” I answer without hesitation.
