Page 103 of Role Play
“Shoot me,” I say. “I’ve never been hit before. Does it hurt really bad?”
The dumbass falls right into the trap. “Aw, is that why you surrendered? You don’t want to get shot? Calm down, Barbie. I’m not going to hurt you.”
I comply, casting one last glance at Forrest’s hiding spot. I can’t see him, but I can practically feel his tension radiating from here.
As Brody marches me toward the tower, I secretly assess my surroundings, noting potential escape routes and cover points. The tower is a three-story structure with a spiral staircase leading to a platform at the top. Randy waits there, looking smugly triumphant as Brody pushes me onto the landing.
“Welcome to our humble fortress,” Randy says with a mock bow. “Where are your friends hiding?”
I shrug innocently. “No idea. We got separated.”
“Right,” he scoffs. “Taio! Forrest!” he hollers out. “We’ve got your girl! Surrender now, and maybe we’ll go easy on you!”
Silence answers him.
“They’re probably regrouping,” Brody suggests.
“Or they abandoned her,” Trevor says, appearing at the top of the stairs. “Not that I blame them. She’s deadweight.”
I bite my tongue, reminding myself it’s just a game and these are boys being boys, but come on.Deadweight?Rude.
“Jax is keeping watch on his perch,” Trevor continues. “No sign of movement.”
Randy nods, satisfied. “Perfect. Once we pick off Taio, Hawk will be easy. He’s too busy worrying about his girlfriend to make any forward moves.” He whirls on me with a condescending smile. “No offense, sweetie, but you’re a liability out there.”
“None taken,” I reply cordially. “But I am curious about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you reserve hotel rooms or are you perfectly comfortable bringing women home to your mama’s basement?”
Trevor snorts with unexpected laughter, which he quickly disguises as a cough when Randy glares at him.
“Funny,” Randy says flatly.
“Oh my god, I was kidding, but it’s true isn’t it?” I cackle mercilessly. “You live with your mom?”
“You won’t be laughing when your team is doing their walk of shame on camera,” Randy sneers.
“Speaking of cameras,” Brody says, pulling out his phone, “let’s document this moment.” He points the camera at me. “Feel free to unclasp those overalls and show a little more skin, honey. We’ll be sending this to your boyfriend.”
He’s lowered his paintball gun to hold his phone. How interesting. Trevor, too, has relaxed his stance, as if I’m clearly not a threat. Even Randy has turned partially away, scanning the field below for signs of Forrest and Taio.
Silly rabbits. Full of tricks today.
In one fluid motion, I drop to the floor, roll, and come up with my weapon aimed squarely at Brody. I fire before he can react, hitting him point-blank in the chest.
“What the—” Randy spins around just as I swing my aim toward him, firing again. The paintball catches him on the shoulder, bright yellow against his black gear.
Trevor raises his weapon, but he’s too slow. My third shot hits him on the mask, temporarily blinding him as paint splatters across his visor.
“Sorry, boys,” I murmur, backing toward the stairs. “Liability, hmm?”
Randy wipes furiously at his shoulder, his face contorted with disbelief. “You conniving little?—”
“I dare you to finish that sentence,” Forrest’s voice booms from behind me. He stands at the top of the stairs, paintball gun raised, Taio right behind him.
“Looks like our damsel rescued herself,” Taio observes with obvious delight.
