Page 87 of Play Dirty
His head bobs between Thiago’s thighs, whose shirt is unbuttoned, and his hand is gripping the edge of the leather armrest. His head is thrown back, jaw clenched like he’s trying to pretend he’s not there. But he is.
God, he so is.
His head lifts for a second, and I see the flicker of sadness and reverence— his features softening as he takes in Zayden’s face. His hands tremble at his thighs, his eyes hidden behind the mask as he gags on T.
My breath catches as the corruption sinks in… it’s everyone. I know it shouldn’t shock me to see the true depravity, but it does. Nothing prepared me for what I was walking into. The only thing I’m grateful for is that Nico isn’t here being used. I linger for a moment, just as Zayden looks up.
Our eyes meet.
I look away, but deep inside I know he saw me too.
The room doesn’t change, the donors continue to laugh. Thiago doesn't move; he's too focused on the man kneeling before him. Zayden just stares as I walk past them to where Brad waits.
By the fireplace and alone, he’s watching me like a spider does a fly. He raises a glass, his eyes flicking between my bare shoulders and the dark hall I just emerged from. “You saw, didn’t you?” He purrs, pushing back his dirty blonde tendrils.
I stop a few feet from him, and I don’t respond. I just watch as he takes a slow sip. “It’s always worse when it's someone you almost trusted. That’s the whole point of this place.” He uses his hand to make a gathering gesture. “You break them and build them to serve.”
He steps forward, slipping a hand behind my neck, and I still.
“You ready to serve me, baby doll?”
I bite the inside of my cheek, hard enough to cause me to wince and for blood to flow into my mouth. I clutch my bag tighter, trying not to appear too disgusted as he draws closer and inhales my skin. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” He groans into my neck, before I feel the warmth of his tongue trailing up my cheek.
I flinch. Trying to hold back the urge to vomit. He smiles at me, “So quiet for someone who wants answers,” he murmurs. “Almost makes you prettier.”
Thankfully, he pulls away, allowing me to compose myself, breathing in fresh oxygen that doesn’t smell like him. He stands by the couch and then pats a spot. I sit. My palms press into the velvet like I can anchor myself… the door remains open, and for a moment, it feels like safety when he pulls away. Then the sound of the door closing and the lock clicking in place makes my entire body quiver.
He steps closer, leaning into my ear. “You want answers, baby doll? Or do you just want to be ruined?”
My heart pounds, realizing I didn’t really think this through.
“Were you seeing June?”
He sips his drink, smirking. “If you mean fucking, yes. June was cute. Clever too. Sometimes even too clever for her own good.”
My blood runs cold. “What do you mean?”
He tiltshis head to the side, amused by my discomfort. “Women.” He shakes his head. “Always thinking they are saviors, playing with fire, and then being shocked when it burns.” He licks his lips. “What is it that you really wanna know?”
“Why did you do it?” I rip off the bandage, praying he says enough to incriminate himself and that he doesn’t notice what’s inside my bag. I just need a confession. Anything. He laughs, clapping his hand. “She found some tapes, didn’t like what she saw, and thought she could blackmail me.”
His fingers trail down my cheek as I glare at him. My body revolts against his touch. “So you killed her?”
I keep breathing. One inhale at a time, trying to stop myself from fainting.
“I didn’t kill her.” Brad finally says after an excruciating pause. “She just got… in the way.”
“Of what?” I hiss through clenched teeth.
“Of everything. Of Velarium. Of Nico. Of your daddy.” His eyes were nothing but emotionless voids of despair. “Of me.”
He sits beside me, his hand snaking around my thigh.
I don’t flinch. I don’t blink. I just keep breathing. If I throw up now, scream, or show any hint of disgust, it’s over, and I need him to confess. June died for this, maybe Asher too. I don’t know, but I’m certain Nico’s hands aren’t stained with their blood. And he shouldn’t pay for the sins of others. Even if I have to be the one who bleeds for the truth this time.
“You know what the real secret of Velarium is?” He whispers, lips brushing my jaw. “It’s not about power. It’s about proof. Every room here has eyes. Every favor recorded. No one walks away clean.” He grips my chin. “ We all bleed or we take. Shi, which one are you?”
Then he lunges for a kiss, and I turn away the best I can, but he bites down on my cheek. His fingers dig inside my mouth. I twist away, but his body isalready over mine. The more I fight, the harder he gets. “I always knew you’d break so beautifully.”
