Page 88 of Wanna Play A Game?
She takes a breath, and her gaze darts up.
I glance away, too afraid to see fear in her eyes. I need her to fully understand. I take a deep breath. “I snatch them out of their miserable lives and give them a water bottle and a knife. I make them run, and when I catch them, I beat them just like they do to their women.”
I beat them with my fists until the life drains out of them. It sends a thrill of excitement running through me just thinking about it. Which also sends self-hatred following right after.
You’re just like him, but stronger. The bigger bully.
“What about the knife?” Cali whispers, drawing me out of my thoughts.
The knife? That’s what she’s concerned about? I blink. “Sometimes they try to cut me with it.”
There’s silence. It stays silent for so long that I dare a glance at Cali. She doesn’t look afraid.
I can’t help the massive wave of relief that flows through me. But even if she was afraid, I’d still do the next thing I’m going to do. Her not being afraid makes it easier, though.
I lean forward. “So tell me who it is, or I’m going to figure it out myself. I’ll sort through everyone in your life, and there won’t be anything you, or any of them, can hide from me. And I don’t think you want that.”
Cali looks at me with those blue eyes and asks, “What will you do to them?”
“Who, shadow?”
“The ones who didn’t do anything?”
A sick sense of victory settles in my chest. I growl, “So there is someone who did something.”
She clenches her jaw shut and remains quiet.
“Why aren’t you talking to me?” I ask. Frustration rolls through me. I’m fucking all this up.
Cali looks at me and holds my gaze with anger in her own. “Sawyer told me it was stupid to show weakness.”
I grind my teeth. Yeah, that does sound like something that dumb fuck would say.
“Sawyer is a dumbass sometimes.”
“But he’s not wrong, Miles,” she says, exasperated. “I don’t know if I’m going to survive the next week. Because of your boyfriend! Why would I talk to you?”
I lean back a little. I won’t let him touch her. I told her that.
I try to keep my voice even, “Cali, I’m not going to let him kill you.”
She scoffs. “Those are pretty words, aren’t they? But when push comes to shove, are you really going to pick me over your boyfriend?”
I grit my teeth. “It won’t come to that.”
“How? What are my options, Miles?” Cali’s eyes glisten. Fuck, are those tears?
My heart cracks.
“You’ll come with us,” I say. “He’ll allow you to stay with us if you’re no threat.”
“What about getting enough points?” A tear traces down her face.
I swallow. “If Ryder eventhinksyou’ll say anything about us, he’ll hunt you down.”
“I won’t! I swear on everything.” She reaches out to grip my thighs. “You need to believe me.”
I freeze. She’s touching me. I want to reach out and hold her, but I’m afraid she’ll flinch. “I do.”
