Page 98 of Vicious Queen (Princes of Devil's Creek 2)

A man I didn’t recognize moved toward the group of women. He had sandy blond hair swept off his forehead, dressed in a navy blue sweater over a white shirt and gray slacks.

“Welcome, ladies.” He flashed a cocky smirk. “Now we can get this party started.”

I assumed they were high-end escorts or strippers brought here for the occasion. They definitely were not from Devil’s Creek.

“It’s time,” Marcello said from behind me. “Let the game begin.”

“What game?”

The lights went out… and my heart sank to my stomach.

Istretched my fingers out in front of me to feel my way in the dark. Within seconds, the panic settled into my bones, and my heart raced like a speeding train.

It was too dark.

Too quiet.

The old memories came flooding back, washing over me like breaking waves. I closed my eyes, tried to blink a few times, wishing it was all a dream. My body shook uncontrollably as the past collided with my future.

The closet.

The silence.

The never-ending darkness.

My screams.

The dread.

My mom laughing at me.

You’re not so perfect now, are you?

“Luca,” I whispered. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Shh,” he said against the shell of my ear.

“You know I hate the dark. Turn the fucking lights on. Now!”

He wrapped his strong arms around me and flattened my back against his chest. “Do you want me to have a happy birthday, baby girl?”

“Yes.”

He kissed my cheek. “Then play the game with us.”

“What game?” I choked out. “See who can give Alex a panic attack first?”

Luca turned me around, so we were facing. Though I couldn’t see shit, not even his face. He could have been anyone.

Brushing the hair off my forehead, he whispered against my lips, “It’s called Capture the Queen.”

My chest tightened, nerves shaking through me. “How do you play?”

“Shh.” He tucked my head under his chin. “You don’t want the monsters to find you, my queen.”

I gasped.

I was the Queen.

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