Page 62 of Vicious Games

"Have you seen the coffee pods?" I blurt out. My brain misfires without the glorious brown liquid, and at this stage, I'm just hoping for some answers. Once I put the instant coffee in my body, it's game over for anyone who even looks at me wrong today.

"Nope," he says carelessly.

I start making a cup, banging everything in sight as I prepare the world's worst cup of coffee. It even smells like garbage when it's done.

Taking a sip, I resist the urge to vomit, forcing myself to drink it for the benefit of everyone else. I figure if I drink it quickly, I can get it over and done with before my brain and body can fully realize the trauma I'm going through.

I make a gurgling sound as I swallow the last drop, dumping the cup in the sink. The bitter taste sticks to the back of my throat and I'm doing my best to fight the icky feelings when Zayn walks in.

The first thing I notice is the playful grin he gives me. The second is the bag in his hand… full of coffee pods.

"Are you motherfucking kidding me?" I hiss, looking at the bag.

Zayn looks at the bag, feigning confusion. "Did you need one? I just had to borrow them. Blake asked me to take them upstairs… for research purposes."

My gaze snaps to Blake, who smirks. "Just wanted to test your limits. Ash told us to make sure the coffee machine was untouched since you liked it in the morning. He didn't say anything about the pods though."

"You're an asshole," I snap at him.

"I am," he agrees. "So, what?"

I flip my finger at him, storming out of the kitchen. Those bastards are just collecting strikes against them. I'm frustrated because I'm disadvantaged here. I can read Asher, I know what makes him tick and how to make him push boundaries. But these guys… I know nothing about them. So, how could I even take or give dares to them when for all I know, they are psychopaths with a desire for destruction?

Asher is coming down the stairs as I reach the foot of them. He looks at me, his eyes lighting up.

"Rylee. Where are you going? Let's go get a coffee."

"I can't," I growl. "Your brother took it. So, I'd appreciate it if you would shut your mouth about me when talking to them."

He grabs my arm, halting me on the steps. "They took the coffee?"

"All the pods. Because ofyou."

"I asked them not to," he responds.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well. They obviously get off on tormenting souls. So, stop being so stupid. Hurry up and sort out the rules of the game now so we can get this over and done with."

Asher pulls me back down the stairs. I yelp, stumbling as I feel the coffee swishing in my stomach. "What now?!"

"Fine! You want to sort this out now, then we're sorting it," he says, dragging me into the kitchen.

Zayn and Blake look up, taking in Asher's grip on me and my extremely obvious pissed off expression.

"Right," Asher says. "Listen the fuck up. We're going over the rules of the game. I don't want you involved but I don't have a choice. So here's how it's going to go down. So help me God, if you pull any bullshit or touch her, there will be hell to pay."

Chapter twenty-four

ThecarparkofWheelsis oddly quiet with only a few bikes loitering around. I'm getting better at distinguishing the different ones, spotting Butch and Vito's bikes straight away.

I can't help glancing around when I step out of the car, my eyes drawn to the spot where I was pinned to the ground. Thankfully, there's no Norsemen here, confirmed by Butch before I got in the car to come here. I'm reckless but not stupid. I still have some sense of self-preservation so I've decided my poker games will be placed on hold for a little bit, at least until I know I'm not going to have a gun pointed at me again.

I step inside, noting the mostly empty bar. Volts is behind the counter, wiping it with a rag, while Butch and Vito sit in a booth.

Volts notices me first, throwing down the rag as he rushes over from the bar.

"Ry!" he yells, barrelling into me. I'm pulled into a hug, my ribs crushed by my lanky ass friend.

"Hey, Volts," I laugh.

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