Page 2 of Seductive Sadist

“What the fuck?” I shove him back with a grunt, my pulse exploding against my neck. How the hell did he find out? “Kickoff is in three minutes. We need to get the hell into the tunnel. We’ll talk later.”

“No more talking.” He creeps closer to me. “You don’t scare me. Neither does your fucking thug-ass family. You don’t get to just take what you want because of your last name.” He shakes his head and lets out a sharp laugh. “Always so fucking entitled because people kiss your ass wherever you go. But Skyla’s different. She’s better than you. You don’t deserve her.”

“That’s none of your goddamn business.” I grit my teeth, gripping my own helmet tight. But I let out the breath I’d been holding. He knows… about Skyla.

And he’s right. She is better than me.

That’s why last night never should have happened.

Skyla and I both have goals.

Hers is becoming a surgeon.

Mine is making it to twenty-five without a hole blown through my skull because of shit my family has done. Things I’ve done. Things that haunt me like persistent little fucker demons who make sure I never forget they’re there, lurking in the dark corners of my mind. Little voices that remind me of my past, always looping through my mind.

I need to get the hell away from this place or else I’ll end up just like the rest of my brothers. Last night locked my future in place, and football is the only thing that’ll break me free.

“You would ruin her. I know who and what you are, Zak. I know what you do. And I’m telling you right now to stay the hell away from my sister. I might not have guns or knives or fucking rocket launchers or whatever the hell else your family keeps stocked in their underground arsenal. But I have the power to crush you… when you least expect it.”

“You’re nothing without me.” A rush of anger floods my insides. “Before I came around, you had nobody. I gave you a life, fuckhead. I put you on the goddamn map. I worked your ass off on the field to make you the player you are. I’m the reason why the scouts are looking for you to be their newest rookie left tackle. Don’t you forget it, Ky. I made you.”

My blood boils, my insides on the verge of combusting.

“You’re an arrogant son of a bitch who doesn’t give a damn about anyone but yourself.”

I suck in a breath. “Nice to finally know what my best friend really thinks of me.”

“Best friend, my ass. Your ego is choking me to death right now.” His eyes narrow. “Maybe someone needs toprickit.”

He pushes past me and shoves the double doors open so hard, they slam on either side of the wall. Without a look back, he stalks in the direction of the tunnel.

I scrub a hand down the front of my face.

He wouldn’t get this angry if we were just talking about Skyla.

The next few minutes fly by in a blur. I run toward the tunnel and take my spot up front. Kylian usually runs out next to me.

Tonight, he’s at the back of the line, his eyes dark with hatred.

I stick my helmet on my head and lead the charge onto the green turf field. A surge of electricity usually surges through me at this point before a game—a mix of excitement, anticipation, and an insatiable thirst for glory.

But tonight, the audience’s screams are muffled by Ky’s caustic words. My own knee-jerk response echoes between my ears. Those words were like the sharpest weapons. I can’t ever pull them back. I didn’t even mean them. They flew out before I could suck them back in.

The damage has been done. So much more than anyone knows.

And judging by the hatred twisting Ky’s expression, I don’t think it can be fixed.

I violated the code. Crossed a line.

Worse, I broke his trust.

I go to the center of the field with the opposing team’s quarterback, my mind in overdrive. I stare at the coin as the referee flips it into the air. When it lands on the back of his hand, he looks at me and points.

Home team ball.

I stand there, staring at him until Coach Reeves gives me a shove.

“Let’s go, Zak. It’s all you tonight. Do what I know you can do.” He slaps me on the shoulder pad and looks at me. “It’s all waiting for you. All you gotta do is take it.”

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