Page 21

CHAPTER 20

Music pounds through the speakers, bass shaking the floor, and everything is just the way I pictured it. Noah and the boys really outdid themselves. It looks like gothic Halloween exploded in our house, even though Halloween was three weeks ago.

Black lights beam down, castingeverything in a violet glow. Skeletons hang from the ceiling. Bleeding hearts are squished into glass jars. Tombstones line the walls.

The cherry on top is the full-sized coffin. It’s even got a fake corpse inside that looks pretty damn real. At least, I think it’s fake. The whole scene is twisted and depraved, just like I asked for.

I linger near the door, bottle of water in hand, nerves buzzing as I wait for our VIP guest to arrive. I’m half expecting her to bring Brogan because it’s hard to imagine her showing up here alone. Then again, she might not want anyone to know she’s showing up here at all.

“You sure she’s coming?” I ask Seb, who’s already halfway through a six-pack.

“For sure,” he says, lifting the bottle in the air. “Not that I gave her much of a choice.”

I should probably be pissed, but I’m not. I didn’t even ask him what he said to her to get her here. Truth is, I’m just glad she’s coming.

When I first planned this party, it was meant to be a scare tactic—a way to show her how our fucked-up minds work. But at this point Avery’s seen enough to know better than to turn on us. She’s not fucking stupid. I’m actually learning she’s pretty damn smart.

Now, this party has become something else. An invitation into our world of drinking, puck bunnies, and pure fucking chaos. The kind you never want to leave, and rarely come back from.

“Remember what I said earlier,” I tell Seb. “No more fucking secrets.”

“I gotchu.” He raises the bottle to his lips and takes a swig, his trademark smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

That look says everything.

I’ve always trusted Seb and Aidric. They’re my brothers, on and off the ice. But when it comes to Avery, I feel like I don’t even recognize them. I still haven’t figured out if their motives are for us as a whole, or for themselves individually.

They said the video was for leverage, and the altar scene wasn’t planned. That it just happened when the opportunity struck. According to them, she didn’t just allow it, she wanted it. She backed that part up too, and that shit still blows my fucking mind.

I stopped them before they got into the details because I definitely didn’t want the visuals burned into my head. Had I been included and got to experience it for myself, I might be singing a different tune, though.

Fuck it. What’s done is done, but I’m keeping a close eye on both of them. And next time one of them crosses the line, I won’t be so forgiving.

The fact that Seb is standing here beside me, waiting for her to arrive, speaks volumes. Normally, he’d be upstairs in what we call The Lords’ Lair .

It’s a massive room, strictly reserved for more private festivities. The kind that involves bodies, liquor, and absolutely no rules. Some stick to the walls and watch. Others fuck, drink, and indulge in whatever sordid game is on the table that night.

The door opens, and a few more people pile in, none of which are Avery. Just as it’s about to close, it pops back open, and there she is.

I’m not sure what the hell is going on in my chest, but I chalk it up to excitement that she actually followed the rules, and not because I’m genuinely happy to see her. She’s holding a six-pack of some fruity bottled shit, her hips already swaying to the music. It seems she came for a good time.

I start toward her, but everything inside me comes to a dead stop when I see she’s not alone.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I growl, indignation ripping through me like wildfire. “What the fuck is he doing here?” I raise a hand, pressing it firmly to Benson’s chest to stop him from coming in any farther. “You weren’t invited.”

Avery’s brows knit together, but the grin tugging at her lips tells me she’s anything but confused. “Is there a problem with me bringing a friend?”

Benson stands tall like he’s not the least bit intimidated, which only pisses me off more. I dealt with this prick once before and he gave me shit. Over my dead fucking body will he do it again. Let alone in my own damn house.

“Yeah,” I spit, eyes locked on Benson. “Big problem. No unwanted guests.”

Seb doesn’t wait for a response. He steps in, grabs a fistful of Benson’s collar, and drags him toward the door without breaking a sweat. Seb’s got at least six inches on him, and twice the muscle, so Benson would be a fool to put up a fight.

“Pretty sure my boy said you weren’t invited,” Seb says, calm and collected, before shoving him out the door.

“What the hell?” Avery snaps. “He was invited by me!”

She storms after Benson, brushing off his shoulder like he’s some fragile treasure we just chucked out with no care.

Her blazing eyes lock on me. “If he goes, I go.”

I could stand my ground, prove we don’t back down from anyone, and remind them exactly who the fuck we are. Let everyone think we’re a bunch of assholes—which is accurate.

Except, I know that means I’d have to deal with Avery’s whiny ass and I really didn’t have that on my agenda for the night.

So instead, I let it go.

“Fine,” I quip. “He can stay.”

Now, he can watch Avery melt under my thumb all night while wishing he’d never come with her in the first place.

Avery flashes a side smile, pleased with herself, like she just won this round.

Seb steps aside, motioning for them both to come back in. And when they do, I’m at Avery’s side instantly.

“What the hell is this shit?” I scoff, grabbing the six-pack from her hand. I lift it up, pretending to inspect it, but really, I’m guiding her deeper into the house and away from Benson.

“My drinks.” She reaches for it, but I hold it back. “Do you really think I’m stupid enough to drink whatever poisoned beverages you psychos have on the menu for the night?”

“You think we spiked the booze?” I laugh.

She shrugs, cool and unapologetic. “Wouldn’t put it past you.” The grin on her face says she’s half kidding. But the look in her eyes says she’s not.

I pluck one bottle from the cardboard ring and hand it to her, fingers brushing hers just long enough to make sure she knows it's intentional.

“Whatever keeps you satisfied,” I murmur, watching her closely.

Before handing it over, I hook my thumb under the cap and pop it off with a flick. The scent snakes up my nose and settles in my chest, burning like a memory. I inhale once, temptation gnawing. The craving is still there. But I know better. I’ll never go down that path again.

Seems Seb’s got Benson handled since neither of them are in sight. Probably his way of having my back after the shit he and Aidric pulled. He’ll spend some time making it up to me, and eventually, I’ll forgive the fucker. Because that’s what we do. We screw up. We clean it up. And we move the hell on.

I walk Avery farther away and into the kitchen, stopping in front of the fridge.I drop her now five-pack inside and snatch up another bottle of water because I’m not sure where the hell my other one went. Since I don’t drink anymore, it helps keep temptation at bay when I have something to hold in my hands at all times during parties like this.

After the fridge door shuts, I press my back against it while Avery stands in front of me. She’s close, almost too close, but still not close enough.

I watch as she lifts the bottle to her mouth. Her top lip dips inward, bottom one resting on the rim. She tips it back slightly, letting a shot’s worth slide past her tongue.

I lick my own lips, jaw tight. I’m not sure if it’s the booze I’m thirsty for, or her mouth. Probably both. And right now, I’m not sure which one would ruin me faster.

“So,” I say smoothly. “What’d Seb do to convince you to come?”

“Oh, you know,” she begins casually. “Threatened my life, my mother’s life, and basically told me he’d burn the world to the ground if I didn’t come.” A glint of a smile plays on her lips. “I figured any party with those stakes had to be worth showing up for.”

Her mother’s life? That’s odd. Seb doesn’t know anything about Avery’s family, and definitely not about her mom.

Unless…

That rat fucking bastard went digging. My jaw tightens. Of course he did.

At least Avery’s not pointing the finger at me this time. I shove the thought aside, refusing to let this ruin the night.

I force a laugh, waving my hands out like I’m presenting a masterpiece. “Well, now that you’re here, what do you think?”

Her eyes sweep the kitchen, taking in the bodies that are packed in under the same black lights in the entryway and living room. She smirks. “I could’ve done better.”

Savage. But somehow, it makes me smile wider. Of course she couldn’t just admit it’s impressive. That’d be too easy.But, honestly, I wouldn’t want her any other way.

“Hey,” she says, voice low, pointing her bottle at me like it’s loaded. “I don’t know if it’s the booze or the vibe in here, but I, umm…wanted to say thank you.” She pauses, then smirks. “And just so we’re clear, this is probably the only time you’ll ever hear me say that.”

I lift my brows, hands to my chest. “Thank me? For what?”

“The other day, in The Chamber,” she says, eyes glancing away for just a second. “I know you had no idea what you were walking in on. And I swear, I really was fine.” She lets out a breath, half a laugh, half something heavier. “Well, as fine as someone can be after being shown a video that could destroy their entire life. But I was fine. You didn’t know that, though. And you…” She shrugs, her voice dipping softer. “…rescued me. I guess.”

My shoulders tense. I’m not used to this non-feisty, almost vulnerable version of Avery. And, honestly, I have no idea how to respond. We don’t thank each other. We don’t apologize. Hell, we barely hold conversations without a verbal knife in one hand.

So instead of overthinking it, I just mutter, “Don’t sweat it.”

Because more than anything, I want to forget that whole thing ever happened. Every time it’s brought up, it drags something I don’t want to admit to the surface. That maybe I do carry some residual feelings for this girl. And that maybe, just maybe , I don’t really hate her at all.

“I should go find Benson,” she says, already turning away.

Before I can stop myself, my arm is shooting out in front of her. “Wait,” I blurt, sharper than I intended. “Why’d you bring him here, anyway?” She pauses, but doesn’t look me in the eye. “Come on now, Avery. You had to know it wouldn’t go smoothly.”

Her walking into my house with him lit something up in me I didn’t expect, and I need to know if she did it to hurt me, or to piss me off.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She shrugs, cool as ever. But I know. I see the smirk playing on her lips.

“Benson’s a good friend,” she adds. “We have fun together. Does that bother you?”

Ah. There it is. She’s flipping it. Turning the spotlight on me now. Maybe that’s why she brought him. Just to see if I’d be jealous.

“Not at all,” I lie. “Don’t really care much for outsiders, but the more the merrier.”

“Bullshit,” she scoffs.

I shrug, playing it off. But she’s not letting it go.

“I’m an outsider, Callan. Yet, I was forced to come. And you can drop ‘the more the merrier’ crap. I know better than that.”

“You’re not an outsider,” I say, plain and simple. “Not anymore.”

Her head pulls back, brows knitting. “Then what am I?”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “But whether we like it or not, you’re a hell of a lot closer to us than anyone else in this house.” I hold her gaze. “And that makes you anything but an outsider.”

“Hmm.” She tilts her head, thoughtful. “Guess I didn’t see that coming.”

I nod. “Yeah. I didn’t either.”

A beat passes.

“But here we are. No road map in hand.”

Her expression shifts in an instant, brow furrowed. “Hey. Why’d you tell Sebastian about—” she begins, but before she can finish, Aidric steps in between us, cutting her off.

“Slade’s looking for you,” he says, eyes locked on mine.

Fuck. Slade must be spiraling again. I should probably check on him and make sure he’s not toeing the edge of self-destruction like last time.

“All right,” I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair.

“Don’t worry,” Aidric adds, taking Avery’s empty bottle and handing it to a random passerby. “I’ll take care of our girl.”

Wasting no time, he slides his hand around her waist, his expression smug like he’s daring me to react.

And just like that, we’re back to reality. Back to the game.