Page 113 of Cruel Pleasures

I was never supposed to form the obsession that I have. She was never supposed to become a constant on my mind or such a temptation I broke every promise I ever made in Asami’s memory. Somehow, I let myself get involved in a human way I vowed I never would.

How did I allow that side of me to run so unchecked?

After a night like last night, I won’t be able to shut it out. I hadn’t for Asami. Imani will be no different.

I take a step closer to the window. “You may not want to hear this, but Hurst was right. You’ll find yourself in a mess you can’t handle.”

“More reason to prove you wrong. I’ve survived all my life figuring it out on my own. My mom, my dad, my sisters, nobody was there! Lyra was the only who ever…” She shudders out a deep breath. “I’ll get out of this mess by myself. Last night I thought I could use the two of you against each other. I could manipulate you into providing me protection and I could use you to get off this isle. But that was a mistake—it made you think that I’m some… some prize of yours. I’m my own woman, Ryu. I’m always going to be.”

“You’re reacting off emotion. Despite pretending you are not. It’d be smart to pause and consider what you’re doing.”

“I asked you to go,” she says coldly. “I wasn’t only talking to Archer.”

I oblige her request even quicker than Hurst had. Though I make no attempt to slam the door any gentler.

Skulking the rest of the way through the manor, I force my mind to revert back to how it’s supposed to be. Any thoughts of Imani and what I believed we needed to discuss are stamped out. I will myself to return to my once disciplined mindset, where I operated like a permanent outsider in the world around me.

I end up going to the underground cells where we keep the players in between rounds. With only one round left, the twenty-four originals have dwindled down to six. Rook is already present, dressed in his gear, preparing for warden duties with tonight’s final round.

“There you are,” he says, jutting his chin. “Is Hurst going to show up or is he too busy fucking the Olivias and Talias?”

“Talia’s dead.”

“Does it matter? There’s how many more like her?” he grunts. “Either way, we’ve got our hands full for tonight. The seven players are gonna be at each other’s throats.”

“Seven? You mean six.”

“The Hostess said seven. She told me to give them weapons.”

He gestures to the iron-barred cells through which they’re making the rounds in the limited space. Number two paces around in her uniform, resembling a pet that’s been kenneled for hours. She might as well be.

“See those cases right there? Those are the weapons she asked us to take from the armory. Lots of cool shit in there. Even saw a mace. I’m thinking they get to choose?”

Rook expects a response, but I’m too distracted by what I’ve heard to give one. Something feels off about what I’ve learned.

I turn my back on him and stare at the large case sitting at our feet that’s loaded with the weapons from the armory.

The Hostess is up to her usual nefarious tricks.

What is it you’ve got up your sleeve?

27. Archer

Scary People - Georgi Kay

“What a pleasant surprise!” Mother cries out. She spins around on the tufted ottoman she’s seated on, beaming at me with bright eyes. “My sweet boy has come to visit me.”

I plunge both hands into the pockets of my pants, my expression neutral. “You had Jerome come by my room to fetch me.”

“A mother always prays her children won’t forget her. Many children move far, far away from their mothers. They don’t appreciate the love she has given them.”

“Did you forget the last time I was around you you tried to kill me?” I ask, my tone apathetic and bored. “Again. It’s been a common theme from the time I was a child.”

“But you’ve never moved away from me like other children. You have always remained by my side.”

“That’s because you’re a mentally ill cow that has no one else to look after her.”

“My sweet boy is all I need,” she hums. “You get that from your father. He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever known. Did you know he arranged an orchestra for us on our first date? He put together a room full of thousands of white roses just for me.”