Page 16 of Deceptive Games

“Why not? You’ll only piss off Caden and make Josie uncomfortable.”

“Exactly.”

“Now who’s a brat?” she grumbled, following me downstairs to the kitchen to make sure I behaved myself.

The chef eyed me suspiciously as Rory asked them to make us breakfast, and she scolded me when I continued to stare right back.

“Stop being a creep and sit down, I’ll make you coffee.”

“How about you lie back on the table and let me eat you for breakfast instead? Might save the chef some time,” I said while still looking at the chef, his eyes finally averting from me.

I hoped I made him uncomfortable. What if somehow Max had gotten to him before leaving? The guy might try to poison her.

It was best if everyone who worked here was scared of me.

I sat at the table, leaning back in the chair to get comfortable, and my eyes tracked everyone that entered the room. I’d never been here when the staff were, it was usually only when there were parties or when the house was quiet.

My gaze flicked to Rory as she started carrying two coffees towards me, and I carefully slid an arm around her back and eased her onto my lap once she’d put my coffee down.

“What are you doing?” she asked with amusement, happily getting comfortable on my lap without argument.

“You don’t want to sit on my lap?” I raised an eyebrow, teasing the nape of her neck with my fingertips.

“I didn’t say that,” she smiled, leaning in to give me a quick kiss before reaching for her coffee. I grabbed mine, keeping an arm around her to make sure she stayed put, and I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips when Caden walked in in his uniform and halted when he saw me.

“Morning, Holloway.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded, glaring at the chef as he started bringing plates of food out from a concealed second kitchen behind a door. It was way too much. Pastries, fruit platters, eggs and bacon, even a variety of juices. “Taking advantage of my money, I suppose?”

“Normal people offer breakfast to their guests.”

“You’re not my guest. When did you get here? Lukas crawled out of her bed at midnight. Did you guys switch shifts or something?” he huffed, and Rory flipped him off.

“He’s my guest, asshole.”

“Aren’t you coming to school?” he bit out, snatching a pastry as the chef hurried to make his coffee. It was hilarious to see people scampering around for him, it wasn’t like he was scary.

He was just a spoiled brat.

“No. I’m hanging out with Skeet today.”

“Of course you are,” he muttered, his gaze flicking towards the hallway door as Josie entered. She did a double take at seeing me, and I didn’t miss the worry that flashed in her eyes.

I couldn’t blame her, I wasn’t exactly the type of guy you brought home and everyone welcomed.

“Good morning, Josie,” I said politely, ignoring the dirty look from her son as she blew out a breath.

“Good morning. Skeeter, is it? Could you put a shirt on?” she asked, the chef instantly bringing her a coffee that he must have made with Caden’s.

At least she thanked the staff and smiled at them in appreciation, unlike Caden, who was in such a piss-poor mood, thanks to me, that he barely acknowledged them.

“I’ll just finish my coffee, then we’ll get dressed,” I answered, and Rory wriggled on my lap as she leaned forward to snatch some fruit.

“Hey, Josie? I’m going to spend today with Skeet. Can you email the academy and get them to send me the work I’ve missed?”

“If you’re not at school, you’re staying home,” Josie said firmly, but Rory snorted.

“I won’t lie to you. If you make me stay home, I’ll only sneak out later. I’m grateful that you give a shit about me, but pleasedon’t start locking me up here out of fear. No one will hurt me when I’m with Skeeter.”