Page 4 of Deceptive Games

I let them argue for a while, then Skeeter turned to me, irritation on his face.

“Would you like them to come and get you?”

“No.”

“She said no,” Skeeter said, replying with a chuckle. “Guess rich boys don’t always get what they want. She’s had a rough night, Holloway. Leave her be, I’ve got her.”

“Give me the phone,” I sighed, holding my hand out and waiting for him to do as I’d asked, before pressing the phone to my ear. “I’m fine, and I won’t leave with you if you show up.”

“What happened tonight, and why are you even being nice to that asshole? He said some fucking horrible shit to you,” Caden demanded, and I could imagine the scowl that was probably on his face.

“The shit you did to me was worse, and look at me being nice to you,” I cooed, taking a drag of my cigarette and blowing it out.

“We apologized for that. I highly doubt Skeeter Maddox even knows how to apologize.”

“If privileged little rich brats like you can figure it out, I’m sure he can. He’s an asshole to keep me safe, you were an asshole for your own amusement.”

“Just come home, please. If something happened tonight, let me help you instead,” he said gently, and I shook my head as if he could see me.

“Tonight is Skeet’s kind of thing, not yours. I’m fine, promise, just let me crash here tonight without bothering me.”

Skeeter shot me a warning glance to keep my mouth shut, but he didn’t say anything.

I wasn’t okay, but I was safer here.

What if Slash decided I’d fucked his crew over and they came after me? Would Skeeter protect me, or follow orders?

Skeeter took the phone back and snapped something at Caden before hanging up, taking my cigarette and putting it out in the ashtray.

“Murder lesson one-oh-one. Come to terms with what you did so you can move on from it. You were backed into a corner, it could've been life or death. Killing him meant you got out safely, so it’s warranted,” he said firmly, resting his arms on the table to lean forward. “Liam was a bad guy, no loss to society. Do I need to continue?”

“He was still a person,” I scowled, and he moved to sit beside me, resting his palm on my knee.

“He was a monster, Aurora. Do you know how many sick and twisted things that man has done?”

“Probably as many as you.”

“Doubtful. It would take years for him to catch up to my sins,” he grunted. “Seriously, you need to detach your emotions from the situation. You had no connection to him, so you’re not sad he’s dead, you’re just freaked out because you’re the one who did it. I can kill someone without hesitation, and it doesn’t haunt me because I’m immune to those emotions you’re feeling right now. Don’t cry for him, he’s not worth it.”

“Isn't killing a monster just turning me into a monster?” I asked quietly, trying to process his words.

“Better to be a monster at the top of the food chain than one at the bottom, don’t you think? I don’t want you turning into me, you’re better than that, but if you’re going to get through this, then you need to block it all out and channel your inner psychopath, okay? Don’t attach your emotions to it,” he answered, holding my gaze. “Let the guilt go or it will eat you alive. You want my guys to respect you? Don’t act like a little bitch, don’t rat anyone out for anything, even if it saves your own ass, and be a little cold-hearted. I don’t want you around them, but I know if you’re in trouble and I can’t get to you, Dieselwould. He didn’t try to fuck you when he stopped by to check in, did he?”

That made me chuckle, some of the darkness in my mind vanishing.

“I just killed someone and you’re worried about your friend trying to sleep with me?”

“I don’t care about murder, but I care about my guys sticking their dicks in you. I’m not supposed to like you, Rory. For starters, you’re seventeen and living in a rich man’s world.”

“I’m not a child.”

“I know, Tristan Holloway and your father made sure of that,” he muttered, making me shrug.

“What do they have to do with you and me?”

“You’ve got enough bad shit in your life already. You don’t need me adding to it. Diesel’s right, you know? Bringing women into our world is just asking for trouble.”

“Then why can’t you stay away from me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and making him snort.