Page 44 of Deceptive Games

“What did Rivera want?”

“To sit in a circle and play duck, duck, goose. I told him we were busy,” I said dryly, frustration taking over his face.

“I mean it, man.”

“I saw you.”

“Saw me what?”

“The second that little bitch ran out of here, you chased her like an idiot. What the fuck is wrong with you? You should’vestayed inside and kept an eye on Ortega and their bitchboy. Instead, you were fighting with Donovan outside over petty shit. I’m getting sick of defending you to the crew.”

“They’ll get over it,” he shrugged, pissing me off.

“No, they won’t. If they keep questioning you, I’ll have to replace you with someone they trust. Head in the game, bro. I fucking mean it.”

“I am. I was trying to explain to Rory why she needs to stay away from the Devils,” he hissed, but I just laughed.

“I think you need to let her go. If she’s dumb enough to chase them, she deserves the broken heart they’ll leave her with. I know they fucked you up, but stop letting them get to you. It’s just pussy.”

“She’s not just pussy to me, just because that’s how you see her.”

“Fine, fall in love, knock her up, and marry the bitch for all I care, but when you’re here? She doesn’t exist in your head. That’s all I ask. Tomorrow, I need someone to deal with the prison visit. Commissaries need filling up, and Yoyo claims he has information for us. Can I trust you with that?” I asked, giving him the side-eye.

Yoyo was forty-five and had been in the crew since he could barely walk. He got the name from his constant trips in and out of prison, and he was our eyes and ears inside.

It gave him purpose too.

If he wanted to see the outside world again, he’d have to live to be one hundred and twenty.

He probably shouldn’t have stolen the guard’s gun and killed two inmates. If it wasn’t for the judge being an associate of ours, he would’ve had the death penalty by now.

“I can do that. I thought you wanted to see him though?” he asked suspiciously, and I shrugged.

“I’m backed up with paperwork. Figured it might be a good idea for you to go, so the crew see you pulling your weight. I’m happy to do it if?—”

“I’ve got it,” he said quickly, cutting me off. “Thanks.”

“Just looking out for you. I’m not your enemy,” I said brightly, hoping he couldn’t see right fucking through my bullshit.

I had a long night ahead of me if I was going to pull this off tomorrow.

CHAPTER NINE

RORY

Waking up after a late night of studying, knowing I was the only person home, was almost bliss. Until I realized I had company.

Josie was on a plane out of state for a meeting, Caden apparently crashed at Tyler’s house with Lukas and Jensen, and the staff had the day off since no one was home, other than me.

My room was dark, thanks to the blackout curtains, but I didn’t miss the shift in material as someone moved.

“Who the fuck is in here?” I demanded, hoping the fear didn’t come through in my voice.

A chuckle was followed by footsteps, the curtains opening and almost blinding me as I found Marco standing by them with a grin.

“Impressive. I barely moved.”

“Why are you creeping? Are you here to inject me with more poison, you fucking weirdo?” I asked, his mouth kicking up into a smirk.