Page 75 of Playing Dirty

Madden: Guess that means you’ll have to make it up to me.

Me: Can’t wait ;)

Madden: We’ll see if you feel the same way when you find out what I have in store for you.

A little zap of lust hits me in the stomach while reading his message, and I’m sure that was part of the reason he sent it. At this point, the anticipation to get my hands on him again just might kill me, but I have no doubt it’ll be worth it.

Wyatt really does manage to wrangle well over half of the team for tonight’s raid over at Blackmore, and as we all pile out of the half-dozen vehicles driven to their campus, there’s an intoxicating buzz in the cool winter air. And while I’m slightly annoyed about missing out on the naked time I was supposed to have with Madden tonight, I’m still glad Icame—even if I might freeze my dick off in the process.

Of course, when I realize we’re parked only a block away from Madden’s place, a twinge of guilt hits me square in the gut again. I hate thinking about him sitting at home right now, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing instead.

An idea about sneaking over there during the raid—or even after we’re done—starts to form, but then I remember I rode here with Phoenix, and it disappears just as quickly. There’s no way I could get away without raising his suspicions.

“We look like a bunch of spies,” Sawyer says, pulling me from my reverie.

Glancing around at everyone decked out in all-black outfits, I can see where he’s coming from. We do look an awful lot like a group of guys ready to head out on a heist.

Phoenix chuckles while zipping his jacket higher. “I think that’s why Holden is so pissed I wouldn’t let him come. He doesn’t get to play secret agent.”

“Not our fault the football team doesn’t have anything this cool,” I chime in.

“That’s whatIsaid,” my roommate says, shooting me a wry grin.

“Okay, okay. Come on, guys, shut up so we can get going,” Wyatt says, gathering us around as best he can. “We’re gonna break into teams by vehicle, that way if a quick escape is needed, no one is left stranded without keys or a ride.”

“He really planned this shit out, didn’t he?” Phoenix mutters to me under his breath.

Unfazed by the commentary, Wyatt continues talking, assigning each group a designated building to search tonight. I have Phoenix, Cooper, and Sawyer with me to tackle Falcon Hall—the main lecture hall with a bunch of classrooms on the upper floors—which shouldn’t take very long if wesplit up.

The adrenaline in the air is palpable now, and it keeps growing as flashlights are passed around to everyone. But then a walkie-talkie is thrust into my hand, making me glance up at Wyatt like he’s lost his goddamn mind.

“Really, Wy? This is a little overkill, don’t you think?”

He frowns. “How else are we gonna communicate?”

“There’s this thing all of us already have called a cell phone. Which is a lot quieter and already has a team group chat in it,” I remind him.

“But what if you can’t check your phone? You’ll hear this no matter what,” Wyatt supplies in a very matter-of-fact tone.

Phoenix nudges me with an elbow before whispering, “Just let him have this one.”

I wave him off as Wyatt goes back to rattling off information for all the guys gathered around.

“All the buildings should be unlocked. The pennant won’t be behind a locked door, so don’t waste time on those. Spread out as much as you can to cover more ground, and make a rendezvous point for when you’re done. Flashlights only, if you can help it, but be thorough. This thing could be anywhere, even the bathrooms.” He aims a pointed look at a few of the freshmen who’ve yet to experience a raid. “And whatever you do, don’t get caught.”

One of them, Leo, looks ready to shit himself when he asks, “We’re not gonna get arrested if we do, right?”

Wyatt chuckles and shakes his head. “As long as you stick to the rules, no. This game might be school sanctioned, but that doesn’t mean the guards can’t be dicks if they catch you snooping around. So if they spot you, run like fucking hell back to the car and alert the rest of us.”

With everyone attuned to the game plan, we quickly disperse with ourrespective teams. Wyatt’s group heads off toward the main admin building, quickly disappearing across the lawn into the night along with Tripp’s crew, planning to raid one of the smaller classroom buildings. The team led by our catcher has already made themselves scarce, having been the first ones to break off to hit the law quad, and our first baseman has taken his group to the science building. That just leaves Jesse—our closing pitcher—and me to lead our groups.

“See ya,” he whispers before heading off in the direction of the business school.

I lead my guys down the pathway toward Falcon Hall, my senses heightened in the darkness.

Pushing open the door to the main lecture hall, I usher Phoenix, Cooper, and Sawyer through, then let it gently fall closed behind us. Our shoes squeak over the tile floor, the sound echoing through the empty, dimly-lit hallways in a way that has goosebumps prickling across my skin.

My hand finds the walkie-talkie hooked on my jeans, and I quickly call our position through to the rest of the guys.