Page 9 of Poisoned Pawns (The Gamemakers Trilogy #1)

Pierce Darington-Ecstasy & Unknown

Leaving the sports center, I throw my bag into the trunk of my white Beemer, climb in, and head off campus to grab some shit for tonight.

Driving down the highway, strumming my thumbs to Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m the Problem’ blasting through the speakers as I get off at the exit for Daggerspoint.

Making a left at the light, I pull into Cyprus Auto and flick my headlights twice.

Two men step out of the shop that I’ve never seen before.

One has long black hair with a scar on his face and the other has white hair, and both are filled with tattoos.

I swallow thickly as they shake hands, staring at me with narrowed eyes.

Finally, Bishop comes out, patting the white-haired man on the shoulder.

Rolling down my window, as he approaches, I reach in my pocket for the cash I need to hand to him.

“Hey, Bish. You coming tonight?” I ask him as he slides a baggie into my lap and takes the money from my hand.

“Nah, not tonight. I gotta meet up with this girl.” He smiles, and I shake my head.

“Ah, I see. Who is the lucky lady of the week?” He looks back at the man with the scar as he walks to his Audi.

“His daughter, Hazel Roselli-Rivers,” he whispers.

“Oh, shit. The King’s daughter? Are you insane?” I whisper- shout.

“I might be. Our families go way back, practicallygrew up with her and her three brothers,” he says, and my eyes go wide.

“You are definitely insane, but hey, if you need backup, you got my number.” I laugh.

“Yeah, yeah. See you soon, Waterboy.” He smirks, and I roll my eyes.

Putting my car in gear and backing out of the shop.

I get back on the highway and text Warren to let him know I got the goods and I’m heading towards the institution.

I’m actually excited about hanging out with Vee tonight.

I don’t know what it is about her that has me drawn to her, but I’m dying to figure it out.

Warren has been wanting to introduce me to her, but every time he gets around Millie, they are so enamored with one another that the outside world becomes invisible.

Last time I saw her was at the frat party a couple of weeks ago.

She was there dancing with the football pricks one minute and gone the next.

It was like she was never there. Tonight, though, I’m scooping her sexy ass up before anyone else can and will show her a good time–show her I’m not like the other guys around this school.

My phone pings and I take it out, seeing it's a message from Desmond. Clicking it open, I read it.

Desmond:

You going tonight?

Me:

I am

Desmond:

Good.

Me:

Why?

Desmond:

Just asking.

Me:

Interesting.

Desmond:

Why is that?

Me:

No reason.

Desmond:

Mhm. Well, let me know if you want to play, Pretty Boy.

That nickname gets me hard every time he uses it.

My relationship with him is complicated.

I want more and he doesn’t. Does it hurt that we have to sneak around when we want to be together?

Yes, it does. I’m secure with my sexuality.

I love men and women equally, and don’t need to hide that fact about me.

Do I flaunt it? No, no, I don't. It’s none of anyone's business, and I like my life to be private.

Pulling off the highway, I turn down the completely darkened dirt road that leads to the institution.

Word on the street is that a girl who was locked up there lost her mind and blew up every single doctor, nurse and guard that worked here with a red balloon filled with some shit that blew up in their faces and caused their deaths, then she let all the patients free.

She got away with it for a long time. I'm not sure what happened beyond that.

Some say she moved on and lives in the area.

Some say she died along with the nurses and doctors.

What I do know is that this place is creepy as fuck, and sometimes when the wind hits the right way, you can hear giggling down the halls.

Chills race up my spine just thinking of it as I finally make it to the front of the rundown asylum and park next to Warren's truck. My phone pings again as Warren comes to the window.

“Yo man. Did you split it up yet?” he asks, and I shake my head as I glance down at my phone.

My brows furrow as I see the name ‘Unknown’.

Placing the phone down, I grab the baggie and spill out pills before he has a conniption.

Popping one in my mouth, I take the beer he is holding and wash the little tab down.

“Here,” I tell him, handing him both the baggie of his pills and the beer. I fucking hate the taste of beer.

“Thanks, the girls just arrived,” he says, nodding over to the fire burning just to the side of the building.

Getting out, I grab my phone and read the message waiting for me.

Unknown:

What would Ivy say if she knew she’s already been in your bed without her knowledge? Eyes are always watching.XOXO-Checkmate B*tches

What the fuck? I don’t have time for these childish games.

Closing out my phone, I tuck it in my back pocket and follow Warren over to where the girls are drinking around the fire.

Walking straight for Vee, our eyes collide as I take her in.

Damn, she’s hot in her little skirt and boots–them long legs I’d love to wrap around my neck are on full display tonight.

I wink at her just to watch the blush creep up her neck and into her cheeks.

“Hey, Vee,” I say nervously. She giggles, but smiles up at me.

“Hey, Pierce. Want a beer?” she asks, but I shake my head as I step into her space, reaching around her for the bottle of Crown.

“Touche,” she says as I twist the top off, bring my lips to the rim, and take a huge gulp, never taking my eyes off of her as she licks her lips, watching me.

This girl is going to make me do things I don’t normally like to do.

I’m not a huge kisser. It’s too intimate and I don’t like to feel.

Not after what happened the last time I did.

I only kiss those I really care about and yes, Desmond is someone I care so fucking deeply for, but I don’t think he feels the same way.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks, stepping closer as she takes the bottle from me.

Her fingers graze mine and a spark runs up my arm.

She brings the rim to her mouth, tipping the bottle back and taking a swig.

She hands the bottle to her friend and licks her lips.

Leaning down, she takes a deep breath as my cheek grazes hers.

“Wanna go take a walk?” I whisper gently in her ear.

“Yes,” she pants, gripping my hand. I take a hold of it and spin her around as we head towards the front steps, climbing them and walking through the front door.

Years of abandonment have left this place smelling of mold and sulfur.

Stepping deeper into the hallway, we pass through the first set of doors, then make a left down the hallway where she pulls me to a stop, and I press her against the peeling wall.

“I rarely kiss, but your lips are enticing,” I growl before smashing mine against hers.

She moans, and I deepen the kiss, massaging my tongue along hers, tasting her strawberry lip gloss.

She pulls the bottom of my black tee closer to her, pressing her hard nipples against my chest as she bites my lip.

“Fuck, Vee. You wanna play a game?” I ask her, and her eyes go wide but blow with lust, want, and need.

“Depends. Does it involve me cumming tonight?” she moans as my hands cup her big tits, rolling my thumbs over her hard peaks.

“It does, but what if I told you I’m into guys too, and I’d love nothing more than to watch you and him sucking my cock?” I ask, waiting for her to run, but she shocks me and grins.

“Only if he’s hot and I can watch the two of you first,” she suggests, and my eyes widen in shock. She’s fucking perfect! Now, to get Desmond on board would be a treat! I’d be the luckiest man alive to have the best of both worlds.

Taking out my phone, I scroll to the thread I have with Desmond and shoot him a text.

Me:

you here?

Desmond:

Just got here.

Me:

Wanna play?

Desmond:

Where are you, Pretty Boy?

My dick twitches in my jeans.

Me:

My rules. No questions asked! Do you still wanna play?

Desmond:

Like I said, where are you?

Me:

First floor to your left. Second room down.

Placing my phone back in my pocket, I pull her away from the wall and quickly move down the hall and enter the second room. She takes out her phone and reads a text, rapidly responding as I wait for Desmond to arrive.

“Everything okay?” I ask, and her head snaps up to me.

“Yes, I was just letting Everly know I was inside with you,” she says as my phone vibrates in my jeans. Taking it out, I open the thread, thinking it’s Desmond again, but it’s not. It’s the unknown prick again.

Unknown:

Multimedia image click to open.

Clicking the image, I swallow thickly as I see Vee laying in my bed, sound asleep. Shutting off my phone and sliding it into my pocket, I look up and see Desmond standing in the doorway as he stares at Vee, who is already staring at him. Clearing my throat, they both look at me.

“Do you guys know each other?” I ask, and he snickers.

“Of course we do. He’s my best friend's twin brother.” She laughs as he growls. Well shit.

“So is that a no to playing this game?” I ask, waiting for them to both run. But they don’t, shocking me for the second time tonight. They stare at each other as Vee leans back against the wall, challenging him. He rolls his eyes and shuts the door behind him.

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” she smirks as he walks over to me, but never takes his eyes from hers.

“You want a show, Spitfire?” he growls, gripping the back of my neck as his eyes collide with mine.