Page 58 of Tangled Lies

“Dirty, huh?”

When I expected to see her perfectly mischievous look falter, instead I saw something downright evil flash over those deceiving features of hers.

“Isn’t that how you all play? Ronan, don’t tell me that kissing me where Carrow would find us wasn’t just a game. The way Jett needed me in his lap where everyone could see? I haven't seen Knox in action yet, but Talon?”

She reached up and ran a finger down my chest, and fuck if the shirt didn’t seem way too thin. Except Ronan grabbed her hand and spun her around, pinning her wrist behind her as he grabbed the other to face a similar fate.

“What do you know about playing dirty? You’re nothing but a little pawn for your uncle, aren’t you? Just the little bird locked away waiting for him to give you attention. You show up for a marriage with a man who not only has so many little whores he can’t remember any of their names, but a man who would leave you to pay a price. A far higher price than any pretty little untouched girl should pay. So tell me, Margaux,” Ronan said and paused, “what do you know about playing dirty?”

I couldn’t see her face, but Knox could. He watched her as she stood in Ronan’s arms as he hunched over her to keep her wrists locked behind her.

She didn’t struggle. Didn’t pull her wrists out from his hands. She wasn’t fighting him at all.

“I don’t, not yet. But I do know I have something everyone wants. Don’t I?”

I glanced at Jett and Knox and back at Ronan, who still wasn’t looking away from his captive.

“And what is that, Margaux?” Ronan asked.

She seemed to move closer to him. I couldn’t decide whether the fact she was allowed to or the fact she wanted to was more shocking.

“My trust fund. Everyone just wants whatever money is there. I’m worthless otherwise. I’ve never been delusional enough to think it was me. No one. Not even my supposed betrothed wants me. But that’s okay. How about you fuck me, and maybe, just maybe, one of you sorry sacks of shit will get my trust and I won’t even fight it.”

What the hell was even happening?

“So are we skipping cards then?” I asked, breaking the silence from the gallery of shocked brothers.

She still hadn’t looked away from Ronan, and I was starting to think she matched his scary energy pretty damn well.

“You want cards? Fine. Little boys, grab a card. Same rules. Highest card gets me tonight.”

I scratched my head before picking up the cards she’d dropped when Ronan had grabbed her.

“Wait. Tonight?”

Finally she looked over her shoulder at me.

“Well how can I decide who gets my trust fund if I don’t know who’s better in bed? So yeah. Let’s start tonight.”

She turned back to Ronan.

“You all aren’t afraid of a little competition are you?”

“Fucking hell, pretty girl. You did not just tell Ronnie you want to compare dick sizes for us, did you?” Jett’s voice was an octave lower than a moment ago.

A second passed, and Knox was the one to cut whatever this sexual tension was.

“Alright, angel. Fine. But just know we’re already aware of each other's dick sizes, and I don’t think you’re going to be able to pick just one of us.”

Ronan let her go and she shook out her wrists.

“Little bird, you think you can make us fight each other for pussy?” Ronan asked.

She took a step back and ran into me. I had the deck of cards in one hand and now her shoulder in the other.

“You asked if I could play dirty,” was all she said.

Ronan stepped closer.