Page 47 of Wanna Play A Game?

My hand slips with the next punch. I step back, ripping the tape off my hands. It hurts so good, but not enough. My hands shake. The ugly wants to creep in again. This time of year is always bad for me. Too many memories from the past.

You were always my favorite son. A little pervert.

I need to do something. Something to stay busy.

God, why can’t Ryder be here to hurt me and take it away?

My blood drips across the basement floor as I head to the bathroom. I leave it. I march upstairs, seeing Miles on his phone on the couch. He glances briefly at me and then back at his phone like he’s pissed.

“I called Ryder,” he says.

“Oh, good job.” I roll my eyes. “Tattling to daddy.”

Miles has the bag of meds next to him, and I grab it.

“You’re not going in there,” Miles says, but there’s none of the usual bite to his tone. It makes me pause.

“Do you need to be reminded who’s in charge here?” My dick is already hard at the idea. A good attitude check would dig me out of my feelings.

Miles stares at the phone in his hand, and his voice lowers, “Sawyer. I’m not trying to defy you.” He clears his throat. “Please. This is tearing us apart.”

I clench my jaw. The sudden emotions make me uncomfortable. The game was to make him play against me, not make him have feelings for her.

“Please what, Miles.”

“I promised my mom, Sawyer.” Miles finally looks at me, the strong lines of his face shadowed and hard. He glances back down. “I promised her I’d be a better man than my dad.”

I swallow.

You’re no better than me.

As a rule, we don’t talk about our pasts. All of us come from fucked up places, and we prefer not to dig it up. Miles doesn’t ask about my mom. I don’t ask about his.

A tumult of emotions washes up in me so strong it takes my breath away. I snap to my feet, grabbing the bag of meds. I’ll deal with this mess, but right now, I need a distraction, and I need it now. And I’m not going to get it here. I stalk toward Cali’s room.

Miles’ voice stops me.

“Promise me on your brother that you won’t hurt her right now.”

I clench my fists.

“Please.”

I grit my teeth. “Promise,” I growl and burst through the door.

Chapter 22

Sawyer

Cali scrambles up from her spot on the bed. She’s still naked. Naked and rolling in a bed that’s covered in Miles’ scent.

I stalk to her, tossing the bag on the bed and leaning over her. I take a long sniff of her skin. Ah, she’s a delicious mix of sweat, fear, and Miles. Good lord, it sends a hint of clarity through my mind.

Cali jerks back. “What are you doing?”

I straighten and rip the shirt off my head. I toss it to her. “Put that on.” That’ll cover her in my smell.

She clocks my bloody knuckles, but that doesn’t stop the fire from flaring in her eyes.