CHAPTER FOUR
Az
I watched Victoria from the corner of my eye. It was clear from how she hovered just over the threshold that she was struggling with herself. Her eyes flitted between the five of us as if she wanted to let her gaze linger but refused to allow herself to do so.
"Sit, Princess." I ordered, breaking out of my theatrics from seconds before. "Join the game. You might learn something."
"No, thanks. Not my scene." She grimaced.
"I wasn't giving you an option. Sit. Now." I said between gritted teeth. I motioned toward one of the chairs. She glared at me, a stubborn glint in her pretty brown eyes that would have gone straight through my core if it had been anyone else. "I'm not going to tell you again."
"Ms. Bristol?" A voice said, coming from behind her as a man stepped out from behind the wall. "Are you going to be okay here?"
"She's gonna be fine, chief. She's in good hands now, so you can go." Craig said, turning around and eyeing her escort. There was a sneer in his voice as he spoke.
The man ignored him, touching Victoria's elbow. The all-too-familiar gesture made me want to shoot him where he stood.
"I'm fine." She spoke, giving the man her full attention. "If they try to harm me now, my father will know it's them and make them pay. I'm sure they know what's good for them and intend to behave."
She said it with such confidence. The boys and I exchanged glances before we burst into collective laughter. Her cheeks flushed a gorgeous red that caused my cock to twitch. My laughter died with the reaction, but I painted on a smirk to cover the irritation I felt about it. After a couple of seconds, while I was still fighting to keep the look on my face, Rich leaned back and gave her escort a pointed glare.
"Clear out. It'll be the last chance you get before it becomes a problem. The Princess is fine." He crossed his arms over his chest and stared a challenge at the peon in the foyer.
The man gave Victoria's arm a squeeze and mumbled something as he moved to walk away. She nodded before turning back to us.
"Damn right…" Leighton said. His meaning was evident as he gave her a once-over. " Les choses que je ferais, petit démone… " I slapped him on the back of the head, earning a snicker from him. "Come on, girlie. We can roll you up a character…" He gave her another obvious once over. "You strike me as the type to play a houri ."
His tone dripped with innuendo, and my hand twitched to slap him again, but I didn't. I slid my gaze back to her and allowed myself to truly take her in for the first time. She stood in the foyer with her head high, that defiant glint in her eye that made me want to grab her by the hair. The reasons why were at war in my mind. Of all the people on earth, it had to be her...
Her long, curly brown hair was piled atop her head in an updo, but tendrils of curls escaped and caressed her neck and shoulders. Her form-fitting wine-red dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and the ruching on the sides accentuated her full figure. Ties on the sides exposed the creamy skin of her thighs, tickling them whenever she moved, and knee-high boots in a soft-looking suede completed the look. I had to tear my eyes off her and hated myself for it. I was going to burn that outfit. I schooled my features and gave her a mean smile when I was back in control.
"I think I'd agree with you, L. She definitely looks like a houri, but I'm not sure we need that in the party."
"I may not speak nerd, but I know an insult when I hear it." She scowled. "I don't feel like playing your little game and being insulted while I do it. I'd much rather turn in for the night." Anger radiated from her as she turned on her heel and stormed toward the master suite.
"Let her go," Rich ordered as Leighton moved to follow her. "It's not like she's going anywhere. First thing tomorrow, she's on lockdown until we figure out what she's up to. Nobody in, and she definitely doesn't go out."
"Fine by me," I said through gritted teeth. I needed to work this shit out of my system, and looking back at the table, I wasn't in the mood for the game anymore. "I'm gonna wrap for the night, boys. I need to hit the gym for a bit. Leighton, it's your turn to clear the minis." I jotted down everyone's initiative scores. "We'll re-do the save rolls next time."
"I want to check out the cameras, anyway." Craig said. "Daddy-O wasn't exactly forthcoming with their locations and I wanna make sure we're covered from all angles."
When I finished wrapping up my stuff for the session, I left everything at the table and headed for the gym. We'd explored the house just enough to familiarize ourselves with the layout and pick our rooms when we arrived. I hadn't had a chance to take in the gym setup before we settled into our game.
The space was filled with calisthenic equipment and not much else. It was apparent it had been fitted out for someone who preferred running and yoga over weights, and I couldn't help but snicker at the thought of Daddy-O in some hippy pose. Still chuckling to myself, I made a beeline for the treadmill. It was state-of-the-art and had clearly been upgraded shortly before the house was abandoned. I preferred a punching bag, but a run would have to do until I could have my equipment installed.
Stripping down to my boxers, I hopped onto the treadmill and started it up. My room was on the second floor, and I didn't see any reason to change into workout gear when there wouldn't be anyone else using the space. I kicked up the speed and incline until it required my complete focus.
"Oh, that looks like fun!" Leighton called out from behind me, nearly causing me to stumble.
He jogged past me, tearing his clothes off as he sped toward the elliptical.
"What the fuck, man?" I demanded, lowering the speed on the treadmill.
"I don't have my workout gear." He shrugged as he shucked off his boxers and climbed on the machine, completely nude.
"Watching your dick swing around wasn't on my agenda for the night." I groaned. "Your pasty ass isn't exactly motivational."
"I bet I can think of someone's who is." He snickered. "All those pictures didn't do the princess any justice." He turned to the side, the elliptical posing no issues as he kept his pace and faced me. "And judging by the way that vein in your head is about to explode, I'm not the only one who noticed."
I slowed the treadmill to a stop before turning it off and turned to him. When I didn't come up with a denial fast enough, he started laughing, causing the muscles in my jaw to twitch. I stalked the few feet over to him, and my fist connected with his chin. He stumbled backward off the machine.
"Is that right? Oh, you got it bad, my man." He laughed, his hand going to his face.
"Put your fucking boxers back on. I need to hit something." I said, anger boiling through my veins. He smirked at me, the excited glint lighting up his face at the prospect of fighting.
"You just did."
"Repeatedly. Now, get up so I can kick your ass."
"Your funeral, bro." He was on his feet, faster than most people would expect him to move. I tried to move, and his fist caught me in the side. He smirked as we moved to a more open space and ran through the paces. Tomorrow, this room was getting a proper outfitting, so we didn't end up killing each other.