Chapter 86
REGGIE
Song- In the dark, Bring Me The Horizon
“Shall we build her some bookshelves?” Rowan calls from the hallway, his voice echoing through the house as he moves the last of Bella’s books into the kitchen.
“Yeah, I was just thinking that,” I reply, stacking a few hardbacks on the counter.
He hops up beside them, grabs his beer, and smirks. “I did think she was gonna smack that girl with the book earlier.”
I chuckle. “I was ready to drop everything and stop her.”
“Would’ve been kinda hot,” he says.
I arch a brow. This is why they need me—Rowan fuels her mischief, I keep her from getting arrested.
My phone rings. Conan’s name flashes on the screen.
“Con,” I greet.
“Reg. I need you both at Inferno. Like. Now.”
The tone in his voice cuts through me. I grab my keys before the call even ends.
“Be five minutes.”
I hang up. “We gotta get to Inferno.”
Rowan’s eyes widen. “Lyla?”
“No idea. Don’t ask questions over an unsecure line.”
He nods, already on my heels. “Let me text Bella, tell her we’re heading to work—so she knows why we’re not here if she gets home from shopping early.”
“Good idea.”
Five minutes later, we’re pushing through Inferno’s doors. My pulse is a drumbeat against my ribs. No gunfire, no alarms. Just… normal. Too normal.
“Where’s Conan?” I ask the guard.
“By the bar.”
We exchange a look—half relief, half suspicion—and head upstairs.
The bar is calm, just the usual crowd, but Conan’s leaning against the counter with that too-innocent grin that never means good news.
“What’s the emergency?” I demand.
He laughs. “Did I say there was one?”
I stare at him. “You said, now.”
He shrugs, then pulls two envelopes from his jacket, handing one to each of us. My name’s written in Bella’s pretty handwriting.
“Before this goes ahead,” Conan says, holding up his hands, “I’d just like to clarify that I was an unwilling participant. My wife can be… persuasive.”
I frown. “Conan, what is this?”
He taps my bicep, trying and failing to look sympathetic.
“Well, I’m sworn to secrecy. But let’s just say, you’re both about to have some fun.”
I glance at Rowan. He looks as lost as I feel.
“Welcome to the Decadence Proposal,” Conan continues, like it’s the punchline to a joke. “Your games await behind the doors. Should one of you forfeit, the other becomes Bella’s groom. Should you both choose to play, the first trial is waiting for you.”
My grip tightens on the bar. My heart misses a beat. Games. Decadence. Bella.
“G-games?” Rowan stammers.
“Fuck,” I mutter. It clicks—too perfectly. She found out. And she’s flipped it.
“Bella knows?” I turn to Rowan.
“I didn’t tell her,” he says quickly.
“Neither did I.”
But, I also haven’t been careful with the paperwork in my office either.
Conan grimaces. “Yeah, it’s safe to say she knows. But on the plus side… she’s taking it well?”
I stare. “We’re screwed, aren’t we?”
He grins. “Absolutely. So, are you playing? I gotta lock the doors behind you.”
“I’m in,” Rowan says without hesitation.
I nod. “Time to play.”
Conan’s smirk widens as he leads us through the crowd to the back hallway.
“Once you’re inside, the games begin,” he says. “You know the rules by now. Life or death.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “You cannot be serious.”
He holds out his palm. “Weapons, please.”
I blink. “Come on, man.”
“She’s the game master, I’m just the messenger.” Conan says.
Rowan chuckles, handing over his blade and gun. “She got to you too.”
“I have been manipulated by all of you,” Conan mutters.
I hand mine over, grumbling. “This is insane.”
He just pats my shoulder and opens the final door. “Good luck.”
The door shuts behind us with a heavy click, the lock sliding into place.
Pink petals scatter across the floor like we’ve stepped into one of Bella’s fever dreams.
To the left—Door One. A pink heart painted over it, the number scrawled inside.
I open it. No Bella. Just a dimly lit room filled with flowers and soft light. A table sits in the middle—two glasses of whiskey, one black box, and a letter.
I pick it up and clear my throat, reading it out loud.
Welcome to the first official Decadence Proposal. Hosted by yours truly, Bella King.
Now, you can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across your little plans. Or “proposal,” as you called it. Very, very naughty boys.
Luckily for you both, Lily explained the real premise. Hence why I didn’t stab you in your sleep.
But it did give me an idea.
My heart belongs to both of you. Yet the problem remains—who do I marry?
We have two days to decide. And since you both clearly enjoy your games, I thought I’d turn that against you.
Taking inspiration from your original plans, I’ve created a competition. The only fair way to find a husband.
Conan (bless him) has given you both an envelope. Inside, you’ll find the contracts. Inspired again, by the old Decadence rules.
Not only do they bind you both to me for life, they also outline the terms. Reggie, I’m looking at you.
I’m in control here. If you can’t handle that, you lose. Sorry. I need my moment.
Once you sign on the dotted line, come find me in Room Two.
The whiskey’s for courage.
The ring’s for the winner.
What do you say, boys? Want to play with me?
Yours always,
Bella xx
For a second, I can’t move. My pulse thrashes in my throat.
She found out, and instead of running, she turned it into a war.
I’ve never loved her more.
“I wonder what she’s planned,” Rowan says, rubbing his hands together, grinning like this is Christmas morning.
I tear open my envelope that Conan gave me. The same Decadence logo we’ve used for years stares back at me. A contract, an answer to our future.
Every clause is a mirror to our games, but this time, she’s the one writing the rules.
A world where Bella is queen? It’s quite possible we won’t survive.
I skim the page, shaking my head, caught somewhere between pride and panic.
“She’s good,” I mutter.
“We’re fucked,” Rowan replies.
I look toward the next door, the one that leads to her, and can’t help the smile that creeps across my face.
Bella King, you brilliant, beautiful menace.
If this is her challenge, then fine. I’ll play.
Because no matter how many games she throws at us, I already know how mine ends.
With her name on my lips and a ring in my hand.