Deadly Little Games

Prologue

Freya

T here’s one rule in Daring: don’t cross over the train tracks unless you’re looking for trouble. I’ve never been one to play by the rules, and that’s probably why my best friend lives on the other side of the tracks, in Daringville, and why I’m sneaking into one of their parties yet again. I love gate-crashing them and the thrill that comes from the possibility of getting caught at any moment.

When you live on my side of the tracks—Daringhood—you are just a peasant. You do all the dirty work that those elite from Daringville don’t want to do. It fucking sucks. I once vowed never to come here again after what they did to my mother, but now, twelve years on, the pain doesn’t sting as much as it once did. I’ve grown to accept it—because we finally have an escape plan. I may as well have some fun before we leave.

My brother, Alec, eases his car out of the trailer park, hitting the gas. The farther away we get from the place I call home, the more I can breathe. If I had to spend another second inside that shit hole, I would have gone crazy or had to deal with my high mother, and I have better shit to do with my time. I spend enough of it looking after her ass.

I just want a night out. To be somebody else for a little while.

I pick up my blonde wig from the passenger-side floor and place it over my brown hair. Pulling down the shade visor, I use the mirror on it to pin my fake locks in place. It’s like putting on a mask, a new identity, and I fucking love it.

“I’m still not happy about you going to this party in Daringville. Why can’t you just go to one of the joint parties?” Alec sighs, shifting gears.

I hold back the urge to roll my eyes. We’ve already had this conversation tonight and I’m over it. “I’ll be fine. How many times have I been to them? And I always come back. Why are you so worried all of a sudden?”

He lets out a heavy breath. “I’m always fucking worried about you, Frey—you know this. I’d lock you up in your room if I knew you’d actually stay there and not pick the locks in twenty seconds.”

I laugh. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be with Amirah, and I can take care of myself.” Lifting my phone out of my pocket, I find a text from her telling me to hurry my ass up.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful?” Alec asks, and I nod.

“You know I will,” I say.

“I’ve got something to tell you, and don’t freak out, but?—”

“What?!” I cut him off. “You got in, didn’t you?!” I scream, and Alec laughs.

“You know me too well, Frey. Yes, the scholarship for Bexley College got accepted.”

I squeal, leaning over the console and wrapping my arms around Alec. The car swerves before he rights it again and pushes me away, laughing.

“Oh my God, this is so exciting. You have to come with me to celebrate tonight. Please,” I beg, settling back into my seat. I can’t believe it—this is our ticket out of here. We can start fresh and get Mom on the straight and narrow.

“I can’t, I’m meeting someone,” he says, and I frown, turning to face him again.

“Who?”

“Someone from Daringville,” he admits.

I take in a sharp breath. “What the fuck?”

“Don’t fuck this up for me. She’s cool, and you’ll approve once you meet her, but not tonight,” he says, and I scoff.

“We’ll see.”

Every girl my brother has ever dated I’ve had a problem with. They are either too bitchy, rude, or just don’t even acknowledge me. They are never good enough for my brother; he deserves the world.

“What’s her name?” I ask, hoping he’ll tell me so I can find out everything about her from Amirah.

“Uh, Mia,” he says, and I nod.

“So when can we leave?” I ask, staring out the window, watching the dark streets zoom past.

“We’ve gotta save up a fair bit of money. It’s not a full scholarship, and I got early acceptance so I can choose when to start. It might take a bit, but we’ve got a one-way ticket out of here and a chance to give Mom a fresh start.”

I can’t wipe the smile off my face. This is something worth celebrating.

We spend the rest of the drive in comfortable silence. I love my brother. He’s one of my best friends and the closest thing I have to a real father. We’ve always had each other’s backs. As we are only a year apart, I’ve followed him around since we were young. It’s always been us against the world, but the older we get, the more time we spend apart. He’s got his shit and I’ve got mine.

Alec pulls his car off the main road, hitting the dirt track. The trees tower over his car on either side the farther we drive. He stops at the end of the road just before the massive silos. I lean over the console, pressing a kiss against his cheek and rustling up his mousey-brown hair. He swats me away, laughing.

“Text me if you need me and I’ll be there,” he says, and I nod.

“Love you. Bye,” I reply, opening my door, sliding out, and slamming it shut before he can say anything back.

The beams of his lights illuminate the path, leading me through the trees until I finally reach the fence. I quickly crouch down and slip under it, entering a spacious paddock. I love this part—when his headlights disappear down the road and I’m left alone in the pitch-black night, my heart racing as I anticipate a boogeyman lurking nearby. I can feel the weight of the knife in my boot as my hand glides over it, ready for any situation. Bring it on, anyone who dares to come out of the shadows.

I grab my phone and there’s a text from Mom. My stomach sinks. The words are a jumbled mess, a reflection of her chaotic state of mind. I send Alec a text to check on her when he’s done with the new girl. I need a night off from all the drama at home.

The cool night air whips my hair back from my face, and I pull my sweater tighter around my body. I lift my phone up, pressing call on Amirah’s number. She answers within two rings.

“Where the hell are you, babe?” she says, and I grin .

“Just coming through the paddock, about to hit the train tracks. Are you on the other side?”

The darkness gradually gives way to a lighter hue, revealing massive spotlights shining down from above the tracks.

“Yep, hurry. The coast is clear, but we don’t have long,” she says, then hangs up.

I swiftly slide my phone into the back pocket of my denim shorts and increase my pace. The closer I get, my heart races and the excitement grows, just as it always does. This is what I live for—the thrill, that feeling that builds from the pit of my stomach. With a burst of energy, I sprint the last few feet, coming to a halt just as the paddock comes to an end. The grass brushes against my calves, sending a tickling sensation up my legs. I turn my head to the left and then to the right, taking in the sight of the train tracks that stretch endlessly in both directions.

It’s dead silent. All I can hear is the rustling of grass, and I can just make out the shadow of a body pressed against the wall of the train station building where guards usually patrol. I scan the tall fence, my eyes searching for any signs of bodies hanging from the wire, but thankfully, there are none tonight. Thank fuck.

Amirah kicks off the wall, waving me over. She probably distracted the guards by sending them to get something for her. She’s got that kind of pull in Daringville. Her family is high up in the ranks. The Ledgers were some of the first people to settle in Daring before the founding families divided everything.

With one final breath, I take off running, the gravel crunching beneath my boots, and I don’t stop until I crash into Amirah on the other side. I hug her so tight I feel like I might snap her in half .

“I’ll never get tired of watching you run for your life,” she says. Pulling back, she takes my hand and we are off once again. I sneak a glance back at the train tracks and then at the paddock beyond, a smile spreading across my face.

“You know how much I live for that shit,” I say, then giggle.

“Yep, come on. You need to get out of those shoes and into something a little more Daringville.” She lets go of my hand and presses a button on her keys, and her expensive-as-all-get-out car lights up the quiet car park. Once we’re inside, I can finally breathe again.

“Your dress and shoes are in the back,” Amirah says, her dead-straight, long black hair falling gracefully behind her ear.

I grab the bag of clothes from the back seat, feeling the weight of it in my hands, and eagerly unzip it to discover a stunning black sequin dress. I squeal, yanking it out. “This is perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I say, reaching in to find a matching pair of sparkling pumps.

“That’s what best friends are for, and as always, you’ll fit right in. You know I’d be lost without you, and I’m always grateful we secretly rekindled our friendship because no one gets me like you do,” Amirah says.

“Aww, are we having a moment?” I playfully tease, and Amirah’s laughter echoes through the air.

“But in all seriousness,” Amirah says, her grip tightening around my hand, “if anyone catches me sneaking you in here, it won’t be pretty for me.” She doesn’t have to spell it out for me; I know what’s at stake here. If The Brotherhood found out, she would pay. I’ve seen the bruises that line her stomach, and it kills me that she’s risking that for me .

“I don’t want you to get into trouble with them. I can go back,” I say, and Amirah laughs it off.

“No, fuck that. You’re already here and they don’t know. Let’s just let our hair down and have a good night.” She revs the engine before we fly down the road, heading toward the private estates.

A few cars drive past, but I’m safe now with Amirah. Well, not completely, but the hard part of sneaking over the tracks is done. I’m ready to unwind and let loose, leaving all my worries behind for the night.

While I struggle to put on my clothes, my heart races as Amirah takes a sharp turn, the sound of tires squealing filling the air. My groan is met with her infectious giggle, and she immediately reaches over to turn up the stereo. “Escape” by Kx5 plays, and I bob my head along to the beat.

After kicking off my shorts, I shimmy down the dress until it covers my ass. I shove my clothes back into the bag, throwing it on the back seat. Slipping my feet into the heels feels like slipping into a second skin—a perfect fit.

When I flip down the mirror, I see my blonde wig in disarray, strands sticking out in every direction, so I quickly readjust it, carefully arranging my bangs. The wig sits right above my shoulders in a cute bob. It’s totally different from my long brown hair, and that’s the whole idea. I’m unrecognizable here. No one questions Amirah—especially not me, her best friend from upstate.

After driving for a few more minutes, we finally come to a halt just outside the exclusive private estate. Amirah winds down her window, letting in a rush of fresh air as she presses in the code and watches as the black wrought-iron gates slowly open. There are a couple of security guards lined up, and some patrolling the area, and they wave us through .

Even though I was born and bred in Daringville, Amirah’s house still stuns me. Instead of the familiarity of home, it’s like entering a lavish five-star hotel. A tingle runs down my spine as the three-story mansion comes into view. These mansions may have beautiful exteriors, but behind closed doors lurk the deadliest of individuals, using their wealth to manipulate and acquire whatever they desire as members of The Brotherhood. They run the whole town of Daring, no matter where you’re from.

Amirah isn’t like them. She’s different. She thinks it’s bullshit, the divide our ancestors created after the gang war between the rich and poor. They thought this was the solution—a peace treaty. The Brotherhood was formed, and they made a pact to divide Daring into two parts, resulting in where we are today. There are still riots from my side when gangs try to take more than what their birthright affords them, but nothing ever gets out of hand. The Brotherhood won’t let it.

The closer we get to the house, the more fancy cars are parked off the main driveway—cars that cost more than the whole trailer park.

Amirah pulls into the garage and parks next to a familiar deep-red Range Rover. My stomach flips. Is he going to be here? It is his house, too, but I’ve never seen him at these parties.

“It’s time to fuck shit up. Are you ready?” Before I can even answer, Amirah jumps out of the car with a huge smile on her face. Determinedly, I trail behind her, closing the distance as she rips open the garage door, granting us access to the house.

The booming thump of bass pounds in my ears, drowning out all other sounds as I firmly shut the door. The house is totally crowded. The massive foyer is cast in darkness, illuminated only by the flickering strobe lights. Everyone’s dancing around me as I move through the crowd. A few even rub their bodies against mine, and I itch to dance—after I’ve had a little drink.

I push past this chick with two guys hanging all over her and follow Amirah into the kitchen by the entrance. It’s brighter in here, and I can see properly now. The kitchen is so spacious that it could easily fit my entire trailer. The shiny marble wrap-around countertop is cluttered with bottles and bags of coke. I wrinkle my nose—feels a little too much like home.

I eagerly accept the sealed bottle of vodka from Amirah, and with a grin, I twist off the lid, releasing the familiar scent of alcohol. With each sip, the liquid ignites a trail of heat down my throat until Amirah abruptly grabs it from me and takes an enormous gulp.

A shiver works its way up my neck as I feel someone staring at me. I look out into the crowd and come face to face with a familiar set of mossy-green eyes. His black wavy hair peeks out of his back-to-front baseball cap. It’s been twelve years, but I’d know his dark hair anywhere—it’s exactly the same as Amirah’s. I lick my dry lips, casting my eyes down his body. With his loose-fitting gray T-shirt and black jeans, his tattooed sleeves are on full display. Gage Ledger is a full-grown man; he’d be about twenty-two now a year older than me. I shouldn’t let him have this kind of power over me or my body.

When I look up at him again, he scowls and grabs a blonde chick who’s walking by. She fights to get away from him, but when she recognizes him, she stops and wraps her arms around his neck. As he leans in close, his eyes remain fixed on mine, his tongue tracing a path along her collarbone. My thighs clench and my cheeks warm. Without looking, I snatch the bottle from Amirah, but I can’t hear what she yells. I bring the bottle to my lips, swallowing until it’s taken away again.

As I’m locked in a staring contest with Gage, the sharp snap of fingers grabs my attention, breaking our eye contact. I give Amirah a look, and she shakes her head.

“Excuse me, were you checking out my brother?”

“What? No!” I scoff.

“Good. He’s bad news, Freya. Surely you’d remember that, after everything that happened.”

“I know,” I say, taking a drink from the bottle. “I’d never touch him.”

“Good, ’cause no one can know who you are—remember what’s at stake,” Amirah says, taking the bottle from my hands, and I nod.

“And who’s this? You didn’t tell me you’ve got a new friend, Amirah.” His deep, gravelly voice goes straight to my core. Down, girl.

He steps right in front of me, and his earthy aftershave makes me forget for a second that he’s a complete asshole. He’ll remind me any second now. His intense gaze follows my every move, causing my heart to pound against my ribcage. Does he recognize me? He was only thirteen and I was twelve when I last saw him. It’s been too long since I’ve been this close to him. He had grown up so much that I almost didn’t recognize him, making me doubt if he would remember me.

Amirah rolls her eyes. “Piss off, Gage. Leave us alone.”

She takes my hand and drags me into the crowd. The weight of his gaze lingers on me for the next couple of hours as we dance, laugh, and continue to drink. My head and body feel light, and I forget everything that’s going on in my life. It’s perfect .

Amirah disappears in the crowd, and I realize I’ve got to go to the bathroom. Badly. Pushing my way through the throng of people, I finally reach the stairs that lead up to the bedrooms. I waste no time and bound up the stairs, taking them two steps at a time. Moans and the sound of a headboard smacking against the wall come from Amirah’s bedroom, and I smile. That’s my girl.

I make it down the dark hallway, reaching the bathroom between her room and the guest bedroom, but there’s a line. Great. I cast a glance down the other end of the hallway, toward his room. There’s no one down there because they know the rule—don’t go near Gage’s space—but I do like to play with fire, and besides—I’m about to pee myself. It’s an emergency.

I sneak past the staircase and walk up to his door, pressing my ear against it until I’m certain no sound is coming from inside. That’s the last thing I want—to walk in on him balls deep in someone else’s pussy.

I check one more time to make sure no one’s watching, then I open the door and disappear inside.

Someone neatly made Gage’s bed with luxurious, silky black sheets that would cost more than my entire closet. The walk-in wardrobe door is ajar, giving a glimpse of the meticulously organized clothes inside. Nothing is out of place. It’s very clinical.

Shaking my head, I move toward the other door into the bathroom where I take care of business in record time. I lock eyes with my reflection in the mirror, taking a moment to fix my blonde wig.

The bedroom door creaks open, and I freeze. Oh, shit. It slams shut, and my heart races against my chest. I frantically scan the bathroom, searching for any possible escape route or hiding spot. There’s no window—just a god damn skylight. Rich assholes. I could lie down in the bathtub, but he’d see me straight away if he walked closer. The door handle turns, and I move like a light is up my ass, diving behind the door.

He goes to the bathroom and heads straight for the toilet. He zips down his jeans, freeing his cock, and I can’t keep my eyes away as he wraps his hand around his length. I’m meant to be getting away. Remember, move your ass. I sneak by the door, about to bolt.

“I wouldn’t run if I were you. I do love a good chase.”

I jump and spin around as he quickly puts his cock back in his jeans and washes his hands at the sink.

“Well, I’m a fast runner, so good luck with that,” I say, then I do exactly that and run.

I barely make it out of the bathroom before he’s breathing down my neck and grabbing me by the waist. I squirm under his grip, trying to pull free, but it’s useless. He’s too fucking strong. I give up, and his breath tickles my collarbone.

“Keep fighting me, baby. Keep rubbing that tight body on me. Gets my cock so hard,” he says, running his tongue along my nape, and my body reacts, wanting more.

No, you hate him, remember? He’s one of them. Remember?

“That’s the only way you get women, isn’t it?” I ask, finally finding my voice, but it comes out all hoarse. Damn it.

He flips me around, shoving against my chest until I’m falling. I hit his bed with a huff, then he’s towering over me. His hand grips my throat, and I’m done for. Heat pulls between my thighs, and he smirks, causing his sexy-as-fuck dimple to appear.

“Let’s see how much you don’t want this. Shall we?” he says like he’s asking for my permission—but he’s not. He never would. He’s that kind of guy.

His fingers glide up my inner thigh, going higher and higher until he reaches my lacy underwear. He pushes my thong to the side and runs his finger along my slit. I close my eyes and he growls. I shouldn’t—damn it, I so shouldn’t. But it’s not as if he knows who I really am. He’d never guess it was me. The thrill of it all—what if we get caught? What if I bring the Prince In Training of Daringville to his knees? —is too much to refuse.

“Eyes open and on me. I wanna watch when you come apart,” he commands, and my eyes peel back open.

I want to tell him to fuck off, to get off me, but the words are stuck in my throat and my pussy wants this. Just take what you need from him, then leave . When two fingers push inside me, his thumb rubbing against my clit at a rapid pace, there’s no turning back.

My eyes stay on his as he makes me climb higher and higher. My legs shake and I’m about to come. I squeeze my eyes shut, ready for the release, but he pulls out and I glare up at him.

“What did I tell you?” He smirks, placing his fingers in his mouth and sucking them clean. Fuck, that’s hot.

“Just shut up and fuck me so I can go,” I snap, pushing up to my elbows, ready to leave. This was a mistake. I can’t do this. What was I thinking? “Actually, you know what? I’m leaving. This never happened,” I say, glancing toward the door.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He pauses, smirking. “Freya, from the hood.”

My whole body locks up. He knows. Who the hell told him? I’m fucked. Shit. I need to leave. Now.

I roll off the bed and run toward the door, but he’s on me, grabbing my shoulder and shoving me until my back hits the wall. Pain slams into me and I groan. He looks down at me, the corner of his mouth lifting, causing his stupid dimple to appear. Why does he have to be so hot? It’s always the assholes that get the good looks.

“Nothing happens in our town without me knowing about it. How did you think you’d been getting past the railway tracks every time, hmm?” He laughs. “You didn’t think you were just that good, did you?”

I swallow hard, wanting to punch that smug look off his face. Of course, he fucking knows. How foolish of me to think Amirah could pull one over her brother. That I could get over the tracks without them knowing about it. He’s the heir of Daringville with the other two guys he’s always with—they’re next in line to rule over the entire Brotherhood.

Before I can open my mouth, he yanks up my skirt, pulling down my thong until it sits at my feet. His jeans drop to the floor and his hard cock springs free. I lick my dry lips.

“There’s no way I’m having sex with you after that. I’m leaving,” I say, pushing off the wall, but he pins me back, his hand wrapping around my neck, and he brings his other one up to rest over my racing heart.

“You want this—the way you look at me with those hood-rat eyes. I see right through you,” he says, biting into his deep-red lips that I want.

“Pfft, if you really knew me, you’d know I’d rather fuck a hood rat over you any day of the week,” I say, pursing my dry lips together.

“Liar.”

He grabs my pussy, running his fingers over my soaking-wet lips. Damn it. We don’t want this.

“Your body never lies,” he says, and I hate to admit it, but the asshole is right—that traitorous bitch.

He leans forward, pulling a condom from his pocket. Ripping the packet open with his teeth, he grabs it and rolls it down his cock in a one-handed move he’s clearly perfected. Then, in one swift thrust, he sheathes himself inside me, balls deep. I gasp, dropping my head back against the wall. Okay, maybe I do want this. Fuck.

He keeps his grip on my throat, leaving just enough room for me to breathe before thrusting in and out. My body comes alive, and I can’t stop the moan spilling from my lips.

He pins me with a heavy stare, watching as he builds me up and up. A deep animal-like groan falls from his lips, and my legs become weak, stars clouding my vision.

The door swings open and the light flicks on.

I take a second to adjust to the brightness and I scream, shoving against Gage’s chest until he pulls his cock from inside of me. Amirah’s face turns eerily white.

“You didn’t?” Tears pool in her eyes as she looks between the both of us. My heart breaks in two. What the fuck have I done?

“Amirah, I’m so sorry. I didn’t . . .”

“After all I did—sneaking you in here? If Dominic found out, he would have made me pay in the worst possible way...” Amirah’s voice wobbles.

“Is that your concern?” Gage jeers, pulling up his pants. “Or are you worried that your little hood rat prefers my cock to your friendship?”

Amirah bolts and I freeze, the wall holding me up, but my knees tremble. What have I done?

Gage zips the fly of his pants, the movement snapping me out of my shock. I forgo my underwear, tugging down my dress so I can run straight after Amirah.

I sprint down the stairs, watching as Amirah rips open the front door and rushes into the night. Footsteps pound in my wake, but I don’t dare look behind me. All I care about is my best friend. I can’t lose her. I can’t.

The cool night air kisses my cheeks, and I look left and right, trying to find Amirah. There are cars everywhere still, and a few people from inside have spilled out onto the lawn.

Finally, I spot Amirah in the trees next to their house, pacing back and forth. I walk toward her, but a hand lands on my shoulder. Whirling around, I come face to face with Gage.

“Let me go. I need to fix this,” I say, taking a step back.

Hurt passes between his eyes before he shakes his head. “Go back to where you came from, Freya, and never return. You aren’t welcome here in Daringville anymore—you never were, you hood rat. Go back to your junkie mother and be gone.”

His words hit me like a nail in my heart, and I don’t know why I thought anything else would come out of his mouth. Hazen and Lucas, the other members of The Brotherhood, stride over from the steps of the house to flank either side of him, scowling at me with so much hate.

With one last breath, I storm off into the trees, ready to save the one thing I hold dear. I can’t lose her. Even though I fucked everything up, I will do whatever it takes to fix this.