16
Langston
Why did I go see her last night?
It was a mistake. Now I can’t do anything but think of her. Of her body, the sounds she made when she came. She has crept into every part of my body all day.
It’s more than that, though. I’ve played her little story in my head over and over, and I can’t figure out the lie. I also can’t figure out who Duncan is.
It’s probably because he doesn’t exist. That’s the lie—his name. That way, I can’t look up to see who she’s working with.
I throw my phone in frustration after once again coming up empty on my search for information on the owners of this yacht and fucked up game.
There is a knock at my door.
I huff as I stand and walk over to it.
“Yes?” I answer while throwing the door open.
Beckett is standing in my doorway with a stack of two to-go coffee cups and a raised eyebrow. I’m always impressed with how he’s adapted to a life with only one arm.
“You look like hell,” he says as he pushes the top cup into my hands and walks inside my room.
“Thanks,” I say. The hot liquid runs down my throat while I hope it turns everything around for me. It’s only a couple hours until midnight, but I’m going to need the coffee to stay awake all night, especially since I haven’t slept.
“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks.
“Yea, Liesel got into my head.” I run my hand through my hair, messing it up even more.
“Women.” Beckett shakes his head like he doesn’t understand why I’d ever let a woman bother me. “You and Liesel aren’t together though, right? So why do you let her affect you so much?”
“Our relationship is complicated. I want to kill her most of the time.”
“But you also want to fuck her?” Beckett says with a grin.
“Something like that,” I grump.
“But you don’t love her?”
“No.” I could never love her.
“Hmmm, then fuck her and get over her.”
If only it were that easy.
“What about you and Nora? Isn’t she going to be pissed that you let some woman suck your dick?”
“I actually fucked the second woman.”
I frown. Nora will kill him. “You need to withdraw. I don’t want to ruin any more relationships than I have to. I’ll be alright. I don’t need anyone to stay in the game just for me.”
“Nora and I broke up. I’m a free man. And I plan on staying and helping for as long as I can. So far, I’ve quite enjoyed myself.”
I chuckle. “Well, I’m sorry about you and Nora.”
He shrugs. “I’m not. It was fun while it lasted, but we were never meant to be together.”
“You don’t have to be loyal to me just because I work with your brother.”
“I’m not. You’re as much a part of this family as I am. And we protect our family.”
I nod, thankful that I have someone here. I have no idea what tonight holds. Beckett and I have never been as close as any other pair in the group, but I’m thankful nonetheless.
“Don’t push yourself too far tonight to defeat Liesel. If she wins, we can steal the money again like before,” Beckett says nonchalantly.
We can’t.
And I’m beginning to think I need to win for more reasons than just keeping the money from Liesel. Something feels off about everything Liesel said last night. It feels like she’s begging for help, for a way to escape. I want her dead, but at my hands. No one else gets to bury Liesel except for me.
A few minutes later, Beckett leaves. I take my time getting dressed once again in my suit that has somehow been dry cleaned and delivered to my room. Then I don the mask, tying it around the upper half of my face.
The mask is supposed to make me feel invincible, discreet and hidden. I hate hiding, though. I’d rather fight head-on. I didn’t give a fake name when we boarded, because I’d rather everyone know exactly who I am. Hopefully, I can take my mask off in the final round.
I glance at the clock in my room—a quarter till midnight.
Showtime.
I walk into the hallway and up the stairs, the caffeine buzzing through my body, making me feel alive and ready.
I’m ready for whatever I face tonight.
When I reach the top deck, the air feels different than last night. Last night everyone was chatting; there was a nervous, excited energy about the crowd. Tonight, it’s all anxious nerves. There is no small talk between the eight remaining participants. Only about half the people up here even have a drink in their hand. Everyone has a solemn, ready to go to war look in their eyes.
Everyone left came to win.
“It feels eery up here. I feel like everyone here knows what’s about to happen except for us,” Beckett whispers.
I nod. I feel the same.
There are five men, including Beckett and myself.
Two women.
And…
Liesel.
I tried to ignore the pull I felt when I stepped foot up here, but it’s here, plain as day.
She’s wearing a different dress than last night. This one is all black, and she has a black mask. The only thing that isn’t black on her body is her dark red lipstick.
How did she get a new dress?
Everyone else here is wearing a dry cleaned version of what they wore the night before.
What game is this, Liesel? Why did I let my anger out last night? I should have demanded a truth instead of a lie. Then I might have a damn clue what this stupid game is.
I look at Liesel, trying to gain any insight from her expression. I find nothing. She’s solid stone. Expressionless and unbending.
I stare her down. I’m going to destroy you, and then I’m going to take you back to my island, and we are going to finish what we started.
“Congratulations, everyone, on making it to the second night,”
