Page 72 of Play The Game

“The seating is assigned. I made sure we’ll be seated together,” Avery whispers, her arm tucked in mine tense as she eyes both of her brothers.

Illi stares between them with the bloodthirsty glee that I usually see from Blaise, who’s still too worried about his own family’s appearance to enjoy the bloodshed that’s potentially about to happen.

Ash pulls out my chair for me while death glaring at his brother, ever the reckless asshole, and I sit between Illi and Avery. Joey takes Harley’s seat across from me and I shake my head at him.

“Are you trying to provoke us? Because we’re just here for the food,” I say, more to remind Ash than Joey.

“My little Mounty. I really didn’t think you’d make it at this school for so long! And without fucking anyone! I heard the bet was still ongoing. I’m starting to wonder if you’re hiding a cock under that skirt and that’s why you won’t fuck anyone.”

Odie makes a sound of disgust and turns to Ash. “How is this disgusting man related to you and Avery? He shows none of your manners or decorum when he speaks.”

Joey smirks.

I learn that all three Beaumonts speak perfect French when he replies for Ash. “I’m the better sibling. If you want to stop fucking gang bangers, I’ll happily choke you with my cock.”

I count Illi’s breaths as he slows them down, deep inhales and long exhales. I stare at Joey while I wait, crunching the numbers on how much a full cleanup will cost us if Illi slams his meat cleaver through Joey’s throat and bleeds the fucker out.

Fuck I’d love to see that. I think we’d all sleep better at night.

“I call dibs. I’ll let Ash help but I’m skinning the fuck,” he finally murmurs to me, and I nod.

Odie looks down her nose at him, and then says in perfect English, loud enough for the Morrisons to hear, “Mon monstre, cut his heart out for me when you’re done. I would like to eat it.”

The people within earshot all freeze and turn to look at the stunning blonde, but she stares Joey down like there’s nothing even slightly worrying about the psychopath.

I guess if you share a bed with the Butcher, you’re immune to these things.

Illi raises her knuckles to his lips and kisses them like she’s the very center of his world. My heart aches a little and I remind myself that if they can find each other and survive what they have together, then I can survive the threats we’re facing, with my family intact.

After another minute of silence, I hear Blaise’s dad start questioning him about his classes, but he’s too far away for me to chime in. I huff in annoyance but then Harley snaps, “He’s in the top of his class in every subject and he’s got a 3.5 GPA. Fuck off.”

The food had better be fucking amazing.

Ash stares Joey down, watching his every move while he grins at me. I ignore his eyes, focusing on his hands to gage how doped up he really is. The tremble is there, enough to know he’s recently gotten his high and he’s still riding the effects. When the crash starts there’s going to be bloodshed.

I can fucking taste it in the air.

The waiters all start to serve dinner, and I stare down at the plate in front of me with disgust.

“What the fuck is this?” Illi says, and both Odie and Avery laugh at him, sharing a look that sets off warning bells in my head. Avery is the reigning ice queen but, fuck, Odie’s crown is made of sultry fire. If they hit it off, the whole country will crumble. Sign me up for front row tickets. I meet Illi's gaze and my sadistic glee at their camaraderie is written all over him as well. Maybe we should’ve introduced them both a little sooner.

The waiter fumbles over his words, intimidated by the fierce look on Illi’s face and the manic bouncing of Joey’s eyes. I wave him away before he pisses himself and Illi mutters at me, “What the fuck is a study of peas? They’re vegetables; they can’t go to fucking college!”

I nod, agreeing completely and craving some burgers. Avery and Odie both eat the blobs of colors delicately and I just swirl my spoon in it to make it look like I’ve eaten some.

There had better be a steak coming up next or Illi’s going to riot.

“I heard you’re fucking half my family now. What’s my brother’s dick got that mine hasn’t? Other than the clap now he’s wetting his cock in slum pussy,” Joey says, ignoring his plate entirely. I watch from the corner of my eye as Ash carefully sets down his fork.

The hand around his knife only tightens.

Sighing deeply, I make a big show of looking around at each member of my family, all of them glaring at Joey, but the decision is already made. If we’re hunting the Jackal, then we’re done dancing around Joey too. I can put him in his place without killing him… maybe.

I set my cutlery down and cross my arms, staring at the drugged fuck with unflinching rage. “You’ve made your decision to come here and start this fight with me. I’ve warned you, repeatedly, that you have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Joey laughs at me, too loud and with that crazed edge it always has. The Morrisons both angle away from us even though I know they’ll hear every damn word. Good. I want them to know who they’re pissing off every time they belittle and scorn their own damn son.

“I’m not afraid of some little slum whore who fucks thugs for protection.”