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“You win,” he said.

His words left a sour taste in my mouth. I’d completely forgotten this was a game. My eyes burned, and vulnerability seeped in for a moment, but it was gone when he wrapped me in his arms and dropped his head to my shoulder.

“Don’t look at me like that. I won’t be able to let you go.” His breath brushed my neck, and I couldn’t for the life of me think of a reason I’d want him to let me go.

“I can stay.”

He let out a pleased rumble, then backed away. “They would definitely kill me.”

A memory of Ronan’s scarred brow and the taste of tequila on his lips flashed through my mind.

Hunger filled his gaze again. “Fuck it. It’ll be worth it.”

But just as he was about to kiss me, a bell rang out. He groaned, but this time, he released me for real. He righted my dress, entwined our hands, and guided me out of the maze.

All around us, people exited their tents. Their voices grew loud with excitement as they gathered together. Some were drinking, others dancing.

“Go be reckless.” Thorne’s low voice easily reached me. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

My attention snapped back to him. “What about you?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll find you later.”

It was a promise that echoed Ronan’s from earlier.

My gaze traveled over the crowd, but I didn’t spot Ronan. Looking for him while I stood so close to Thorne made my stomach flip.

Thorne laughed and slapped my ass, making me jump forward. He practically beamed at me. “Go have fun. Be wild. Be yourself. You’re safe here.”

My chest clenched. I’d expected to feel used after what had just happened. Dirty, with him sending me back to the party so soon afterward. But none of those feelings could settle in while he looked at me like that.

Like my having fun was all he’d wanted.

I swallowed hard. “Will you find me?”

He grew serious. “Always.”

Then he leaned in, kissed the top of my head, and disappeared back into the tent, leaving me staring after him.

“Everyone, gather around,” a voice boomed from the speakers. I ignored the sting of disappointment when I saw that it was one of the masked helpers standing onstage. “Those of you who completed your tasks, come validate your cards. The others, follow the path toward the exit. The next games begin in half an hour.”

My card. Panic flashed through me. I didn’t know what had happened to it in the maze. Dread filled my gut at the thought of having to leave.

“Ms. Gwen, I have this for you.” The masked guide who’d brought me there earlier held out a card. Unlike mine, it was crisp and unwrinkled.

“That’s not mine.”

“They asked me to get you a new one.”

They again.

“The first task has been marked complete. Follow me, and I’ll bring you up to the party area between games.”

The second I went to follow him, cold air rushed up my skirt and chilled my wet thighs. I barely held back a mortified squeal.

I was no longer wearing underwear.

Chapter 4