I don’t hesitate.
I fucking run, and behind me, all I can hear is his low laugh cutting through the bass, steady and predatory.
Holy shit, this game is doing things to me. Really good things. And if one of them could wreck me on a dance floor, I can’t wait to see what happens when the other one stops being nice.
6
KADE
Kross notices it before I say a word.
Before I even fucking move or get a goddamn chance to commit to the decision.
She slips into the crowd, red flashing once between bodies, and my attention tracks her without effort. Automatic, precise, and already mapping all the angles and exits of this shit hole warehouse. I don’t chase yet. I don’t need to.
But Kross sees the change.
He turns his head slowly, following my line of sight, then lets out a low laugh that’s half surprise, half delight.
“Holy shit,” he says.
I don’t look at him.
“That’s new,” he adds. “That fucking look.”
“I don’t have alook.”
He snorts. “You absolutely do, and that, right there, is not your usualsomeone’s about to fucking dieface.”
I finally glance at him. “Move.”
Instead of listening, he grins wider, clearly fucking entertained. “You fucking want her.”
“No.”
“Well, you definitely don’t want to kill her,” he corrects, tapping the side of his mask like he’s thinking it through. “That’s the difference. That’s why this is fun.”
“This isn’t some fucking game.”
He laughs outright at that. “Maybe it wasn’t, but it sure as fuck is now, bro.”
I shift my weight, irritation sparking, but Kross only leans closer, voice dropping just enough to be heard over the bass.
“I’ve said it since the alley—that girl, she’s running because shewantsto get caught.”
“They all fucking run.”
“Not with a smile on their face they don’t.” His grin turns sharp. “No other girl has ever fucking run hoping we’ll catch her. None of them have even challenged us. Played with us the way she is.”
I don’t answer.
He watches me for another second, eyes narrowing like he’s studying a puzzle he didn’t expect to enjoy. “Holy shit. You fucking like that she does,” he says. “Jesus, even I didn’t expect this tonight. Seeing you actually fucking embrace the chaos, the game? Shit, you’re just as excited for this chase as she is.”
“She’s definitely not subtle.” I smirk behind the mask.
“No,” he agrees. “But she is fucking delicious.”
I shoot him a warning look.
