Page 53 of Dangerous Games

I’m tense because you made it seem like there wasn’t anyone else in your life when there clearly fucking is.

“Is his username seriously Mr. Fuck Around and Find Out?” I ask, this time unable to keep the displeasure out of my tone.

The second I get home, I’m calling Wiz to hack into her system and find out who this piece of shit is. He’s going to find it hard to talk to my girl when both hands are gone.

Bronwyn laughs as if it’s the funniest thing in the world. “Yeah. Isn’t that creative? I thought it was so funny when I figured it out.”

“Hilarious,” I answer dryly.

ravenslayer: no date, but I do need to get some sleep tonight.

No date.

I see red.

There’s a growl coming from somewhere in her apartment. It takes her hand grabbing my upper arm out of concern to realize the growl is coming from me.

“Are you okay?” Bronwyn asks.

My eyes are glued to the conversation on screen as I shake her hand off me. “You don’t have a date?” I ask, my tone taking on a scary edge.

“Um…” Bronwyn trails off as she leans away from me. “Is that what this is?”

This time it’s my turn to glare at her. “I’m cooking for you, aren’t I? Spending my time making sure you breathe a little easier tonight, right? You don’t need to go out somewhere for something to be classified as a date.”

“Well, no,” Bronwyn softly agrees.

“Then what the fuck?” I bite out, making her flinch. “Don’t fucking do that. You know damn well I would never lay a hand on you.”

“I’ll tell him I have a date,” Bronwyn says, her voice barely audible.

“Don’t do it just to appease me. If you had wanted him to know, you would have told him in the first place.”

I’m being a dick, but there’s only so much more I can take with this woman constantly throwing in my face that we’re nothing. Maybe I was wrong about finally finding someone who got me and took me as I came. Because that woman wouldn’t be doing this bullshit right in front of my goddamn face.

“Your pizza should be done in about five minutes. I set the timer. I’m going to head out,” I say as I stand up and head toward her front door.

“Gio, wait,” Bronwyn rushes out.

I ignore her as I unlock the door and open it. Just as I’m about to step through, her hand grabs my bicep, tugging me back.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers as I look down over my shoulder at her. “I should have told him we were on a date. I don’t know why I didn’t.”

“Is there something going on with him?” I ask. If there is, he’s dead.

“No.” Bronwyn scrunches her nose up like I’m out of pocket for asking. “We’re just friends. We’ve never crossed that line.”

Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?

“Have you wanted to?”

“Honestly? I’ve never really thought about it, but if I had a gun to my head right now, my answer would be no.”

“Why?” I ask, my tone still angry.

“Because I think I like you,” Bronwyn admits as she averts her gaze from me and fidgets in her spot.

If I weren’t still so pissed at her, I would have laughed. “You think?”