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“We’re going to play a game,” Satan started, looking at Noel and then Nick, nodding in satisfaction as the men retreated to the sides of the bedroom.
“What’s that? Fuck with me until you’re bored and then let Chris take me out the back and shoot me? Is that why he’s not playing right now?”
“Oh, I’m playing. Don’t worry about that.” Chris stepped through the doorway, and I choked on my tongue. While the others lounged around the room in jeans — deliciously tight, low-slung jeans — Chris wore a tiny pair of black boxer briefs that did nothing to hide what he was packing.
It felt like some cosmic joke. Especially as he stepped up next to the bed and rested his hands on his hips. “And we’re not killing you. You’re going to tell us everything we need to know so we can all have an adult conversation.”
Subtly, I crossed my legs. Nothing like trying to appear prim and proper when you’re wearing nothing but panties wet enough to soak the sheets.
“Why would I do that?” I asked, squeezing my thighs together.
“Because we’ll make it worth your while.” To emphasize his point, Chris cupped himself through his boxers, stroking until it was obvious he was sporting a semi before backing away.
Breathe, Joy, I reminded myself as every trace of moisture evaporated from my mouth.
They couldn’t know. Couldn’t have guessed that my dad hadn’t been the only reason I left Satan. I’d barely acknowledged the fact for myself that I wanted all of these delicious men and the idea of making them compete, or worse, completely turn against each other had been enough for me to turn tail and run back to an addict of a father and the lowest of the low kingpin who controlled Dad’s every move. Those boys — men, I corrected myself, looking at the huge bodies surrounding me — needed each other.
“We?” My voice broke with a squeak that made Nick chuckle.
“Unless there’s someone you don’t want playing the game. All you have to do is trust us. Can you do that, Joy? Just once?” Chris asked, sapphire eyes burning into mine.
When the silence stretched past awkward, Noel stepped forward. “How about this. Trust should be give and take. We’ll give you a piece of information for every piece you give us as well as your rewards. We’ll even start if that makes you more comfortable.”
“You want to play too?” I asked, shocked for a moment. While I’d always held a flame for him, Noel had never given any indication that he saw me as anything but a friend.
“Sunshine, I’ve been hard since the moment I saw you in my ropes. Of course I’m playing.”
“You’ve got all of us Kitty cat, as long as you’re up for it,” Nick murmured.
All of them.
I should have run while I had the chance. I had the feeling I wouldn’t walk away from the encounter in one piece... if I had the strength to walk away at all.
“First piece of information,” Satan announced, reclaiming my attention. “We didn’t come home because of the storm. Dolph informed us we had an intruder and recommended we eradicate the rogue before he did. He sold you out, sweetheart. I think he hoped we’d shoot first and ask questions later. Seems you’ve become a bit of an inconvenience for my dear old dad.”
I shook my head in denial, even as I started making connections I wished I didn’t have to make. Dad knew I wanted to celebrate Christmas this year, but it hadn’t just been about changing traditions. I’d told him in no uncertain terms I wanted out of the life. No more stealing. I had planned on going straight. The only reason I stayed in as long as I had was to pay off his debts when our cash supplies dwindled.
“Your turn, Sunshine,” Noel said, his voice gentle.
“Dolph sent me.” I pushed out after several seconds of silence in which I desperately tried to find a scenario that didn’t involve me being sold out by my only family.
“Because...?” Noel shot an impatient look at Satan for interrupting.
“Because there was a file he needed. He said you only kept a hard copy and once I’d retrieved it, my dad could come home. They trashed the place, okay? For all I know, Dad’s already dead. I was an idiot to think we could have a normal Christmas. People like me don’t get to have normal.”
“Joy.” Noel crouched beside the bed, reaching a hand out to cover my knee. Once he knew he had my attention, he smiled, causing the dimple in his right cheek to make an appearance. “Do you want to pick who gives you your reward?”
I was mortified to feel a warm flush crawl up my throat. “I...”
“No pressure,” he rushed to add.
“I don’t want to choose,” I said, dropping my eyes and muttering, “that was always the problem.” From his spot against the wall, Nick started laughing so hard he had to slide to a sit while the other men in the room exchanged bewildered expressions.
“This counts as another piece of information, fuckers,” I growled, realizing the dense idiots had no idea what I was talking about. My entire face was aflame, but I wasn’t about to back down. There were a few choice questions I wanted the answer to myself.
“When I was around, I was the only female. I know damn well all of you are hetero, but you’re so god damn suspicious of everyone that you never had women here. I liked being the only female too much. If any of you had decided I was worth more to you than the group, I never would have forgiven myself. I was too close to you, so I made the decision to leave, ok? I wanted all of you so it was better that I had none.” Waving my cuffed hands in a flourish that I hoped conveyed the end, I kept my eyes trained on the bedspread. There was no way I could look any of them in the eye after that admission.
“Joy.” I shook my head, refusing to look at Satan. He, of all of them, had a right to be pissed at me. I was his girlfriend and I’d just admitted to fantasizing about his closest friends.
