Play the Game: Hannaford Prep Year Three

by J Bree

  The room only confirms she’s a different breed. Everything is painted black, and there’s whiteboards everywhere with physics equations and coding on them. She’s a genius.

  She’s also fucking perfect for the Coyote.

  “What exactly have I done to deserve a visit from the reigning Queen Bees of Hannaford?” She drawls, flicking a wrist between us.

  I scoff at her. “I’m not a queen bee, that’s more Avery’s kind of thing.”

  Avery giggles at me, stroking my arm lovingly. “Lips doesn’t like admitting she’s alluring and powerful. She would rather enjoy lurking in the shadows and silently slitting throats.”

  Viola squints a little, glancing between us to try and spot the lie. “Right. Sure. What have I done?”

  I rub the back of my neck a little sheepishly, not having thought this out much. I wasn’t planning on liking the girl. I thought she’d be some rich bitch I’d just threaten and kidnap, but Viola is… kind of cool.

  “Look, there’s no easy way to say this so I’m just going to lay it out there.” I start and Avery gives me a look.

  “Let me, you’re not very… diplomatic. Viola, are you currently dating? Or hoping to date someone?”

  She scoffs at Avery and makes her way over to the kitchen. “I’m not chasing after your boys if that’s what this is about. I don’t need to be getting involved with taken guys.”

  That’s it. I love her, too. Fuck the Coyote for making me kidnap her.

  Avery smirks at the look I’m giving her. “No, someone else. Someone older, perhaps?”

  Viola frowns as she pulls cups out of drawers and starts to make us all coffee. Another mark in her favor. Fuck, I should induct her and keep her safe myself.

  “Maybe you should just let the Mounty be blunt about it, I’m not following you at all.”

  I take the coffee from her and sip. Not bad. “Do you know a guy, around twenty, who’s tall as fuck, blond hair, brown eyes, good with a computer? Like, able to hack into the US Defense Force levels of good?”

  Viola’s eyebrows twitch, an easy tell to spot. “Jackson? Why do you need to know about him?”

  Jackson.

  I guess he kind of looks like a Jackson. I mean, it must be him. I can’t imagine there would be that many guys who look like him and can do what he does in the state. Fuck, at least I hope not.

  “Are you interested in him? Crush or something?”

  Viola sets her cup down on her table, wrapping her arms around herself defensively. “Why are you asking this? If you’re going to try and use me against him, you’re out of luck. He’s already told me he’s not interested.”

  I groan without meaning too. I hate relationship drama and this reeks of it. “Look, I need to take you to go see him tonight. Something has come up, something life threatening, and you need to go see him. He’s… a friend of mine.”

  Her eyes narrow at me when I pause. She hisses at me, voice scathing, “Are you fucking him too? Are the three guys crawling into your bed at all hours of the damn night not enough?”

  Oh look, I found a nerve.

  I raise a single hand up to stop Avery from pouncing on her, because I don’t even have to look at her to know she’s about to tear strips off of the girl. “I’m guessing you really like him and I assure you, whatever he said to you about not wanting you, he was fucking lying. I’ll let him talk his way off of your shit list. For now, can you just come with me? I just want to get you to him safely so I can crawl into my bed with whichever guy deems it’s his turn.”

  I even wink at her to try to soften her up a little. Avery looks pissed but stays quiet, letting my words sink into the girl’s brain.

  “Fine. He fucking owes me an explanation for this shit.”

  Yes, he does.

  I convince Viola to pack a bag, then we walk her down to the staff parking lot where Illi is waiting for us standing beside the most beautiful muscle car I’ve ever seen. I sneakily take a photo for Harley to drool over later.

  Viola takes one look at the Butcher of the Bay and freezes, planting her feet into the gravel. “I’m not getting in that car. He looks like a thug! Are you trying to extort my father for cash or something? I could have saved you the effort, you’ve picked the wrong kid. He prefers my younger sister.”

  I share a look with Avery, the quirk of her lip telling me she’s just made note of that little gem. I’m not sure what we’ll be extorting Senator Ayers for in the future but we have him if we need.

  “His name is Illi and he’s just driving you over there so stop looking worried. He’s my… foster brother.” I say, winking at Illi.

  Technically, I did meet him in foster care, back when his name was still Johnny, his best friend was Matteo, and together they taught me the meaning of ride or die. Until one day they weren’t. My heart feels sore in my chest just thinking about it.

  “Come on, little girl, I’m glad to be of service.” Illi does a ridiculous little bow and I snort with laughter watching it. He’s too fucking huge to look anything but hulking and intimidating.

  “I’m not stupid, there’s no way I’m getting in that car.” Viola snaps, and I decide I love her a little less.

  I hold my hand up to stop her from running off, then pull out my phone. I hit dial on the Coyote’s number.

  “Trouble, Wolf?” He says, smug and playful as always.

  I smirk and I’m sure he can hear it in my voice. “Hello, Jackson. It’s your dear friend Lips here. Viola is all packed up and ready to have a sleepover at your place though she’s unhappy that our mutual friend Illi will be driving her over.”

  The Coyote groans. “Seriously? You’re trying to get him to drive her?”

  “You do understand I’m at school and have no car, right?” I snark and he laughs at me.

  “C’mon Lips, we both know your little harem has plenty of vehicles for you to borrow. Alexander has eight Ferrari’s, for fuck’s sake.”

  Eight?! Jesus.

  “That’s beside the point. Tell her to get in.” I hiss, and hand Viola the phone.

  She looks at it like I’m handing her a snake or some shit and I try to make my smile sweet. Avery cackles at me so I clearly fucking failed.

  While she’s busy arguing with her maybe boyfriend, I sidle up to Illi and bump my shoulder against him like we’re close or some shit. “How’s things?”

  He smirks. “Great. I’ve killed eleven guys this week for our little crew. I took on a job up the coast while I was there with Iris too, so send me your bank details so I can tithe to you.”

  Tithe, the cheeky shithead. I snort at him. “Fuck off, I’m not taking your money. Consider it payment for running around after me.”

  He laughs. “Kid, I live for this shit. I even got to torture the last guy. I julienned him as if I were a sous chef and he was nothing but a fucking carrot. I’ll send you the tape, looks fucking sick.”

  Avery gags dramatically from where she’s eavesdropping and Illi roars with laughter at her. Their easy acceptance of each other is such a fucking gift to me, I wish the guys would take a leaf out of Aves’ book and just welcome him into the fold. It’s not like he wants to move in, he’s got an amazing apartment overlooking the docks in a shady looking warehouse so he can… work from home if required. He does that a little less now Odie lives there too.

  “I’ve moved Odie to a safe house, kid. Since the video of you getting freaky with the mob boy started circulating the lowlifes have been coming at us in droves.”

  I freeze. Video circulating? Illi notices and swears under his breath. “I thought you knew about it? Sorry. You got more enemies than the Jackal, I’m guessing?”

  Avery snorts. “Lips collects them, like trinkets and pets. Nothing she loves more than pissing people off by living her very best life.”

  I groan at her. “I’m just trying to survive! Fuck. Okay, What do you need from me, Illi? Name it, it’s yours.”

  He scoffs at me and bumps shoulders. “Whatever. I’m your brother re
member? I’ll drop the prissy girl off at the Coyote’s bunker and then I’ll go hunting. Maybe it’s time to take the fight to D’Ardo. Stop defending and start attacking. Speaking of that, any of your boys good with a gun?”

  I swallow. “Harley and Ash are. I’m not sure about Blaise. I’ll check.”

  I wait until family dinner on Friday to bring up the gun question.

  Avery cooks a stir fry and for once I take Ash up on his offer of whiskey to go with our meal. I feel like a nice buzz will help me with the headache this is going to cause me. I wait until the table is quiet, the guys all shoveling the food into their mouths like they’re starved Mounty street girls, and then I ask Blaise.

  The guys all pause they’re eating. Avery continues, unruffled and smug because she knew it was coming. There’s nothing that girl loves more than to be in on the joke.

  He blinks at me owlishly, and Harley swears viciously. “What the fuck has happened now? We aren’t going to make it to fucking senior year at this rate.”

  Avery laughs, flicking her wrist at him the way a cat plays with it’s prey. “We’re doing a fine job. And you can’t talk, it’s your fan club that is causing all the issues. The video being leaked reeks of Annabelle. Or possibly Ms. Turner. They both stink of desperation so it can be hard to differentiate sometimes.”

  Blaise snickers at the dark look Harley gives her but she’s right. I stay out of it, as always, and nudge Blaise with my foot under the table.

  He gives me a little mocking smirk. “Footsies during dinner with Avery? Star, I would have never pegged you as the type to flirt with danger.”

  Ash chuckles at my withering look and Harley mutters, “She does more than fucking flirt with it.”

  I roll my eyes at them all. “Just answer the question, Morrison. Do you know how to use a gun? Properly, not just point and pull the trigger. I mean like, assemble, reload, clean, the whole fucking shebang.”

  He looks uneasy at me again. “I do. I’d rather not though. I’m more a beat-the-life-out-of-them kind of guy.”

  Ash flicks a sliver of carrot at him. “That isn’t any better so don’t think you have the moral high ground. You’re saying you want to feel the life leave your victim rather than have the clinical, impersonal kill.”

  Blaise glares at him. “Oh, are we trading psychotic tendencies now? What’s your preferred method of killing a man?”

  Ash smirks and says, “Whatever is required to make sure they stay dead.”

  I should find this conversation unsettling.

  Whelp, but I don’t. I’m suddenly squirming in my chair at the dark parts of them all.

  I clear my throat twice, a sure giveaway of what is on my mind from the looks they all give me, and say, “I’m going to get everyone ghost guns. Completely untraceable. Just for emergencies now that the Jackal is being careless and sending guys out to catch us unaware.”

  The guys all share a look and something tightens in my chest. Avery slips her hand in mine, ready to take my side with whatever they’re planning, and I’m so fucking glad she’s with me.

  Finally, Ash takes a sip of his bourbon and pegs me with a look. “We need to stop with this ‘waiting around’ bullshit and start being offensive. He’s not going to stop until we take him out.”

  I try not to groan at him but it escapes me anyway. “Do you understand the risks of that? Really? Do you get how much blood will be on your hands, and the cleanup involved? I know we have the finances to back us but fuck, it’s a lot. I’ve lived it. I woke up every day knowing I’m going to kill countless people and pray I’m not going to go down for it. Are you all prepared for that too? Because I’ve been working my ass off to keep you all out of it and… clean.”

  Harley cuts me a look, arrogant and haughty. “We’re not clean though, are we? None of us are. Even Morrison has blood on him. We’re going to figure this out and we’re going to fucking kill the Jackal and every last one of his loyal followers. No more peaceful attempts at resolution.”

  I give Blaise a curious look, interested to know what blood he has on him. I know he’s not afraid of a fight, and will jump in to defend his friends without a second thought, but I’d never guessed he’d done anything more than that.

  They’re all watching me, watching for an answer and I’m not sure I really have one but I squeeze Avery’s hand anyway and say, “Okay. Offensive it is. We’ll hunt the Jackal.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Friday morning I find Blaise missing from our history class, and I can’t concentrate on a thing the cougar whore says because I don’t know where the fuck he is. When Harley notices me twitching and tells me he’s gone to an appointment in Haven and I send the utter dickhead a pissy text about security and threats and murderous sociopaths stalking us all.

  He ignores me.

  Ash walks up to my room with me and collapses on the couch with a sigh, throwing his bag down and ripping his shoes off. Avery’s mother hen act drops in an instant and she’s snarling at him for messing shit up. I head to the coffee machine. Caffeine is necessary for my survival.

  Blaise arrives to family dinner half an hour later covered in bandages and for a second my heart stops, then I see the easy grin on his face and I know he’s fine. He winks at me and I blush when Avery cackles at the stupefied look I give him.

  “I told you, I’m filling in the rest of my canvas, Star.” He murmurs as he bundles me into his arms, kissing me chastely under Avery’s watchful glare.

  “Are you going to tell me what you got?” I grumble and he laughs at me.

  “You’ll have to wait and see. Or bribe me, I’m easily bought. Flash me some pink, Wolf.”

  I jab him in the stomach but his solid muscles only hurts my hand. Ash smirks at me and tugs me over to sit on his lap in front of the TV while we wait for dinner. Avery is on an Italian kick and refuses to let me help out now she’s making pasta by hand.

  She’s the weirdest rich kid in the fucking building but god do I love her.

  “Stop giving my sister lustful looks, Mounty.” Ash snarks, and I elbow him.

  “She’s my favorite, I hope you know that.” I snark back and he slips his hand down my waist until he gets to the hem of my shorts. My eyes flare and then narrow at him.

  “I’m your favorite.” He mumbles into the skin on my neck.

  I shake my head, mostly to clear it. “Nope. Definitely Avery. You’re my second favorite Beaumont though, so don’t feel too bad about it.”

  His eyes fucking sparkle at me with evil intent and I gulp. I try to move out of his lap and his arms only tighten, trapping me.

  “Don’t run off. I’m fucking hungry, Mounty.”

  I blush. My heart stutters in my chest at the warm honey tone in his voice, something I’ve never heard from him before. Even when we had laid together in bed all those months ago in the Bay, his dirty talk had been whispered and decisive. Not this coaxing.

  I can’t fucking handle Ash Beaumont seduction if it’s like this.

  “Dinner’s ready!” Avery calls out, and Ash huffs.

  “I don’t think I’m ever going to get my hands on you at this rate.” He grouses, and I kiss him sweetly because I’m just as fucking frustrated.

  We all take our usual seats at the table and Harley has already changed into his swim uniform to leave as soon as he’s eaten something. The second I see it I remember the last time I saw him wearing it and heat floods my body until I’m blushing like an idiot.

  I stare at my plate like it’s the answer to all my damn problems because there’s no way Avery won’t notice the puddle I’ve turned into. Dammit, I’m drooling again.

  Blaise unwraps one of his hands so he can handle his fork but I’m too busy trying not to ogle Harley to see the new ink.

  “Did you get stars tattooed on you? You know that tattoos are the curse of relationships, the kiss of death.” Avery says in a haughty tone, spinning her long strands of fettuccine perfectly between her fork and spoon.

  Blaise gives me a
look and I smile at him. I don’t think tattoos are the kiss of death for fucking anything. I’m just not that superstitious.

  His foot runs along mine under the table and my smile turns into a grin. His eyes fucking sparkle at me and I flush, looking back down at my food and refusing to look at him. Great. So only Ash is safe for now, because he’s snarling at his sister.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me Joey was coming to the Hannaford Family Dinner?”

  Ugh. The stupid dinner all juniors and seniors have to attend, even if they’re emancipated orphans, to sit and discuss their bright futures with their teachers and families. Fucking yay.

  I glance up and see him glaring at Avery, all fire and rage that I don’t usually see him aiming at his sister.

  Oh fuck.

  “You know as well as I do that Lips had Senior removed from the picture until graduation, so he’s sending Joey in his stead. There’s nothing I could do to stop it, but why would I tell you about it any sooner than I have to? Harley is already an insomniac, we don’t need two sleep-deprived, grumpy assholes in the family.”

  Ash scoffs and downs the rest of his bourbon in one gulp.

  What a lovely dinner we’re having.

  Blaise shoos Avery out of the door for her ballet class and flicks the lock with a little flourish.

  “Oh, look. I find myself alone with my Star. Whatever shall I do?”

  I smirk and point at our textbooks. “Studying is what you shall do.”

  He laughs at me and pulls his tie off, popping the first few buttons open on his shirt. Fuck. He’s worked out that little trick too, the one where my brain melts the second any of my guys start showing extra skin.