Page 1 of The Bonding Games: Part 2

1

SCOTTY

“Did you honestly think you could ever have me? I thought I trained you better than that, Players.”

I can only stare at the sight before me, the muscles in my face slack. Because surely, what I’m seeing isn’t actually happening. Surely, what I’m hearing isn’t what’s actually being said.

I had a feeling something was off when I woke up to find Ezla no longer in bed, but this . . .

“Get your hands . . . off my Bonded.” Cooper’s voice is low, closer to a sound an animal would make than any human would. I can’t tear my eyes away from the disturbing picture before me, but I’m sure he has a glare forged from the fiery pits of the underworld fixed on that sight too.

The Game Master—Joseph, I should say, because no one so vile deserves even a lick of power, let alone the seas full of it that this man has—tightens his hold between Ezla’s legs and around her waist. “I would not be so sure she wants them removed.”

Two enraged snarls vibrate the air as both Cooper and Tate step forwards, and the movement finally snaps me out of my frozen state.

“No.”

Their heads whip my way, the heat of their cataclysmic fury digging into me instead. But my focus zones fully in on Ezla, and I speak before they can. “You used us.”

“What?! Scotty, no! That’s obviously no—”

“You let us believe you could feel something for us,” I cut Tiger off without sparing a glance at what’s undoubtably a heartbroken face. “Why?”

Tate laughs before she can respond, and there’s something concerningly unbalanced in it. “You better watch it, Scotty. Say another word—”

“It is not my fault you were so easily fooled,” Ezla interrupts in her typical unfeeling tone, voice robotically modified.

“Why?” I repeat roughly, chest squeezing as I keep boring my unwavering gaze into her helmet. “Are you truly so heartless?” Pushing a bitter laugh out of my mouth, I feel as though the action is slicing my throat apart. “Though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You never really wanted my care—our love. Guess you got off on messing with those you view as weaker than you, as the enemy—”

From the corner of my eye, a large, beastly form nears too quickly to slow before I’m launched off my feet.

“I SAID SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!”

Copper floods my tastebuds as my head smacks against the taalk floor, vision immediately spotty from the force of the blow delivered to my face.

Then another.

And another.

I don’t fight back, letting the blows rain down on me. And no one, not even my blood brother, comes to aid me.

Not until I hear a gruff noise of amusement from the throat of the man I despise more than anyone, more than anything. Then, as much as I hate to do it, I slam my fist into Tate’s stomach in return, trying to use enough force to really sell the act but not too much that it’ll leave him truly injured.

“THAT ALL YOU GOT, FUCKFACE?!” The wind leaves me with the next brutal blow. “I KNEW I SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET YOU TOUCH HER!”

“As entertaining as this is, we do need to have a civil discussion,” I vaguely hear in the background. “Please do go and sort out your Evots, dearest.”

The crushing weight on top of me is lifted almost a second later, and I struggle for breath, Tate’s pained grunt sounding out to my left as he lands there harshly.

One of my eyes is fucking throbbing, swollen almost completely shut, but I can see myself reflected back at me clearly in that sleek obsidian visor. A visor that should no longer hide the stunning face beneath unless she’s training. And one which shows me the mess one of my brothers has made of my face. One well deserved.

My Bonded’s helmet tilts in that familiar eerie way, and I swallow, turning my head to the side to cough up the blood trickling down my throat.

A beleaguered sigh, and a figure appears beside her, Joseph’s features oozing contempt he doesn’t bother to hide. I war with my own facial expression to ensure my nostrils don’t flare as his arm wraps around Ezla’s waist possessively.

“This is who you let touch you, Daughter?” His perfectly polished black shoe prods my leg, and I don’t mask my snarl this time. His lips twitch into a smirk.

“I needed some fun. As you said, these Evots are very entertaining.”