Wicked Games by Jarica James

Otsana

Giving up on Dani, I went to the kitchen and dug around until I found a new bottle of whiskey. I ripped off the seal and took a long pull. The warmth slid down my throat and warmed me from the inside out. Leaning against the counter, I took several more until I finally felt good enough to move. If they were at a meeting with Joe, it would be hours before they resurfaced. So I was officially stuck in this place. With nothing else to do, I decided to snoop.

Of course they must have literally had it built and never actually stepped foot in the place, not even a scrap of anything in a drawer except the kitchen, that was fully stocked. When I stepped into the bathroom I grinned, the giant tub with jets practically a flaring invitation. If there was a bath, there had to be products so I tore open the drawers, letting out a triumphant whoop when I found it. Taking another shot, I started the tub. Once it was full I dropped the bomb in, watching as the blues and purples clouded the water.

After yet another shot of whiskey, I slid into the warmth of the bath and turned on the jets now that it was dissolved. My head was comfortably swimming and my body relaxed. Thoughts of my friend and the bullshit happening in the city were far away as I drank and soaked myself into a stupor.

Just as my eyes drifted closed, the loud pop of gunshots had me bolting upright, the whiskey bottle nearly slipping from my grip. My heart stopped as I jumped out and threw on my clothes, not caring they would be soaked. Running out of the bathroom to the small security desk, I scanned the feed, adrenaline pumping through me even harder as reality sunk in. Eros had found me, and he’d broken in. In fact, his cold gaze stared at me through the screen of the main floor. I felt it piercing into my soul, my hands shaking so hard I had to grip onto the bottle for dear life if I wanted to keep it from shattering on the floor.

For years, I had my own plans. But taking it now seemed so hard, like an impossibility. I had my men now, I’d grown more in the last year than I had in my whole life with Eros. I wasn't prepared and I didn’t have anything here to do it other than my gun. I wasn’t going to leave the Adrostos with that mental image for the rest of their lives. Hurrying into the kitchen, I started ripping open drawers, one after the other, then the small pantry. Some building supplies still lined the top shelf and I found a length of rope, long enough to do what I needed. Tears burning in my eyes and resolve settling in my heart, I crawled on top of the island and swung it over the lowest pipe. Once I had both ends, I tugged to make sure it would hold before tying a noose on one end and slipping the rope through it, tugging until it was secured then tying a second noose, this one for my neck.

Upending the bottle of whiskey, I chugged every last drop, knowing if I were sober I couldn’t do this. I knew it wasn’t the best choice, but it was the only ending that I’d be able to escape from. Looking toward the camera, I blew a kiss and whispered my goodbye, knowing Joe could show them if they wanted to see it. With that, I slipped the rope in place and stepped off of the island. The rope cut off air right away, dots clouding my vision in seconds. The last thing I saw was Eros’ shock of horror and shouts at his men, the fury in his eyes intense as I gave into the darkness beckoning me with open arms.

Checkmate.