Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Ash scrubbed his hands over his face and sighed heavily.
Reese scratched his eyebrow and tried to look unfazed. For once, he was failing.
“Don’t worry, Sirs,” Macklin said into the mic. “We won’t make you streak naked through DC. We propose a compromise.”
“Fuck my life,” Ash chuckled. “All right—give it to us.”
“Seriously, dude,” Reese snapped. “You’re surrenderin’ that easy?”
“The longer we drag this out, the more they’re gonna enjoy it,” Ash pointed out.
He wasn’t wrong.
Noa and Corey stopped holding back their laughter, and they scurried up on the stage.
“We ordered two gorgeous summer accessories for you,” Macklin continued. “Until the end of August, we want you to wear these when you’re around the pool. And any brat who comes up to you is allowed to Sharpie a message on the fabric.”
“Good Christ.” Ash smacked a hand over his face.
Oh, they were so beautiful! Two pairs of white swim trunks with tiny red hearts all over. Plenty of space to leave messages, which we’d already done. To get them started, so to speak. Who knew how much would remain after a few dips in the pool—hence why we were allowed to add messages.
Right now, the trunks were filled with “THE BRATS WON,” “I WAS OUTSMARTED BY A BRAT,” “BRATS RULE,” and “SADISTS SUUUUCK.”
“What do you say, gentlemen?” Macklin asked. “Do you accept our compromise?”
A low murmur erupted among the members, several muttering about the damn brats, some admitting we’d earned our win, and Colt saying, “Revenge will be sweet.”
Ash was the first to suck it up and head toward the stage.
River nudged his brother. “Just fuckin’ accept they won this round.”
In the end, a grumpy Reese accepted his punishment too, and he and Ash met with Macklin on the stage to applause and a new summer outfit.
I clapped and whistled sharply. “You’ll look adorable, Sirs!”
Corey snatched the microphone from Macklin. “Also, a round of applause for Macklin, the mastermind who orchestrated this whole thing—but many of us were proud to assist!”
“Go brats!”
“Good job!”
“Nailed it!”
“Go Macklin!”
It was the most exhilarating feeling, which only grew stronger when the Sadists conceded. I watched them all, Colt, Walker, Kingsley—they applauded and admitted they’d been defeated. This round. They were very clear about the last part. This round. Greer, Ty, KC, I could go on. They were surrendering. We’d won this prank.
I beamed with pride and could only imagine what those who’d been around for longer felt. I mean, I knew all about the constant banter going on, and I had my fair share of experience from my old community. But every now and then, the brats brought the trophy home, and it was fucking glorious.
Reese was back in higher spirits within seconds, and he grabbed Macklin in a headlock, kissed the side of his head, and said something in his ear. Whatever it was made Macklin blush and smirk at the same time, and he nodded in response.
Unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end, and when Reese grabbed the mic, that end was nigh.
“Well, my station at this event just became better,” he said. “If everyone can simmer down, we’ll get this show on the road. Welcome to Slave Mode.”
Penelope and Jack joined Reese on the stage, and Ash returned to me.
With a pair of trunks in his grasp.
I grinned at him.
He shook his head in amusement. “Fuckin’ brats.”
Yes, Sir!
Penelope was the next one to speak into the mic. “As promised from last month’s Game, the Easter Egg Hunt, we have three winners to announce too. You’ll find the scores posted on the website later tonight, but in the meantime, give it up for Shay, who finished in third place, Noa, who placed second, and Kit, who came in first!”
“Woo-hoo! Congratulations!” I cheered.
Kit looked stunned and flushed adorably at everyone clapping, and he immediately plastered himself to a proud Daddy Colt.
So cute.
“Let’s see who wins at being a good slave today, shall we?” Penelope handed the mic over to Jack.
I can be a slave, I can be a slave!
Maybe.
Jack cleared his throat. “Our dungeon monitors will hand out information about your groups and some event rules as we do a roll call.”
Santiago came up to Reese with a clipboard, and they started crossing people off, half to themselves, though we still heard them.
“Let’s see, I saw Lucian and Cam already, then Walker and Bratlin, Colt with Kit…” Reese went down the list. “River and Shay, Ash and Nora… Are Ty and Lane here?”
“Yes, Sir!” Lane called out.
Reese continued. “I saw OG August and Ev, and Dean and Gael are over there… KC, Noa, Anthony, Camden, Greer and Archie…”
I zoned out when Lucas handed Ash a piece of paper, and he showed it to me. So in our group, it was Ash and me, Greer and Archie, KC and Noa, Kingsley and Tate, and Anthony and Camden. A good mix of TPE peeps and fun-loving brats.