Deadly Games

Devil on earth

`Summer's POV`

After work, I went back home.

I was exhausted.

Completely drained.

Tom hadn’t called.

And honestly?

I was relieved.

At least he had the sense to learn his lesson.

The moment I stepped into the house, I noticed something was off.

The lights were on.

And there was a soft humming coming from the kitchen.

My body reacted before my mind could.

I slipped a knife from my thigh holster and moved quietly toward the kitchen.

Careful.

Silent.

In my world, you don’t take chances.

Not when your life is tied to crime.

Not when danger can walk through your door at any moment.

I reached the kitchen—

And stopped.

“…Mom?”

She stood there, casually cooking like nothing was wrong.

I let out a breath and ran a hand through my hair.

“What the hell, Mom?” I said, lowering the knife. “Do you know I could’ve thrown this at you?”

She didn’t even flinch.

“But you didn’t,” she replied calmly, wiping her hands.

I shook my head and walked over, pulling her into a hug.

She smelled the same.

Warm.

Safe.

Home.

We didn’t live together.

She had moved to the countryside a while ago—said it was quieter, more peaceful. Said she needed distance from everything… from this life.

I understood.

So I let her go.

But we visited each other often.

And if there was anyone in this world I truly loved—

It was her.

She was my everything.

She taught me how to survive.

How to be strong.

How to never depend on anyone.

She pulled back slightly and looked at me.

“You’ve lost your vibrance, Sunshine,” she said softly. “You haven’t been taking care of yourself, have you?”

I sighed.

Here we go.

“I’m fine, Mom,” I said, opening the fridge. “You just expect me to look perfect all the time.”

“I’m worried about you,” she said.

I paused and looked at her.

Yeah…

I knew that.

“I know,” I said more gently. “I love you too, Mama.”

I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

She made a face.

“Ew. Don’t get romantic with me. You’re not my type.”

I laughed.

“Relax, Mom. You’re not my type either. Too short for me.”

She turned and lightly smacked me.

“Hey!”

“That’s what you get for calling me short,” she said, going back to her cooking.

I grinned and hugged her from behind.

“Relax, Mom. You know I love you—even with all the shortness. You’re my little shortbread.”

She gasped dramatically.

“Summer!”

But I was already running off, laughing as I headed toward the stairs.

God…

I loved this woman.

More than anything.

Which is why I always said—

David never deserved her.

Not then.

Not ever.

I went to my room and took a quick shower.

When I came out, I changed into something comfortable—simple black shorts and an off-shoulder burgundy sweater. Burgundy and black…

My colors.

Always had been.

They made me feel like myself.

Strong.

Untouchable.

I grabbed my phone and went back downstairs, scrolling absentmindedly while waiting for my mom’s cooking.

“Summer!” she called.

“Yes, Yvonne?” I replied casually.

“I will smack you if you call me by my name again!” she shot back.

I laughed and walked into the kitchen.

“Sorry, my queen,” I said, leaning against the door.

She shook her head.

“Help me with the pots. Take them to the dining table.”

I nodded and helped out.

A few minutes later, we were seated, enjoying dinner together.

For a moment…

Everything felt normal.

Peaceful.

Like I wasn’t living two different lives.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

I stood up.

“I’ll get it,” I said.

Walking to the door, I opened it without thinking.

And just like that…

The peace shattered.

Because standing right outside—

Was Tom.

I stared at Tom, my expression flat.

Unimpressed.

“How did you even get in here?” I asked coldly.

He shrugged like it was nothing. “I made a key for myself, remember?”

Of course he did.

“Wow,” I said dryly. “Bravo.”

Then my tone dropped.

“Give me the key.”

I held out my hand.

He didn’t move.

“No,” he said, almost proudly. “I paid for it myself.”

I stared at him for a second.

“And I bought this house with my money,” I replied, voice sharpening. “Don’t provoke me, Thomas Griffiths.”

My patience was already thin.

And he was testing it.

Bad idea.

“Winter, we need to talk,” he insisted. “About your behavior today.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh.

“My behavior?”

Before I could say more—

“Baby, what’s going on out there?” my mom called from inside.

Tom’s face lit up.

“Is that Mom?” he asked, smiling like he belonged here.

I looked at him, disgust clear in my eyes.

“No,” I said flatly. “That’s my mom. I don’t remember sharing a womb with you.”

He ignored the jab and tried to step past me.

“Let me in—”

Wrong move.

I grabbed his arm, dragged him back outside, and slammed the door shut behind me.

The sound echoed through the quiet street.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I said, stepping closer.

Now I was angry.

Really angry.

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated.

“What’s wrong with you, Winter? Why are you acting like a—”

He didn’t finish.

Because that was the moment he crossed the line.

My fist connected with his face before the last word could leave his mouth.

The impact snapped his head to the side.

Silence followed.

He stumbled back, stunned, one hand flying to his cheek.

I stood there, breathing steady.

Controlled.

But my eyes?

Cold.

Dangerously cold.

“Don’t,” I said quietly, stepping toward him again, “ever speak to me like that again.”

He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time.

Good.

Let him.

I held out my hand once more.

“The key.”

This time, he didn’t argue.

Slowly, he reached into his pocket and placed it in my palm.

Smart choice.

I closed my fingers around it, then stepped aside slightly.

“Now leave.”

No anger in my voice anymore.

Just finality.

Tom hesitated for half a second—

Then turned and walked away.

Fast.

Almost like he was afraid to stay another second.

I watched him go until he disappeared down the street.

Then I unlocked the door and stepped back inside like nothing had happened.

My mom looked up from the dining table.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

I slipped the key into my pocket.

“Yeah,” I said calmly.

“It’s handled.”

I went back to the table like nothing had happened.

Because the last thing I wanted…

Was to ruin dinner with my mother.

But inside?

I was still burning.

Anger sat quietly in my chest, waiting.

After we finished eating, I took the dishes to the sink.

“I’ll do it,” I said.

My mom didn’t argue.

She just leaned against the counter, keeping me company like she always did.

She started talking about the countryside—neighbors arguing over chickens, a stubborn old man who refused to fix his fence, a dog that chased its own tail every morning like it had a schedule.

I found myself laughing.

Actually laughing.

For a moment…

I forgot about Tom.

Forgot about everything.

It was just me and her.

And that was enough.

`Tom’s POV`

I swear…

No one in this world has suffered like I have.

Winter was something else.

That girl was fire.

And today?

She burned me alive.

I pressed the ice pack harder against my nose and winced.

“Mmmh… that punch nearly made me lose it,” I muttered.

Still…

I couldn’t even be mad.

Because I liked her.

No—more than liked.

I wanted her.

I had tried everything—being nice, being patient, showing her I cared.

But she acted like none of it mattered.

Like I didn’t matter.

And that annoyed me.

But I wasn’t giving up.

Not yet.

Winter was everything.

Beautiful.

Rich.

Untouchable.

Who wouldn’t want a girl like that?

I smirked slightly despite the pain.

“I’ll win her over,” I muttered. “She’ll come around.”

My grip tightened on the ice pack.

Because if she didn’t…

I didn’t even want to think about that.

Half an hour later, I pulled out my phone and called her.

She picked up on the first ring.

That was new.

Was she waiting for my call?

My heart actually skipped.

“Good thing you called,” she said.

I smiled instantly.

“I know, baby,” I said smoothly. “It’s okay, I forgive you. I know you’ve got anger issues, but that’s fine. Relationships are like that—”

“What the hell are you talking about?” she cut in.

My smile dropped.

“I punched your face, not your brain. So think properly before you speak.”

Silence.

“…Didn’t you call to apologize?” I asked, trying to recover.

She let out a small, mocking sound.

Then my phone pinged.

A message.

I glanced at it.

A number.

It looked familiar.

Too familiar.

“I sent you the number to a mental hospital,” she said calmly.

My stomach dropped.

“And before you get checked, listen carefully.”

Her voice changed.

Colder.

Sharper.

“We’re done. Whatever we had—it’s over.”

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“I don’t need you anymore. So don’t show your face near my house or my café again.”

A pause.

Then—

“Or I’ll deal with you.”

Something about the way she said it…

Made my skin crawl.

The call ended.

Just like that.

“Hello? …Hello?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear.

The call was gone.

I tried calling back.

Blocked.

I tried texting.

Blocked.

Everything.

Blocked.

I stared at the screen, disbelief settling in slowly.

Winter had never even given me her social media.

No way to reach her.

Nothing.

Just…

Gone.

`Tony's POV'`

After work, Sue dropped me off at my apartment. She told me she’d be back in thirty minutes, then drove off to hers.

I didn’t waste time.

I made a quick meal, ate, then took a shower and changed into something casual.

Exactly thirty minutes later, Sue’s car pulled up outside my building.

I was already waiting.

I got in and fastened my seatbelt.

“You look good,” she said casually.

I glanced at her.

She looked nothing like the cold, serious detective from earlier. Now she looked like a completely normal person. Her hair was neatly done, and she wore black ripped shorts with a brown sweater.

“You look… so not Detective Sue,” I said.

She laughed.

“That’s the point.”

A few minutes later, we arrived at the club.

It was already dark outside, and the streets were alive. Women walked around in short outfits and high heels, laughter and loud voices filling the air.

Sue parked the car and turned to me.

“Ready for this?” she asked.

“Yep,” I replied.

Getting in wasn’t easy.

Apparently, you needed a ticket to enter.

But Sue handled it.

Smooth talking, confidence, a little charm—

And just like that, we were inside.

I glanced at her.

Now I understood something clearly.

A beautiful woman could be very dangerous.

The moment we stepped in—

It was chaos.

Loud music blasted through the speakers. Drinks were everywhere. The air was thick with smoke.

And yeah…

Drugs.

No doubt about it.

Sue and I exchanged a look.

No words needed.

This was it.

A few minutes later, we settled at a table, quietly observing everything around us.

Waiting.

Watching.

Then suddenly—

The crowd erupted.

Cheers.

Shouts.

Excitement.

Sue and I turned toward the entrance.

People were moving aside, creating a path.

Someone was coming in.

At first, I couldn’t see her.

Too many people crowded around.

But then—

She stepped into view.

And I froze.

I had never, in my entire life, seen someone like that.

I glanced at Sue.

She looked just as stunned as I was.

The woman walked toward the stage, her shoulder-length wavy hair bouncing with each step. She wore a white coat and white boots, standing out against the chaos.

When she reached the stage, a man grabbed the mic.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” he shouted. “Tonight, we have our one and only beautiful and talented singer and dancer in the house! Everyone—welcome the beautiful Kira Ray!”

The crowd exploded.

Cheers filled the entire club.

Kira unbuttoned her coat, removed it, and tossed it into the crowd, revealing her stage outfit.

I blinked.

Red flag.

Her outfit was extremely bold and attention-grabbing—more like something designed to shock and pull all eyes to her.

I glanced at Sue.

Her face said everything.

Girl… what is this?

I almost laughed.

But I held it in.

Kira started singing and dancing.

And honestly?

I wasn’t impressed.

The performance felt more about drawing attention than actual skill. The singing wasn’t great, and the dancing…

Well.

Let’s just say it wasn’t what I expected.

But the crowd?

They were going wild.

Jumping.

Cheering.

Completely lost in it.

Like nothing else mattered.

I looked back at Sue.

This time, her expression completely broke me.

I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head.

Yeah…

This place was something else.

`Summer Ray’s POV`

I was in my room, lying back on my bed, scrolling through social media absentmindedly.

My mind was calm now.

Dinner had helped.

Mom always had that effect on me.

But then—

Something caught my eye.

A post.

A headline.

“A sexy singer shows up at Crimson Pulse Nightclub.”

I almost scrolled past it.

Almost.

But it wasn’t the headline that made me stop.

It was the name.

Kira Ray.

My fingers froze on the screen.

For a second, everything went still.

Then—

My jaw tightened.

My fists clenched slowly as the anger from earlier crawled its way back up, stronger this time.

“Kira… Ray?” I muttered under my breath.

A cold laugh escaped me.

Bold.

Very bold Kira.

I sat up, my eyes darkening as I stared at the screen.

People in the comments were going crazy.

Praising her.

Hyping her up.

Like she was something untouchable.

My grip on my phone tightened.

“Clearly,” I said softly, my voice dropping into something dangerous,

“not all devils live in hell…”

I stood up slowly.

“…some sing in nightclubs wearing nonsense.”

My lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile.