Living With The Player

DYLAN EMERTON

SATURDAY.

The shot landed beside Camilla’s leg, making a dent in the wood. I saw my entire life through my eyes, and Camilla was the only thing I could see.

I almost lost her. Harper would’ve shot Camilla if I hadn’t howled. The bullet was inches away from hitting her.

“I do not have all day D. I would’ve opted for initials, but they both have Cs.”

His goons all laughed as he waved the gun in the air. I stomped forward, lifting my chin.

“You almost hurt her. I would have killed you!”

“Aww D, we’re brothers, remember?”

He clicked his tongue, then lifted the gun again.

“Enough stalling. Choose.”

I eyed both of them. My family. My whole life. I love them both. I may not love them.

I’d be a fool to deceive my brain by saying I loved both of them at the same level. Camilla means more. Camilla will always mean more. But that does not justify killing my cousin. I can’t live with that. I’m done thinking about just my needs.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

She has friends. Parents. May have a boyfriend who also puts everyone else above her.

I can’t. I won’t choose.

“Dylan. I won’t miss this time. It’ll be straight through her skull.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

“Choose.”

He demanded.

“I have a counteroffer.”

I took another step, bringing me more to his level.

“How about you and I fight? We’ve never gone to it. Aren’t you curious to know which one of us has this thing in his blood? Me or you?”

I smirked.

Harper loves challenges. It’s the one thing he’ll throw his all for it.

“I told you we were soulmates, not the weird dating kind, but you and I belong side by side, to the places we could conquer together.”

He exhaled with a dark smirk.

“What’s in it for me?”

He added, dropping the gun.

I need to offer him something priceless. The one thing I know he’ll want.

“Me. I’m the bargaining chip.”

His eyes gleamed with interest. He did not hide the excitement or rush of energy.

I spied Camilla. Her head is already bobbing sideways, showing her disregard for what I’m about to do.

“You? A minute ago you said what’s the word?, “I have no desire to please you.”

“That was before you tried to make me choose between them.”

I nudged Claire and Camilla.

“So you want us to fight? When I win, you come back to the fight club? For good? No questions asked. No resistance, no trying to play smart. Is that it?”

“Y-Yes.”

Camilla’s head would not stop shaking, her body soon followed and I fear she was trembling with tears.

“When I win..”

I start, lacing my tone with assurance.

“You let all three of us leave. No more schemes. You leave us the hell alone.”

Harper began laughing.

“You can’t beat me in a duel, Dylan.”

“Are you scared?”

I cock my head, smirking.

“Of course not. I just don’t want to hurt that pretty face. But I accept that it’s more money for the audience. They’ll eat this up. You and I are on the fighting pits.”

I conceal the disgust in my eyes. Harper kinks are fucking irritating. How can someone enjoy others getting hurt? What sort of sick person would derive satisfaction from ruining everyone else’s life?

“If I lose, you’ll let them go too. You only get me. You stay away from the people I care about.”

“That doesn’t seem like a fair trade. You aren’t losing a thing.”

“I’m selling my soul to you. I think that’s plenty.”

“Oh D, stop pretending like this doesn’t get you going. Admit it, I’m sure your girlfriend will understand. Won’t you, dear?”

He takes two strides and relives her of the cloth covering her mouth.

“Do nothing he says, Dylan! Do not fight him! He’ll..”

“A simple yes or no would do.”

Shaking his head, he places the cloth back and then chuckles.

Camilla’s eyes are pleading to me, but I can’t listen. Both of them come first.

“Do you agree? You get me in return if I lose, and you let them go. If I win, you let all of us go.”

Harper nods.

“I want your word.”

I demand.

“You have my word D.”

Smirking, he comes down from the stage, leaving his men and Camilla, then of course Claire.

“As a show of good faith, I’ll even untie them and bring them to the pits to watch. After all, it’ll be their last time to see you.”

Patting my shoulder, he motions three fingers and the men move out with the girls.

“May the best fighter win.”

Harper chides beside me and then walks ahead.

“May the best fighter win.”

I reiterate and follow.

**

Back in the pits, I hear the cheering from the spectators upstairs.

“You like? I thought if you could hear how much they worship you, then you’ll stop this delusion and come back to where you are below.”

I wrapped my hands, ignoring Harper’s remark.

“You and I are it, teams. Taking you down won’t be enjoyable for me.

“It will be for me.”

For him to hear, I replied loud enough.

Claire is conscious. Their hands are restrained.

Eli and Victor and the only ones beside them. Eli on Camilla and Victor on Claire.

If this goes sideways, I need to come up with a backup plan. Harper isn’t mentally functioning anymore. He’s unpredictable.

For now, I’ll play his game. Hopefully, I can take him down.

**

“Stop resisting. You’ve lost already! Stay down, Dylan!”

Harper howled, his arms wrapped around my neck and squeezing the life out of me.

“No.”

I croaked, taking his legs down. He let go, and I began choking, standing upright and missing a few paces since the entire world was spinning.

“The crowd is energetic. They’re eating this up, but it’s been over ten minutes. Give up! You’re bleeding. You’re tired. Give up!”

He chuckles.

“Not a chance.”

I fold my fist, preparing for him to come at me.

“Guess we are doing this the hard way, then.”

He snorts and rushes toward me. Skipping a beat, I shit my eyes for one second and smirk.

Why didn’t I think of this sooner?

Getting out of his way, Harper’s eyes widen in shock, but it’s already too late.

I shove a foot forward and he trips, flying into the air. It’s difficult to recover himself, and Harper crashes to the floor with a loud thud.

I keep my foot on him. Harper moans weakly and then it’s over.

“I won.”

I grit my teeth and then step away.

His men are stunned, and a shiver runs through my spine too. I beat Harper. Me. I did it.

Weakly, he pulls his body from the ground and glares at all of us. His men. Claire. Me. Then his eyes drift to Camilla and they darkened.

“Harper!”

It happens swiftly.

Harper pulled a gun from his pants. Rushing toward the girls. Pushing Claire aside, then grabbing Camilla and finally, he presses the object on the side of her face.

**

“The fuck are you doing, Harper? Let her go!”

“No.”

He pressed the gun against her skull, standing in front of me to keep all of us at bay. Claire is behind me and his goons are scattered. One of them pushed a button, which I assume will kill the cameras so no one can see what’s happening.

“You gave me your word.”

I spit with venom.

“I did. I thought I would win, but I underestimated you D, that was fully on me. I forgot how good you were. God, you’re so good. We could be kings. We could have so much. Money. Power. Women. If only you let go of her.”

He pushed it further in.

“Alright, I don’t care about the duel. Forget that I won, I’ll stay here. I won’t go back to her or Claire, or anyone. Just let her go. Let her go!”

I pushed two hands before him, trying to step forward. Harper’s lids blinked twice. He was debating it. Please.

“No.”

He finally speaks after seconds.

“I’m not dumb. As long as she is alive. As long as she exists in this world, you’ll never fully belong to me. I should’ve done this the moment I heard about it. This is the answer. You’ll see. One day, you’ll wake up and see that I did this for you. Everything was for you.”

“Harper. If you touch a hair on her head, I will kill you. It won’t be us as soul mates or brothers in the arm. It’ll be me some spending the rest of my life hunting and killing you.”

I clench my fists.

“No. You’re just angry. Once she’s gone, you’ll see that both of us are the real end game. Your judgement is clouded because this bitch is still breathing. I only need to end her life. That’s it.”

He cocked the safety off. Camilla whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Harper don’t. Harper!”

“It’s always been you and me. Everyone else left. They all abandoned me, but you’re like my better half D. I won’t lose you.”

“Fuck, I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll stay by your side. I’m not fucking leaving, just don’t hurt her. Please!”

Silence. Harper locks his gaze on me, but I’m focused on Camilla. Claire is behind me, panting and gasping for air.

“All for you D. This is all for you.”

Harper covers his eyes, but I see a flash of conclusion in them.

He’s going to kill her. I take the first step but-

One breath.

I take one breath and I hear a gunshot. It’s silenced, but it pierces through my eardrums.

I don’t have time to think before making a hit for Harper. I pounce on him, taking him down on the ground, but below I deliver the first hit, I realise he’s already bleeding. More like choking.

“Dylan!”

Camilla’s voice rings at the back of my head, her arms encircle mine, and then she shoves me off him.

Wait… What just happened?

Harper’s gun is lying two feet away from him. He has a bullet hole in his hand where the gun was, and he’s choking and bleeding out.

I swerve my head and there are officers around us. His men are surrounded and on the ground. Everything is spinning since I have no clue what’s going on, but I have a hint. Miranda springs past a few guards, enveloping Camilla in a tight hug. Behind her is Jimmy.

My lungs. I don’t think my lungs are functioning anymore.

“Dylan?”

Camilla breathes, anxious and more worried.

It’s over. We’re safe now. It’s okay to drop to my knees and let out a breath I’ve been holding for ages.

****

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