Shadow games, p.1
Shadow Games, page 1
Shadow Games
Scarlett Vaughn
Published by Scarlett Vaughn, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 by Scarlett Vaughn
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
PROLOGUE 1
PROLOGUE 2
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
EPILOGUE 1
EPILOGUE 2
BONUS
Sign up for Scarlett Vaughn's Mailing List
Further Reading: Three Winter Months
About the Author
PROLOGUE 1
Adam
IT WAS JUST ANOTHER party, and I had no idea how I ended up there. I was sitting, watching the lights flash to the rhythm of the loud music. Lyla, my girlfriend, was dancing on top of a table, completely drunk. Her loud, exaggerated laughter echoed through the room, drawing the attention of everyone around her. Next to me, my brother Logan gave me a worried look.
"This isn't right," he said, pointing at her, who was now dancing provocatively with another man. "You two need to stop this cycle of abuse. You're destroying yourselves."
I knew he was right, but I wasn't sure if I cared enough. Our relationship was a rollercoaster of betrayals and fights. But somehow, I felt trapped in it. Maybe it was a desire for revenge for Lyla's countless betrayals, or maybe it was something deeper that I couldn't explain.
"Never mind, Logan," I replied, gesturing for Lyla to come back to me. "She'll calm down."
Lyla saw me and smiled, stumbling slightly as she got down from the table. She came closer, throwing her arms around my neck, her breath smelling of alcohol.
— Adam! — he exclaimed, laughing. — Are you having fun?
"Just like you, it seems," I replied, trying to hide my frustration. She pulled a small bag of cocaine from her pocket, and I extended my forearm. She used it to snort it and raised her head, smiling.
Logan seemed disappointed.
— You know this isn't going to end well. You're both just prolonging the pain. And helping her do this will only kill her, damn it.
I knew he was right, but there was something in me that couldn't help her let go, because it made her dependent on me too. Part of me wanted to continue in that spiral, perhaps to balance the scales. I betrayed her as much as she betrayed me, and that seemed to maintain a kind of unhealthy game between us.
"I know, Logan," I admitted, sighing. "But for some reason, I'm still here."
He slapped me on the back.
— You're my brother, I want to see you happy. Think carefully about what you're doing.
I looked at Lyla, who was now laughing with another man, and felt the familiar burning of anger and sadness. I didn't know how much longer I could continue like this, but that night, I chose to stay. Perhaps it was my constant need to be accompanied, the simple inability to let her go, to break free from drugs and return to being the woman I once knew. I didn't see an easy way out.
PROLOGUE 2
Sienna
I LOOKED AT MY REFLECTION in the bedroom mirror, adjusting the red lipstick on my lips as I danced to the music that injected energy into my body. Beside me, Kourtney giggled softly, trying to tame a stubborn strand of hair.
"Ready, Sienna?" he asked, picking up her lip gloss. There was a glint of excitement in her eyes.
I gave my hairstyle a final touch and smiled at my friend.
Okay. Let's do this.
We were dressed to impress, in clothes that made us look older. I was wearing a tight black dress that accentuated my curves and mid-calf combat boots, while Kourtney had opted for a short skirt and a sparkly top.
"Your security guard isn't going to follow us, is he?" he asked, adjusting his jacket.
"Don't worry, I gave him the night off," I replied with a mischievous smile. In truth, he didn't even know I was going out. "We'll just need to use my bedroom window. I left my car on the street behind and we'll go through the servants' exit."
With agility, we escaped through the window and ran through the garden. I used one of the employees' codes, opening the back gate, and went to my car. I drove to the party venue, a nightclub famous for its rock shows and college parties. Upon arriving, my heart was racing. The adrenaline of doing something forbidden mixed with the excitement of the night. We joined the queue, where we were quickly checked by security. The fake documents passed without any problems.
The place was packed, with lights flashing to the rhythm of the loud music. Kourtney and I found a spot on the dance floor and started moving to the music.
"This is incredible!" she shouted, while I laughed and twirled through the crowd.
I went to the bar and got drinks, and from there, everything started to blur until we tried a cigarette offered by a group of college students. I felt free, far from the expectations and rules of my family. That's when I saw him. He was standing at the bar with a confident and mysterious air. He was tall, strong, wearing a leather jacket, a black shirt, and jeans. Our eyes met, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. The world around us seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of us.
He smiled, a smile that was both seductive and dangerous. Feeling brave, I walked towards him.
"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked, his deep voice almost lost in the sound of the music.
"I would love to," I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear.
We started talking and it was clear that the attraction between us was growing stronger every minute. I felt magnetically connected to him, unable to resist the palpable chemistry between us.
"Want to dance?" he asked, his mouth moving close to my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
I nodded, taking his hand. On the dance floor, our bodies moved in perfect harmony. Each of his touches, combined with his intense gaze, made my desire grow.
"Let's get out of here," he whispered in my ear, his lips brushing against my neck.
I didn't hesitate. I knew I wanted more. I left my car keys with my friend, told her where I was going, and she widened her eyes, laughing, saying I was crazy. He and I left the nightclub and took a taxi to a nearby hotel. He asked for a room at reception and we went to the elevator; the door had barely closed when, given the height difference between us, I let out a little scream at the way he lifted me in his arms, dominating my mouth in a visceral kiss.
I bit his lower lip hard, pulling his hair. He carried me to bed, gently laying me down.
"Oh my God, I don't even know your name," I said, breathless.
— Adam — he said, opening my dress and quickly getting rid of it.
— Sienna — I retorted, and he took off my bra.
"Hi, beautiful," he whispered, kissing me, and I smiled, his fingers tucked inside my panties.
"Take off your clothes," I asked, pulling at his shirt. His jacket fell to the floor with a loud thud. Now naked from the waist up, I whistled, adoring the sight. He was so absurdly large and strong, he looked like a wardrobe. His sculpted torso was incredibly sexy.
He lowered himself, kissing my waist, nibbling at my hip, and then moved down to my pussy. His fingers went deep inside me, and I let out a cry; it was rough and delicious, while his tongue pressed against my clit, bringing a huge wave of pleasure. I shuddered, closing my eyes; it was surreal. I had never been sucked before. In fact, compared to the fact that I lost my virginity in the back seat of my car, sex had never been pleasurable. I started pushing my hips towards his face, exploding in a wave of pleasure that made me want to sit down, but also close my legs and who knows what else. I said things that didn't make sense to my ears; it was too many emotions at once.
He smiled, placing his hand on my stomach and holding me in place, moving closer, kissing his way up my belly, sucking on my breasts, licking my nipples. I scratched the back of his neck, desperate for something more that I couldn't even comprehend. My pussy t
I like that reaction, it's delicious.
Taking the condom from his pants pocket, he slid it onto his penis. I wasn't sure if it would fit in my mouth or my vagina.
But his kisses distracted me perfectly. Intoxicated, in his lap, he slid inside, filling me, and it was like the first time. Painful, but a thousand times more pleasurable. I let out a long moan when he reached a deep spot inside me. We looked into each other's eyes, he pulled my leg a little closer, thrusting, and whispered that it was better not to rush, because it was only the beginning of our night...
CHAPTER 1
Sienna
A few weeks later
I LEFT HOME EARLY THAT morning, sneaking out to avoid a lecture from my father. The previous night had been a complete disaster. My questioning behavior at dinner with his political friends had sparked a heated argument, and I wasn't about to face another round of reprimands about my choices and my future. Working in the political world of Washington DC was stressful enough without the constant pressure of living up to my family's standards.
I drove through the busy city streets, my thoughts a jumble. As I approached Georgetown, I decided to make a quick stop at the pharmacy. I parked my Porsche and got out, knowing my bodyguard was following closely behind. He wasn't pleasant company, but he was a constant and unavoidable presence in my life.
I went in and headed straight for the women's section. I'd been suspicious for a few weeks, but the idea seemed so absurd I almost laughed at myself. I'd slept with a stranger at a party and now I was worried about a possible pregnancy? Reality seemed more like a teen movie cliché than my real life. I found the shelf with the pregnancy tests. I grabbed two, maybe as a precaution or maybe to confirm what I still didn't want to believe. I went to the checkout, paid, and hid them in my bag. I didn't want anyone to see, especially my bodyguard, whose job was to report my every move and who would make sure to tell my father.
Back in the car, I drove to the university. Parking at Georgetown was a challenge, but that day it seemed especially difficult. Finally, I found a spot and walked to the building where I would have my first class. Politics, a subject I loved, but which, that day, was the last thing I wanted to deal with.
Kourtney was waiting for me in the classroom. She knew about my suspicions. My period was very late. And when she suggested the possibility of pregnancy, I started to panic. She gave me a worried look as soon as I arrived and sat down next to her.
"Did you manage it?" she whispered, and I nodded, feeling the weight of anxiety in my stomach.
I took my laptop out of my bag, turned it on, and the class started. I tried to concentrate on the professor, but my mind was miles away, more precisely, at the hotel, where I thought it would be a good idea to sleep with someone I'd never met before. I scrolled through my contact list and clicked, checking once again that the idiot had left the number of a Chicago pizzeria as his contact. The next day, when I woke up, he had left a flower and a note. I called and found out that the jerk had pulled that stunt. But at least he left the hotel bill paid.
Words about politics and governance passed by my ears without being truly absorbed.
Finally, class ended. Kourtney suggested we go to the campus cafeteria to get cookies and coffee. I agreed, but said I needed to go somewhere else first. She gave me a sympathetic look and went to buy the snacks while I headed to the women's restroom. I went in and locked myself in a stall. With trembling hands, I took one of the pregnancy tests out of my bag. I held it for a moment, feeling the weight that small object could mean for my life. I took a deep breath and peed on the stick, trying to stay calm.
It didn't take long for the result to appear. When I saw the two lines, an involuntary scream escaped my lips and the test fell to the floor. My thoughts began to spin as I tried to process what I was seeing. I was pregnant. I couldn't believe it.
The cabin door suddenly opened and Kourtney stepped inside, her expression changing from concern to shock when she saw the test on the floor.
— Sienna... — he whispered, picking up the baton. — It's positive.
I couldn't answer. Everything around me seemed to spin, and then suddenly it went black. When I woke up, I was on the floor, my head resting on Kourtney's lap.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern. "I almost called for help, but I didn't want to tell anyone about..."
I sat down, but my head was spinning.
"I'm... I'm okay, I think," I murmured, trying to calm my breathing. "I can't believe this is happening. What am I going to do?"
Kourtney held my hand.
Everything will be alright. We'll figure this out together, okay?
I nodded, trying to absorb his words. But the truth was, nothing seemed right at that moment. I was pregnant by a stranger I hadn't seen since that night at the party. How could I cope with this? How would I tell my parents?
"What am I going to do, Kourtney?" I asked again, my voice trembling. "My parents are going to kill me."
"They won't go, that's a crime," he replied, trying to joke. "First, let's get out of here. We need a more private place to talk."
With her help, I managed to get up. I couldn't believe I'd sat on the bathroom floor at the university. We put the test back in the bag and left the bathroom. The drive to the car was a fog. The streets of Georgetown were full of students, and I felt like I was in a dream; everything around me seemed unreal. Kourtney drove to a quiet café off campus. We sat at a table in the back, away from prying eyes. I ordered a coffee, hoping it would help clear my mind.
"You need to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy," Kourtney said after a few minutes of silence. "These tests are accurate, but it's better to be sure."
I nodded. She was right. I needed medical confirmation. But the idea of going to a doctor, of dealing with this reality, terrified me deeply. I was eighteen, a freshman at university. How could I have been so stupid and gotten pregnant?
"And then what?" I asked, looking at my coffee. "What do I do then? What am I going to do with a baby?"
Kourtney took my hand.
You are not alone. I will be by your side the whole time.
I tried to smile, but everything seemed so overwhelming.
Thank you, Kourtney. I don't know what I would do without you.
She shook my hand.
One step at a time.
While drinking my coffee, I tried to imagine how my life would change. College, my career, my plans... everything seemed to crumble before my eyes. The rest of the day passed in a blur. I could barely concentrate in class, my mind constantly returning to the pregnancy test and what it meant for my future. When I got home, I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. So much so that I listened to my father's lecture without arguing. I just nodded silently and then avoided my family as much as possible, claiming I had a lot to study.
I locked myself in my room, needing to use all my mental effort to process everything that had happened. Night fell and I was still awake, my thoughts racing in circles. Finally, I picked up my phone and called Kourtney. I needed to hear her voice, I needed her reassurance and strength.
"I'm sorry if I woke you up again..." I said in a low voice.
"I was reading, it didn't wake me," he replied immediately. "Are you alright?"
"I'm trying to stay," I replied, feeling tears begin to stream down my face. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I have to tell my parents. I won't be able to do this, go to the doctor, get tested, somehow it might leak out..."
"I'm here, Sienna," he said, his voice soft. "Everything will be alright."
Those words, repeated several times throughout the conversation, were like a balm to my soul. I closed my eyes, listening to my best friend's voice and feeling a small spark of hope. And so, I fell asleep with my phone beside me, knowing that the road ahead would be difficult, but not impossible. In the middle of the night, I woke up startled and sat up in bed. I grabbed my water bottle and went to the bathroom, turned on the light, and looked at myself in the mirror.
I touched my breasts. They were small. I was a small, short girl, pretty, toned, with a nice butt, but breasts? They didn't even fill a hand. They were just pretty. And the only thing I felt was that my nipples were more sensitive. And now...
