Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 58

ALLISON’S POV

+25 Points

A cold shiver skates down my spine as Black pins me with a hard glare, and I have to fight not to let my mask crack. For half a second, I actually thought his decent looks meant he’d be slower on the uptake but I guess that’s wishful thinking. Cute doesn’t equal stupid. Tragic.

Still, I’ve played worse roles than clueless flirt with zero survival instincts.

“Why would I lie about my name?” I ask, blinking up at him like the thought itself is exhausting. “You can

call me Maddy, though.”

I twirl a strand of hair around my finger, my eyes drifting lazily over the knife embedded in the table like it’s nothing more than a dramatic centerpiece. Guys like him feed on fear and the moment he smells it, I’m

done for.

Besides, if I’m going to get anything out of Black, I need him relaxed, entertained… and just a little bit off

balance.

“So,” I add lightly, leaning back in my chair, and crossing my legs. “Are you always this welcoming, or am I

just special?”

He pushes forward, his brows knitting together. “You know, I’ve been doing this for years, and not once has some random girl waltzed in here asking for cash.” His gaze sharpens. “So… I’m gonna need to see some ID and I want the name of this friend who told you about me.”

I swallow, keeping the smile glued to my face even as my stomach knots. At this point, I’m pretty sure I look like a constipated cat trying to grin through pain.

He’s sharp, way sharper than I gave him credit for. He’s not the type to get dazzled by a pretty face and an

innocent act but someone who dissects situations instead of reacting to them. Which means I’ve officially wandered into dangerous territory.

With a scoff, I roll my eyes. “You’re basically asking for my entire life story when I don’t even know if you have the kind of cash I’m looking for.” I cross my arms. “That’s kinda sketchy and I really don’t want to start thinking you’re a scammer.”

His jaw tightens, shock and irritation flashing across his face in equal measure.

Bingo.

In my experience, calling shady people out before they get the chance to control the narrative throws them off balance. It flips the power dynamic, even if just for a second and judging by the way Black’s grip tightens around his knife, I’ve definitely hit a nerve.

“Yo, if I were a scammer, would you even be hearing about me?” he snaps, jabbing a finger In my direction. “Would your friends send you here?”

<Chapter 58

+25 Points

I lift one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I’m just saying. I dragged myself all the way to this rundown shack or whatever, and you don’t exactly seem grateful.” My gaze flicks around the room slowly, letting a faint curl of disgust tug at my lips. “This isn’t exactly the kind of place a girl like me hangs out.”

He stares at me like I’ve grown a third head and my heart is pounding so hard against my ribs I’m

half-expecting it to give me away.

Don’t figure me out. Don’t figure me out.

The words loop through my head as I twist my fingers together under the table, panic clawing at my

insides. And somehow, I still have to smile.

“You’re weird,” he mutters, then leans back in his chair, twirling his knife between his fingers. He studies me as if he’s trying to solve a puzzle he doesn’t like. “I still need to see that ID.”

I square my shoulders. “I don’t have one here.”

“No?”

“Nope.” I pop open my purse and pull out a tube of lip gloss, holding it up between us. “This is the most useful thing in here. So you can either admit you’re stalling because you don’t actually have the kind of cash I need-“I lean in, lowering my voice just a notch. “Or we do business.”

For a moment, he just stares at me and then slowly, he exhales. “How much do you need?”

I shrug. “My dad froze my card, so…”

“Card?” Interest flickers in his eyes and he studies me more carefully. “You must be loaded, Maddy.”

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