DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 28

AVERY'S POV

A loud, blood-curdling scream yanked me out of my sleep.

I jolted up, heart slamming against my ribs, eyes barely open as I tried to figure out what the hell was happening. The sound came again—louder, desperate.

"FUCK! RICK, YOU PSYCHOPATH! I'M GONNA FUCKING DIE!"

Bryce.

I groaned, running a hand down my face. What the hell was he yelling about this early? I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, still half-asleep as I dragged myself out of the room, my body moving on autopilot.

The second I stepped into the hallway, the sight in front of me snapped me awake.

Bryce was tied upside down to a chair. His ankles were roped to the legs, his arms bound behind his back, and his head dangled just above the floor. And standing over him, ice-cold as ever, was Rick—tilting a bucket, pouring freezing water all over him.

Bryce thrashed violently, coughing and sputtering, his face contorted in pure misery.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU SADISTIC BASTARD!"

Rick didn't say a word. Didn't even blink. He just poured.

"What the fuck," I muttered under my breath, eyes wide.

At the sound of my voice, Rick's head snapped toward me. His gaze met mine, dark and unreadable. Then, just like that, he stopped. No hesitation. No explanation. He just set the bucket down and walked away like none of this was his problem anymore.

Bryce gasped for air, blinking rapidly as he realized his tormentor was gone. Then his eyes found me.

"Avery! Oh my God, Avery, PLEASE—get me out of this! This psycho left me here like a fucking carcass—" He coughed again, shaking against the restraints. "I swear to God, I will NEVER talk again if you just fucking help me—"

I crossed my arms, watching him struggle.

"What the hell did you do?"

"I DIDN'T DO SHIT!"

"Bullshit," George muttered, appearing from the side, already crouching down to untie him.

"You probably deserved it."

"I FUCKING DIDN'T."

Before George could fully set him free, Fred casually walked over, holding another cup of water. He looked down at Bryce's miserable, shivering form, grinned, and—without a second thought—poured the entire thing over his face.

"FUCKING HELL, FRED—" Bryce gasped, sputtering.

Fred threw his head back and laughed.

"Holy shit, that was even funnier than I imagined—"

The moment the ropes came loose, Bryce shot up so fast it was like he had been possessed. His eyes locked onto Fred, wild with vengeance.

"You little—"

Fred didn't wait for the rest. He bolted.

Bryce took off after him, feet pounding against the floor as he launched himself at Fred, fists flying.

"YOU THINK THAT WAS FUNNY, YOU LITTLE SHIT?!"

"IT WAS HILARIOUS!"

Fred dodged, still laughing, but Bryce managed to land a solid punch to his arm.

"Ow! Fuck, okay, I take it back—"

They crashed into a chair, toppling it over in their chaos.

I rolled my eyes, but a small chuckle escaped me. Idiots.