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“He’s not a cheater,” I confirm. “And neither am I.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, babe,” Maya says, locking her eyes with mine. I hold her gaze, and we stare each other down, neither of us willing to be the first to break it.

“And if you’re on the show to defame me,” I say coolly, “you should think carefully about what you can prove. My lawyer’s already advised me about my rights. We had a meeting before I left.”

This, of course, is a bald-faced lie. I don’t have a lawyer, and if Dad does, I’ve never been informed. Do peoplehavelawyers when they aren’t criminals yet? Regardless, it sounds intimidating, and I need intimidating right now. Without it, I run the risk of Maya turning me into the world’s punching bag on the very first night. Jordydidsay she knows how to spin a story. I was warned. And now I know what I’m dealing with, I have to admit, I’m a little worried. More than a little worried, in truth.

“Oh, good,” Maya spits. “I love being threatened into silence. Thisreallyconvinces me you didn’t know what he did.”

“I’m not threatening you, Maya,” I say. “I’m just saying,let’s keep the drama away from the cameras. For both of our sakes.”

“You’re lucky,” Francesca mutters. “If it was me you were accusing, I’d just sock you and be done with it.”

“Me too,” Kim says. “But figuratively.”

“I meant figuratively.”

“Did you?”

“I’m not going to actually sock someone, am I? Not when there’s cameras.”

“You’d probably have to borrow Skye’s fake lawyer if you did,” Perrie says.

I look at her sharply, and she gives me a sweet smile.

“Whatever,” Maya says, leaning an elbow on the lounger armrest. It’s as though she’s trying to look nonchalant, but the expression on her face implies she’s anything but. “Don’t bother me and I won’t bother you, okay?”

“Sounds wonderful to me,” I say, as the girls tug me to go back inside.

Perrie calls out after us, “Just because there’s more of you, it doesn’t make you right!”

Francesca throws her middle finger up as we leave.

“Bloody Americans,” Kim mutters.

“I’m American,” Lauren says, wounded.

I glance over my shoulder before we reach the door.

Maya’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my stomach drop.

I’m not entirely sure I believe her promise.

SEVENMaya

The ballroom is buzzing with frantic energy and activity when Perrie and I get there after dinner. The folding chairs that were set up earlier have been swept aside, and in their place are racks and racks of floor-length dresses, heels, and jewelry. Seriously, they could stock half a department store with this collection.

As soon as Isaac spots me, he tears me away from Perrie, who is sunshine and goodness, and brings me over to Skye, who is Satan’s mistress. If Isaac wants to have a good working relationship with me, he’s not off to a great start.

Skye’s being fitted into a floor-length black gown that makes her look at least two inches taller. When she sees me, her eyes flash and she raises her chin like she’s looking down on me. I’m still half a head taller than her, so that’s pretty fucking rich.

“Hi,” I say in a clipped voice.

She just stares me down, then looks right past me like I don’t exist. If it weren’t for the tiny, cocky smile touching the corner of her mouth, you’d think she hadn’t heard me at all.

Keep your cool,I remind myself.There will be camerasaround all night. It’ll be almost impossible to plead innocent if you’re filmed lunging at her.

Ignore her.