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"They're stolen plates, and I don't plan on them not knowing it was us," I tell him.

"I know that, but it will make it a little easier for us to get away. I've got tools in the trunk."

After throwing the plates in the car's trunk, we pull up to the gate, parking before entering the code and walking down the winding driveway to the isolated mansion in the woods.

"He said they're all by the pool. You should take care of the cars and then wait for me inside. I'm going to head out back."

"All right," Silas says. "Hey, wait."

"Yeah?"

"You can't just walk out there and fucking lose it. You know that, right?"

"I know. Look at me," I say, gesturing to myself. "I'm calm. See? Don't I look calm?"

"Yeah, you look calm," he says, flipping open his knife and shredding the tires of the truck furthest from the house. "Too calm. That's never a good sign."

"I'm fine. I'll see you in there."

I turn toward the house and enter through the side door. It's an open floor plan with a cabin-style interior—all exposed wood with a stone fireplace. The windows along the backside of the house make it easy to find the pool. I pause at the door, taking a moment to become…well, less myself, before stepping outside.

I scan the space, looking for Charlie, and when I find him, he's standing there…talking to her. My heart drops in my chest.

"Oh, hey! Over here!" Charlie says from the other side of the pool.

She's here. Fuck.

Well, she didn't have to be. She sealed her own fate.

Our eyes meet, and she goes white as a ghost. My body buzzes with electricity. I have to keep my cool, like Silas said; I know that. I head in that direction, forcing a smile, and once I'm in front of Charlie, he pulls me into a hug and kisses me on the cheek. "It's nice to finally meet you in person," he says. Then he turns to Noah and another girl, whom I know from my research is Brielle, and says, "This is the guy I invited. This is Tate."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Brielle; this is my house," Brielle says.

"You, too. Hi, Noah," I say, smiling.

"Oh, you two know each other?" Charlie asks. "How weird."

"What are you doing?" Noah spits out quickly.

"Nothing, I'm just—what was that?" And I shouldn't do it, but I can't help it. I reach out and grab her by her chin.

"Stop!" she shouts, trying to shake me off. "Get your finger out of my mouth!"

"What did you do to your teeth?" I ask after she shoves me away.

"Nothing!"

"Why did you do that?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"What the hell, dude? Are you okay, Noah?" Brielle asks, protectively wrapping her arm around Noah.

"I'm fine," Noah says, tears welling in her eyes.

"It was a weird moment," I say. "I'm sorry that your fake teeth took me by surprise, Noah."

"I'm sorry—herwhat?"