Page 91 of Our Darkest Summer

His brows furrowed. “A plan?”

Thomas and I exchanged a glance before bringing him up to speed. When we finished, he exhaled and dragged a hand through his curls.

“Okay… so you want me to send a text?”

I nodded. “Thomas never wrote in the group. It would be suspicious if he suddenly did. But from you, it’ll seem natural. I’ll lead you up.”

Connor hesitated for a second, then pulled out his phone.

“Alright,” he muttered, then started typing.

THE MYSTERY CREW

ME

No new clue yet.

CON

But dad’s coming through town on the night of the fourth. He said he’d stop by Braxton’s party to say hi. Maybe he can help somehow…

Connor exhaled, locked his screen, and then flicked his eyes between us. I met his gaze, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us.

“And who exactly are we expecting to react?” he asked, hugging his arms around himself.

“Whoever’s been watching us.”

Thomas’ words hung heavy in the air, like a storm cloud full of unspoken implications.

The plan was in motion.

Now all we had to do was wait.

Chapter Forty-One

Kinsley

The music pulsed around us,shaking the ground beneath my feet as we moved through the crowd. It was already past nine, the sky deep purple as the last traces of sunlight faded beyond the treetops. Fireworks would start soon.

I scanned the people around me, Thomas’ presence pressing into my back. Braxton’s party was packed. Bodies swayed to the pulse of the music, red and blue string lights casting a hazy glow over the yard. Laughter and shouts blended with the bass-heavy music, but I barely registered any of it.

We were looking forher.

For themask.

Thomas leaned down so I could hear him over the noise. “Do you see it?”

I shook my head, a frustrated knot tightening in my stomach. No sign of Samantha. No sign of the mask either. I checked myphone, but Connor didn’t send anything that indicated he had better luck inside the house.

Braxton said he got Samantha to come, or at least, she said she would. But as the minutes dragged on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“You two lookwaytoo serious for a party.”

I barely had time to react before Braxton threw an arm around my shoulders, grinning at both of us from behind his sunglasses. A bottle of gin dangled from his fingers, the smell of alcohol clinging to his breath.

“Youdoremember why you’re here, right?” he added, glancing between me and Thomas. “You have toblend in. Standing around looking like the FBI isn’t exactly casual.”

Thomas gave him a flat look. “Because getting drunk is.”