Page 12 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

The reality of my situation truly dawns on me right at this moment.

I didn’t want to believe Ace’s warning, but he was telling the truth. Augustus Grayson’s family is no ordinary one. Every member is dangerous and a force to be reckoned with and I’ve just caught myself in their crosshair.

I basically served myself on a silver platter.

And let’s not forget, I’ve let Augustus touch me twice and enjoyed every second of it like a whore. My brain short-circuits around him and I can’t think straight.

He’s a mastermind at using my body against me.

Now, he’s invaded my home and has the audacity to tell me I’m the one who started the war when it was him.

Why the hell am I still letting him touch me?

And that gory mask? I shiver as I stare at it lying in the middle of my bed. It’s a dark red skull mask with its lips sewn shut to make it eerie with two hollow cuts for eyes.

It made him look inhumane.

Glancing away from it, I shove his hands off my hips and step back.

Pointing my finger at him accusingly, I snap, “I didn’t wage a war.

You did, Augustus. When you and your friend captured me in the woods.

When you cornered me after class. All I wanted to do when I moved here was to live peacefully, but you’ve ruined it all. ”

My chest rises and falls as I finish, but nothing on his stony face changes. No remorse. No guilt. Just a calmness that terrifies me.

I can’t decide whether I’m scared more of him in a mask or without.

The black compression shirt with full sleeves and matching black jeans molded to his ripped frame makes him appear menacing.

Even now, without the mask and messy hair, he looks larger-than-life.

“As entertaining as that speech was, it doesn’t change anything,” he says after I’ve squirmed for long enough.

“I may not go to the cops,” I admit, trying one last tactic. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t tell Mr. Crane everything you did tonight. I’ll get you expelled.”

He can kiss his chance of ever becoming a mayor goodbye.

I may not be a politician, but I do know a record like this on his résumé will raise suspicion about his integrity and aid the people looking to uncover his dirty secret.

I’m not above using it as a leverage.

Rising to his full, intimidating height, Augustus says nothing and walks past me. Have I scared him with the threat of Mr. Crane? My little smugness turns to nerves when instead of moving toward the door, he strides to the mantel behind me and leans over to pick something.

He turns and I catch sight of the phone in his hand, just as he hits a button.

My jaw drops when my moans fill the bedroom, sucking all the air out of it.

Dread blasts inside my bloodstream when I listen to my cries in horror.

He recorded us!

“Two can play at that game,” he taunts.

Sauntering to where I’m standing, shell-shocked, he flips the screen and points it gloatingly in front of my face. Like watching a morbid train wreck that I don’t want to, my eyes drop to his phone and I see myself writhing on my bed while he straddles me.

He has smartly kept his face away from the camera while there’s no hiding my nude body. The curve of my left breast shaking and my nipple pointed toward the ceiling, down to his wrist thrusting between my thighs, is visible.

The longer it plays, the harder I realize I don’t sound like a woman being assaulted. I’m moaning like a woman in the throes of passion by her lover.

Only I know it’s a manipulative and vindictive lover.

“You tell Mr. Crane I came here tonight.” The cruel lover’s dark voice penetrates past the drumming in my ears.

“I’ll show him this. Once he listens to your beautiful cries as you came on your student’s fingers, the one you accused and got suspended, then fell straight into his arms the next night, you’ll be the one getting fired. ”

I make a grab for his phone and with a chuckle, he steps back.

All I catch is thin air.

Stopping the video, he pockets his phone and tilts my chin with a finger. “You lost, Miss Nessa.”

“No,” I whimper, refusing to accept my fate.

“You’re mine now, little prey.”

“No!”

“Welcome to the first day of your hell.”

Dropping his hand, he picks up his discarded mask and exits my bedroom. I fall to my knees near the bed and sit numb until I hear the front door of my house slam shut. I can still feel his daunting presence and his deep voice echoing around like a dark cloud on a stormy night.

Augustus will be back.

I believe him when he says he’ll be my shadow.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

I’m trapped with no way out.

Was this his plan all along? Is this why he didn’t fight hard against getting suspended? I think he was more upset that I stood up against him despite his threat rather than trying to get him and his friend expelled.

When I wished that I didn’t want to be alone, this wasn’t how I imagined it would be. A monster for a companion.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

I jump at the loud sound.

Is he back so soon? Is he taunting me by ringing the bell? Hasn’t he toyed enough with me for one night?

High anger spikes in my gut and I lurch to my feet. He might be the devil of my hell but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight him every step of the way.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I stomp toward the door and fling it open.

“Why are y…” I trail off when there’s no one on the other side.

The street is dark and deserted.

But I swear I heard the bell.

Annoyed, I step inside and I’m about to close the door when a black-and-red envelope on the mat catches my eye.

Who would leave me that?

Quickly picking it up, I rush inside and lock the door. First thing tomorrow, I’m changing all the locks—another expense that I can’t afford—to make sure Augustus stays outside. I hate that my paranoia came true tonight.

I had such a fantastic day with Ace.

He genuinely uplifted my mood, went to the woods with me, and patiently searched until we found the ditch my suitcase fell into.

In the broad daylight, it wasn’t as deep as I thought the previous night.

With Ace’s athletic build and tall height, he was able to jump in and get it out without breaking a sweat.

I owe him one.

Switching on the light in the living room, I sit down on the couch and study the mysterious envelope. It’s smooth. Feels expensive with an extra shine. The letter ‘A’ is embossed in red ink in a circle on the front. Below it ‘Anonymous’ is written in beautiful cursive.

I stare at it hard and unblinking, too scared to open and read what’s inside.

My heart and mind say nothing good will come out of it.

Or perhaps it’s a prank by one of my students? Greta did warn me about them. Just not about how corrupt and influential they are.

Heart in my throat, I flip it open and pull out the folded-up note. The text is printed instead of handwritten. The first thing I notice is the scent of the paper like it’s fresh off the print. The white paper is thick and of supreme quality.

I read the message.

Secrets are the new currency.

Wait, I forgot who I am talking to.

You, of all people, know it.

But did you know that I know yours?

A hint: Roses are red, Violets are blue,

I know the killer and she’s on the loose.

Don’t worry, I have no intention of revealing it… yet.

Unless you play my game and come out the winner.

A secret for a secret.

Yours for another’s.

A week and then I’m coming to collect.

Xoxo, A.

Oh, and welcome to Fallthorne, Nessa.

I swear I forget how to breathe while colorful spots dance in and out of my vision.

I read the cryptic letter over and over, willing myself to not go into a panic mode.

This has to be a silly prank with The Massacre Ball looming around the corner.

My secret is safe. Whoever has sent me this is betting on me being foolish enough to believe it.

Well, I’m not playing around with them.

The only danger I have in my life is Augustus Grayson. I cannot worry about some anonymous blackmailer.

Crushing the paper and the envelope in my fist, I march to my kitchen and throw it in the trash can.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Drinking a glass of water, I fix my parched throat. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until now. When I move to put my glass in the sink, I notice the previous one and suppress a shudder.

Augustus is certifiably crazy.

I mean, who makes themselves at home in someone else’s house? An unhinged and arrogant person, that’s who. Despite being suspended, he’s walking around as though he’s untouchable. Sadly, he is.

He’s gone for half an hour and I’m still rattled.

It’s been a long day. Everything that occurred today is catching up to me and I’ve never felt more drained of energy. My mind is a jumbled mess and my body is still tingling from a forced orgasm.

I drag myself upstairs to my bedroom.

When I enter, the memories from the evening flashes in slow motion. I remember how I jolted from head to toe when I saw my lost phone sitting innocently on the mattress. It now lies on the floor. It must’ve fallen when he wrestled me to the bed and we scuffled.

Bending, I grab and put it on the mattress.

The family picture is right where he placed it.

My parents’ smiling faces stare back at me.

Except, the happiness I once felt every time I looked at it is now tainted.

Crossing the distance, I pick it up along with my folded clothes left on the chair by Augustus and carry it into the closet.

Dumping the garments, I bury the photo frame at the bottom.

Removing the robe, I put on a fresh pair of panties and an old off-the-shoulder tee.

Walking out, I climb straight into my bed and lie down. But I’m unable to shake off the memories of what Augustus and I did in it. Desperately needing a distraction, I snatch my old phone, which still has all my data, and unlock it.