Page 16 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

Ace surprises me by ordering from an Italian place and as he bragged, I do end up licking my fingers clean after finishing my meal. It was the most delicious white pasta I’ve ever had in my life.

Now, we’re both in my kitchen and doing the dishes together. I told him not to but he insisted like a true gentleman. I dry the items one by one while he washes them in the sink. I’ve caught myself admiring his forearms one too many times. Thank God he hasn’t noticed.

As the evening comes to an end, I become jittery.

I haven’t forgotten that Augustus was lurking outside my house when Ace arrived. I keep wondering if he’s still outside. Watching us through his stalking binoculars, wearing his black clothes, and plotting how to ruin the rest of my night.

As soon as Ace leaves, I’m locking my doors and wedging a chair under the knob for good measure. I’m also sleeping with a knife under my pillow.

While I’m protected in the confinements of my house after changing the locks, I cannot spend the rest of my life inside though.

What am I going to do if he ambushes me outside of work? I have zero self defense skills. For hell’s sake, I’m not even a fast runner. Pepper spray and a knife will protect me for only so far. Especially considering how much knives terrify me.

A sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach grows that Augustus is one scary opponent. Besting him won’t be so easy.

“How are you going to school?”

Ace’s voice jolts me out of my musings. “I took the bus and will continue until my car gets shipped here.”

Turning off the tap, he wipes his hands with the towel I provided and leans against the counter. “Your house is on my way, I can give you a ride until your car comes.”

“That’s sweet of you but I can’t ask you to do that, Ace.” I let him down gently. “Besides, it’s only a few days.”

“Didn’t you say I’m your friend?” he counters, raising one brow. “Let me help you, Nessa.”

“But—”

“I’m picking you uptomorrow,” he announces before I can finish his thought. His striking blue eyes become sharper as he gives me a stern look. “And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Okay,” I sigh, his tone suggesting he won’t budge. “Thank you.”

“You’ve thanked me enough,” he points out teasingly. “Next time, just accept my help. Okay?”

“Fine.” I nod, making his smile grow. “Are you this bossy to your students too?”

“Only when they’re being stubborn.”

I laugh and his eyes drop to my lips for a lingering breath. Clearing my throat, I take a step back after noting how close we’re standing. As much as I enjoyed spending time with him, I don’t want to give him thewrong impression.

He must realize the intimacy of our position too, because he straightens and murmurs, “I should go. It’s getting late.”

A panic-like feeling swirls in my belly at the thought of being alone.

Obviously, I can’t ask him to spend the night nor can I tell him the truth about Augustus stalking me.

Relax, Nessa. Augustus can’t break in.

I’m safe and protected, I remind myself.

“You can stay a little longer if you want,” I reply to Ace, unable to let him leave. “I can make coffee.”

Say yes. Say yes. Say yes.

“I do love a good cup of coffee,” he replies, smirking. “I’ll stay.”

“Cool.”

“Can you point me to the restroom?”

“Of course.” I revert. “It’s right down the hall on your left.”

“Thanks.”

Once he goes, I grab two cups from the cupboard while turning on the coffee maker. It’s nothing fancy but does its job. While it brews, I run into the living room to grab my phone and check the time.

It sits on the couch and as soon as I touch it, the screen lights up. At the top of the notifications, there’s a text waiting from Augustus. It reads he sent it a few seconds ago and his message glares at me, stealing the air out of my lungs.

@thedeviluworship: Send him home, Nessa.

Somehow his saying my first name sounds more dangerous than all the other nicknames he calls me.

Infuriation also burns in my veins at his order.

The last thing I should do is engage with him but my emotions are running high. Because I don’t have any self-preservation when it comes to him, I change my username with one that is bound to make him mad. A blatant middle finger in his smug face. Afterward, I open the chat and reply to him.

@nessatheatheist: No.

Once done, I close my phone, put it on silent, and straighten. I turn just as Ace rounds the corner into the room.

“The coffee should be done,” I tell him. “I’ll quickly grab it.”

He nods and takes a seat. I go to the kitchen and pour our coffees, and bring out thechocolate chip cookies I bought when grocery shopping. Grabbing the sugar, I carry everything into the living room.

When he sees my hands full, he rushes to help, and admonishes, “You could’ve called me.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t know how much sugar you like, so I haven’t added any in yours.” I sit down beside him and watch him put half a teaspoon of sugar and swirl it. I take a sip of mine and sigh in pleasure.

“This is good,” praises Ace after taking a sip of his.

“Thanks.” Holding my cup, I ask him, “Where did you grow up before moving here?”

“I lived with my aunt in New York before coming here three years ago.” Stretching one arm over the couch, he asks, “Why did you choose this town?”

So nobody finds me .

“I grew up in a big city too. I used to love the hustle and bustle. The fast-paced life, but after losing my parents, it all felt empty and meaningless. Everyone was running after materialistic things. I just didn’t want to be around it anymore. So, I came here.”

There’s an understanding in Ace’s gaze because something tells me he came here for the same reason.

“I hope this place becomes your home, Nessa,” he says.

It’s a cage of my own making. But I hope to fool myself into making it my home for as long aspossible. That’s if I escape Augustus’s wrath first. There seems to be no end in sight anytime soon.

“Do you think about settling down here?”

“Yes,” he answers after a beat, then takes another sip. “Once I find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, I’m convincing her to stay here.”

“If she’s anything like you, I don’t think you’ll need much convincing.”

After that, we both finish drinking our coffees in a peaceful silence. It’s been a year since I’ve sat and talked with someone that wasn’t forced conversation.

Half an hour later, I walk Ace to the front door and I see his car parked across the street from my house.

I lean against the doorframe, hugging my middle to ward off the chilly night air. “Thank you for coming over, Ace. I had a good time.”

“We need to do something about you thanking me at every turn,” Ace jokes, his hand curled around the door right above my head.

“I’ll try to work on that,” I promise with a laugh.

“You do that.”

“I will.”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” Bending his head, he says, “When I do, you’ll walk to my car and sit in the passenger seat without whispering a thank-you.”

I nod, fighting a grin. “Good night, Ace.”

“Good night, Nessa.” I suck in a sharp breath when he leans down and kisses my cheek. “I’m going to wait until you lock up.”

I’m too stunned to do anything but do as he says, inwardly appreciating his protectiveness. Whispering another good bye, I step inside and shut the door before twisting the lock until the final deadbolt clicks into place. I also do the latch as Hans taught me.

Quickly entering the living room, I wave Ace through the window. Only then does he walk to his car and drive away.

Here’s Ace caring about my safety and then there’s Augustus, who would rather eat and destroy me like a wolf.

I haven’t checked my phone since I sent him that text. I was angry when I sent it and now that I’ve calmed down, I worry I’ve poked the monster.

Dreading to check my phone, I decide against it. Instead, I call it a night and climb the staircase after turning all the lights off and double-checking the deadbolt and the latch are done correctly. I desperately need a good night’s sleep.

Walking into my bedroom, I close the door and switch the lights on.

A scream rips out of my throat.

“I told you to send him home an hour ago, little prey,” scolds Augustus, who is lounging on my bed with his back against the headboard and his ankles crossed.

His chilling tone reverberates around my tiny room.

Am I seeing his ghost?

H-how is he inside?

I was here the whole time and I just came after locking the doors. My heart thumps an erratic beat that I’m unable to get under control while I stand like a deer caught in the headlights.

It’s becoming a taxing reoccurrence.

A black hoodie wraps around his upper body while matching denim jeans strain against his muscular legs. Messy strands fall on his forehead, almost hiding his left eye. He’s arrogant and uncouth as he sits on my bed without removing his equally black sneakers, even if they’re marginally clean.

My stupid brain also notices how big his feet are, making me wonder aboutanother part of his anatomy that might be equally intimidating.

Thoughts like that are a slippery slope I shouldn’t go down.

“Did you enjoy your cozy date, Miss Nessa?” he drawls casually, but I don’t miss the ominous and territorial edge. “I wonder what Mr. Crane will think about you dating a colleague. It’s against school policy, I’m afraid.”

I shudder.

My tongue has stopped functioning as I try to process his presence.

Unless he has the magical ability to walk through the walls and doors, I’m at a loss as to how he broke into my place once again. I was just at the door, saying goodbye to Ace. He must be gone already, so calling him for help is out of the question.

Augustus’s sinister eyes narrow dangerously at my silence, and he warns in a dark voice, “Mr. Melrose better not have kissed you good night.”

I swallow and blink, trying to get my limbs—which have become asstill as a statue—to function. My first instinct is to run but he will catch me.

The only option left is to face him head-on.