Page 69 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

“Don’t be nervous, Ness,” says Augustus as he navigates the SUV through the morning traffic.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

“Glad you did.” Flashing me a smirk, he confesses, “The second option was following you.”

I glare at the passing trees and huff. “I’m starting to think you’ll always look for excuses to chase me.”

“Always knew you were a smart girl.”

I pretend to be annoyed by his arrogance, but there’s a smile on my face. I also know he’s trying to distract me, for which I’m grateful.

After our earlier conversation, he had driven me back to my place after we showered together in his gigantic bathroom.

I was awestruck and gaping as he guided me through the richly decorated hallways and the living rooms to the front door.

His place is an enormous mansion, bejeweled with modern paintings and chandeliers in almost every room.

When he said he was done hiding us, he meant it. Because he made sure we ran into the staff and introduced me to the head housekeeper named Bertha. She is a pleasant lady in her mid-forties, who was as stunned as me to see someone on Augustus’s arm.

The truth was plain as day.

I was the first woman he had brought home.

It gave me butterflies and shot another dose of deranged possessiveness through my system.

After reaching my place, he watched as I dressed in a cream-colored power suit from my collection of formal wear.

His eyes lightning up with primal heat seeing me in the clothes he bought.

Afterward, he fed me breakfast. A bowl of cereal and a hot cup of coffee.

The latter was served with a casual but firm comment about replacing my slow coffee machine with a new one and ignoring the sputtering protest I made.

I blink out of the memory as he turns onto the hill by the school. The closer we get, the harder I squirm on the plush leather seat. My mind is filled with the worst-case scenarios. A set of iron doors with the school’s insignia—an eagle in a circle—is wide open and we easily enter.

As soon as Augustus parks in my spot—no clue how he knows—my nerves are frayed and I twist my hands in my lap.

A large palm covers them and gently grabs one. “Look at me, honey.”

I peer at him and become struck by the warmth in his eyes.

“Be my brave girl.”

Why did I think I could handle this alone? “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m your shadow, Nessa. You’re never alone.”

Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and step out. Augustus joins my side, looking ravishing dressed in a black shirt and slacks, and places a possessive hand at the small of my back.

There are no students present, but there are a flurry of staff and teachers roaming around. They pause and squint at us as we walk past them with prying eyes, while some are aghast. All of them recognize Augustus, immediately lowering their gazes if he deems them with a glance.

It’s strikingly clear they know he’s going to be the mayor of this town one day and to not get on his bad side.

Even with the power of his pedigree and legacy, it won’t be easy to win the elections when the time comes. Won’t being with me make it ten times harder?

I, sometimes, feel like a walking, talking bad luck charm for anyone who crosses my path. I’m like Medusa. Everything I touch turns to stone.

I should sever ties with Augustus and save him from an ugly end.

However, I’m bound by invisible forces.

“Miss Davenport.”

Greta’s shrill voice snaps my head toward her desk. She leans forward with her hands on the table and flickers a nervous gaze to the imposing man on my side. It seems even the standoffish Greta the witch isn’t immune to Augustus’s aura.

“I’m here to see Mr. Crane.”

“He called you alone,” she points out with hopes to get rid of Augustus.

It blows up in her face because he demands, “Is he in the office?”

“Mr. Grayson, I’m not sure you should—”

Augustus marches toward the closed office door and tugs me after him. Throwing the door open, he enters the room like he owns it.

Mr. Crane, who was staring at his computer, does a double take and scrambles to stand. He shrinks two sizes as Augustus shuts the door on an open-mouthed Greta’s face and turns around.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumor as well as seen the alleged picture floating around, and it is the reason you called Miss Davenport to your office.”

Mr. Crane’s Adam’s apple bobs as he attempts to mask his terrified expression. “Augustu—” One cutting look at Augustus and he changes his tune. “Mr. Grayson, I assure you I can handle the situation on my own. You didn’t need to come.”

My jaw hits the wooden floor.

Our last meeting was an act for my benefit. The curtain was lifted after I was forced to wait outside. Today, I’m experiencing the reality of it with a front-row seat.

“I’m afraid you can’t, Kevin, because you don’t have all the facts.” Augustus nudges me forward and gallantly pulls out a chair for me to sit. My nipples pebble as he curls a hand around the back of my neck possessively, and declares, “Nessa and I are together.”

“To-together?” His gaze ping-pongs between Augustus and me.

“Yes.”

“Then why would she complain back then?” The wrinkles on his forehead deepen as he frowns hard. “I don’t get it.”

“It was a misunderstanding that’s long since been cleared.” Augustus’s thumb caresses my pulse idly. “So, there’s no reason for her to lose her job.”

“Mr. Grayson, I still can’t allow it,” Mr. Crane replies cautiously. “A teacher cannot openly date her student. It’ll make for another scandal.”

“It won’t be an issue because I’ve decided to finish the rest of the year through homeschooling.”

He’s what?

“August,” I whisper, pleading with my eyes as he glances down at me. “Don’t do it. I’ll get another job.”

His gaze softens briefly before he resolutely says, “No, you won’t.”

Turning to Mr. Crane, he says, “If anyone asks for a statement, you tell them it was me who seduced her and I’m no longer a student here.”

“Is your mother on board with this?”

Augustus stiffens, making Mr. Crane wither at his cold expression.

The NDA. How did it slip my mind?

Elizabeth—Augustus’s diabolical mother—can come after me for breaching the contract. I don’t have the resources to fight her. From what I’ve learned about her from Augustus, she probably won’t even listen to her son. Even if my job is secured today, how long will it stay that way?

Augustus tilts his head and arches a single brow at his principal.

“I don’t need to remind you this town will be mine one day.

Not my mother’s. Not anyone else’s. So, think carefully about where your loyalties should lie.

In fact, let me make it easy.” A menacing grin darkens his face.

“I met your boyfriend’s son, Kenny. Wonder if Mrs. Crane knows about it. ”

The color drains from his face.

Even I tremble a little.

“Should I ring her up and tell her you’ve been paying his fees all these years?” continues Augustus smugly.

“No!” he hastily pleads. “Miss Davenport can keep her job. I’ll handle your mother. You have my word.”

“Glad we could come to an agreement.” Augustus tugs me to stand.

“Have a good day, you both.”

Lacing our fingers together, we walk out of the room. Greta climbs to her feet, rounds the desk, and rushes past us to peek into the office. As though she’s ensuring we haven’t killed Mr. Crane.

The moment we exit the building, I whip toward Augustus and slap a hand on his chest. “How long have you known about Mr. Crane’s affair?”

“Maverick texted me last night when I asked him to look into Kenny.” Shrugging, he says, “Didn’t know it’ll come in handy. So, I thought to kill two birds with one stone.”

“So, Kenny doesn’t have two fathers?”

“He does. One of them is having an affair.”

“Oh.” Everyone seems to have a skeleton in their closet in this town. “But why would you switch to homeschooling, August? Mr. Crane would’ve agreed to anything.”

Catching my wrist, he pulls me flush against him. “It was more for your benefit, not his. I know how much you love this job and I won’t give anyone the opportunity to question your integrity. My actions have damaged your reputation enough. It’s time I did something to fix it.”

How can he say he doesn’t feel when he thinks like this?

Hooking my arms around his neck, I stretch on my toes to speak against his lips, “I knew the risks of being with you, Augustus, and I went into this with my eyes wide open. I have no regrets and neither should you.” Kissing him softly, I murmur, “You didn’t damage anything.

Instead, you healed me with every touch, every word. ”

His gaze softens and he kisses me deeply to express his pleasure, then says, “Let’s get you home.”

“Let me go to the ladies’ room really quick. I’ll meet you at the car.”

Hurrying back into the building, I stroll to the teachers’ lounge. After relieving myself, I wash my hands and leave the rest room. As I’m passing by my desk, I screech to a halt. On the table sits a black envelope with a red capital letter ‘A’ engraved on the top.

Anonymous .

Nausea climbs up my throat as I wait for it pounce on me.

Did he follow me here? How long has this been sitting here?

I gingerly walk toward it and pick it up.

A notable tremor causes my fingers to shake as I flick it open and pull out the letter.

Instead of their usual poetic and mysterious words, today’s message is an angry scrawl.

Fake lies? Working together? Using bait?

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Did you think I’d fall for it?

News flash! I’m not that easy to catch.

I’m like the wind. You can’t see me, you can’t touch me.

And you sure as hell can’t catch me. But I’m everywhere around you.

Did Amber’s death teach you nothing?

Do I need to kill another one of you?

Perhaps your shiny new boyfriend?

That was a thrilling surprise.

Guess who played by the rules?

Queen little bee, Scarlett.

Yes! Your boyfriend’s little sister.