Page 75 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

The racetrack is situated on the outskirts of the town and is known as the Tanner brothers’ territory. The leader being none other than Wolf’s older brother Ares Tanner.

During the drive, we rode through the poverty-ridden part of Fallthorne. The difference in the state of the two sides of the town is quite stark. One is dripping with gold and opulence, while the other is barely able to keep a roof over their heads.

No wonder Capri and Amber scammed the school.

What other choice did they have to receive the same opportunities as the other students in the elite school? My chest pangs with the tragic end to their situation. Neither sister saw happiness. Instead, they ended up in an even worse place.

What if we’re right and Anonymous is Kaid? How betrayed and devastated will Capri feel?

As I recall the night I eavesdropped on their conversation in the classroom, Kaid seemed torn over losing Amber. His grief was palpable. Was it all an act? What would he gain by killing Amber? Because the signs seem to point to him. Amber knew only three people out of all of us.

Capri, Kaid, and Daisy.

Crossing off the first, the last two are our key suspects. Tonight, we’ll scrutinize Kaid’s behavior. It’ll be the first time he and Augustus will be meeting after the last one the group had. We’re hoping to see if he reveals who is his target in Anonymous’s latest note.

The soft breeze teases my clothes as Augustus takes a narrow turn and I secure my arms tighter around him.

I’m dressed in a tank top paired with my leather jacket and skinny jeans. My feet are encased in black leather boots, which Augustus gifted me today. His reason—I needed a complete biker girl outfit. I think he secretly loves to dress me up and spoil me with gifts.

I shift behind his back, lifting my head as I hear a crowd roar from somewhere in the distance. As the bike races faster, with Maverick riding beside us on his sports bike—not his Harley—the shouting and hooting gets louder.

Colorful lights shine in the distance. Their rays reaching us on the road, amplifying my curiosity. Idle bikes and cars are parked on the closed-off street with people in pairs and groups walking up and down it. Some dancing to the music blaring from the speakers in the distance.

Augustus and Maverick slow down their bikes as the crowd thickens.

I become nervous seeing these many people together. It’s the first time Augustus and I’ll be walking in as a couple in public. Can I handle the attention we’ll inadvertently draw?

He squeezes my thigh pressed against his, sensing my thoughts.

I feel the hawk-like eyes burning into us from every direction. I have a strong feeling they recognize the men I’ve arrived with. It’s me they’re trying to figure out.

Before we left Augustus’s house, he told me hardly anyone from the school came here. Only Wolf and Kaid will know me.

I clutch Augustus’s waist as he cuts the engine in the middle of the vast space with a tall, abandoned building nearby. The underground fights must happen there. With wide eyes, I take in my surroundings.

A makeshift DJ plays music.

Alcohol and drugs are being passed around openly like it’s candy.

Everyone is having the time of their lives.

Augustus dismounts, stealing my attention.

A ball of lust slams into me hard as he removes his helmet, revealing his masked face hidden underneath the ski mask. His stormy eyes—the only feature visible—will always be my favorite part of him.

They thrill me.

Scare me.

Hypnotize me.

I become weak in the knees as he unmasks his striking face. Full lips, a strong Roman nose framed by sharp cheekbones, and messy curls falling over his forehead, looking like a rugged devil in leather.

I shiver when his calloused fingers skim up my neck to unbuckle the small strap and slide my helmet off. My hair is tugged free next from the band holding it together in a ponytail. Fisting it, he yanks my head back and swallows my gasp by covering my mouth with his.

The kiss makes me lose track of my thoughts and I arch into it, letting him plunder my mouth any way he desires.

Nipping on my lips, first the top and then the bottom, he sucks them between his teeth. An ache forms in my core. His head slants as he deepens the kiss. He tastes me like a man starved and possesses me like a man on a mission.

Without losing our connection, I’m maneuvered into swinging one leg over the leather seats until my body is facing his completely. Pushing his hips between my thighs, he wraps them around his waist.

I moan at our tongues tangling together, the deep sucks and rough bites that erupt goosebumps all over my body.

A throat clears behind us—not Maverick’s.

I realize where I am and it’s like a bucket of cold water.

Yet Augustus doesn’t stop, he cups my ass and continues ruthlessly dominating my mouth. I’m buzzing with electricity, desire, and need. Only after he’s satisfied I’m dizzy does he slow down and pull back after one more deep lick.

Placing me on my feet, his solid arm curls around my shoulders as he faces the new company. I blink up at Kaid and Wolf. The former wears an annoyed look at being made to wait, and the latter is smirking lasciviously.

“Drop the smirk if you don’t want to lose your teeth, Tanner,” Augustus warns savagely.

Wolf whistles, and retorts, “Oh, it’s like that?”

I’m watching his friend, though. Kaid’s sharp gaze homes in on Augustus’s neck and narrows for a fraction of a second before resuming its animosity.

“She’s mine,” is all Augustus replies, daring him to say more.

“Why the fuck are you both here?” demands Kaid, before Wolf can open his mouth. “I thought we agreed to not be seen together in public.” Flicking his chin in my direction, he taunts, “I’m assuming you told her about A, being you’re both lovebirds and all.”

“Yes, I’m aware of A,” I say firmly. “I’m still your teacher, so keep teasing and the taunts to yourself. You too, Wolf.”

Kaid’s haughty gaze shoots at me. “You’re just Nessa after school hours, Miss Davenport. Especially when you’re in our territory. We’ll treat you however we want.”

The weight from my shoulders vanishes as Augustus goes toe to toe with an unflinching Kaid. Maverick and Wolf become alert, ready to intervene.

“Keep talking to her like that and you won’t have a territory to boast about.”

“We get it, Grayson.” Kaid throws up his hands in a peace gesture and smirks. “She’s your woman.”

I breathe in relief when Augustus backs off. “Did you receive a note?”

“Yeah,” grits out Kaid. “Capri and I both did. Delivered through a random kid again.”

Augustus’s eyebrow arches expectantly.

“I need to find what Daisy’s hiding or he exposes me.”

It takes everything in me not to react. The answer doesn’t bode well for him. If he had said any other name besides Daisy’s, we might’ve second-guessed ourselves. It’s too perfect they’re pitied against each other.

Plus, he hasn’t drawn the same conclusion as us that Anonymous is hiding among the seven of us. I wonder if it’s because he genuinely didn’t pick up on it or because he is Anonymous. To confirm, I need to read his note.

“Who did Capri get?” inquires Augustus.

Kaid shrugs. “She didn’t say. I’m guessing one of you.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t turn against us,” assures Wolf before snorting. “If anyone’s going to fuck up, it’ll be your reckless sister. I’m shocked she hasn’t already.”

My expression falters but I quickly conceal it as I catch Kaid observing me from the corner of his eye.

“Just because she fucks up your life on a daily basis doesn’t mean she isn’t loyal,” Maverick defends Scarlett.

Wolf doesn’t look convinced but remains quiet.

“Can I read your note?” I ask Kaid.

His eyes narrow in suspicion. “Why?”

“I’m comparing them and trying to see if I can get a hint from the notes. Or a pattern to help us uncover his identity.”

“Could be a woman too,” he counters.

“Yes. Could be.” I probe, “So, can I see?”

“I threw it away,” he replies. “Didn’t want anyone getting their hands on it. Besides, I already told you what’s on it.”

Jesus. He isn’t doing himself any favors. I’m beginning to think Augustus might be right. So, how do we prove it? Time is ticking and we won’t know who the SIM card belongs to for a week.

“We have no lead then,” surmises Augustus, returning to my side. “Does this mean we’re going up against each other?”

“I’m afraid this is where we part ways, Grayson.” Pocketing his hands, Kaid coldly says, “We tried working together. It didn’t work and landed us in even more of a mess. How about you protect your friends and I’ll look after mine?”

“You mean start killing each other?” Augustus says dryly. The tension crackles in the air. “Because no way our secrets are getting out. It’s the only play here.”

A dangerous glint sharpens Kaid’s eyes, and he taunts, “Scared you’ll lose if we play Anonymous’s game?”

“Hardly.”

“Let’s play then and see who comes out the winner.”

“It won’t be you,” Augustus arrogantly says.

Kaid opens his mouth to retort when a faint voice shouts from behind us, “Augustus…”

I whip around and lurch back in shock at the sight of a frazzled Kenny running in our direction. As he moves closer, I notice sweat dripping down his forehead while he wears a terrified expression.

He comes to a halt in the middle of our group.

“Shit, man, you still,” Maverick utters, disgusted. “Did you run all the way here?”

Kenny bends over, and gasps out, “Dais… Daisy… She’s been attacked.”

“What?” I say in shock. “When?”

“I don’t know, I just saw an ambulance take her,” he replies in a mix of sadness and fear. His emotions are so high that he doesn’t even process my presence. “It’s not looking good. I-I think it might’ve been Anonymous. We shouldn’t have pissed him off. We-we’re all going to dieee. Oh god—”

Wolf jumps back right as Kenny pukes his guts out.

Ignoring him, I turn to Augustus. “We need to go see her.”

He nods, and demands at a hyperventilating Kenny, “Which hospital did they take her to?”

“St. Mary’s,” he somehow manages to answer.

“Get him home,” Augustus tells Maverick, who nods tightly. Straddling his bike, he passes me my helmet after I slide on after him. He doesn’t bother with his before roaring the engine to life and we fly down the road.

I hope Daisy is okay. I can’t handle another death.

We were wrong about her. But Kaid—his behavior tonight made my hackles rise. There’s a high chance he’s orchestrated all of it. All we need is solid proof before telling the others.

The Massacre Ball season is beginning to turn into a massacre itself.

Which one of us will make it out live?