Page 61 of Liars

“You should try reverse psychology next time you want me to do something,” I muttered. “Might actually work.”

“Something tells me it wouldn’t work. I thought I told you to stay out of trouble.”

“Fine, I’m leaving.” The goal was to get him to think I planned to leave and then avoid him for the rest of the night.

Scowling, he shook his head. “I’ll take you home.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll get Poppy to take me.” A lie. I had no intention of going anywhere. I just needed to get Kreed off my back.

Kreed’s expression didn’t shift under the mask. “Too bad. I don’t believe you.”

A new voice cut in, dripping with amusement.

“What is she doing here?”

I turned to find Maddox watching us, a wicked gleam in his eyes behind the mask he wore. It reminded me of something fromPhantom of the Opera, obscuring only part of his face.

Kreed didn’t look away from me as he responded. “Leaving.”

Maddox tsked. “What’s the rush, big brother? I haven’t even had a chance to say hello to our sis. Looks like she could use a drink.”

Kreed’s voice was low. Dangerous. “Maddox, tonight is not the night.”

“Relax. I’ll take care of her.” Maddox’s smirk widened as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “I’m going to show her what being a Corvo is really about.”

Ice slid down my spine. “I’m not one of you.”

Maddox leaned in, his breath ghosting my skin, making my pulse spike. “Is that what you told yourself when you had your tongue down his throat?”

Fuck.

Maddox had seen me with Kreed, but the whole point had been for people to see Kreed and me together to further the narrative that he and I were an item. If Maddox bought it, I could only hope so did everyone else.

I smirked, shoving down the unease curling in my stomach. “Jealous?”

Maddox chuckled. “The party’s just getting started. Perhaps Kreed will be the jealous one before the night is through.”

I scrunched my nose. “Are you implying I’ll kiss you?”

He shrugged. “Would it make Kreed jealous?”

The idea struck me. And damn it, if I didn’t want to explore it. I wished Kreed hadn’t taken my mask off. I didn’t want them to see the intrigue undoubtedly crossing my features.

Maddox’s gaze flickered up, locking onto Kreed’s. “My brother isn’t the jealous type, are you?”

Kreed kept his lips neutral, bored even. “Do whatever you want. You always do.”

Maddox’s grin sharpened. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He turned back to me, his eyes gleaming. “So, what do you say, menace? You seem to like games. I have one for you.”

Kreed’s voice sliced through the tension. “Maddox, cut the shit. She’s leaving.”

That did it. Any doubts I had evaporated. “I’m in.”

Kreed’s jaw clenched. A muscle in his temple ticked. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Then, without another word, he turned and shoved through the crowd, disappearing.

I swallowed the sinking feeling in my stomach, forcing my expression into something careless as I faced Maddox again.

I wouldn’t let myself feel disappointed.

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