Page 42 of Hush, Hush

I stare blankly at him. I have no idea what he’s talking about. “You know, I kind of thought you were normal, but this is a little much. Are you here for me?”

He reaches for my hand, but I step away. Sighing, he stares. “I gave you that note.”

Oh, shit. I completely forgot about it. I didn’t even bother to read the note because I’ve been so preoccupied with party planning and Keegan.

“Dee, you don’t know the whole story about what’s been going on. I needed to tell you.”

My insides squeeze. “You can tell me when I get back to campus. You’re not even supposed to be here, Tim.” I glare at the captain accusingly. He was most definitely not on his approved guest list either.

“It’s something you need to know now. There was a bet, Delilah. As soon as it got around campus that you were a virgin, everyone started making bets about who was going to take your virginity. Whoever does is set to make a substantial amount of money.”

I recoil, flabbergasted Tim would even be aware of the whole betting scheme some of the guys on campus had. Honestly, it’s just like them, but no one took it seriously except for their feeble attempts to ask me out. Cameron is the only one who talked to me in person. “How’d you hear about it?” He peers away, and a sliver of ice hardens over my spine. “You were in on it? That’s why you asked me to go out sometime that one day?”

“I wasn’t going to take the money,” Tim argues. “I just saw that you were suddenly with that dickhead, and I got worried he was using you.”

“That dickhead is my boyfriend. He’s been my on again off again boyfriend since we were kids. He didn’t—he’s not participating in some bet,” I scoff.

Tim shakes his head. “If you trust any of the rich assholes that go to your school, you’re delusional.”

“Keegan has enough money,” I protest. “He doesn’t need to win some stupid bet about my virginity, and I guess it’s not just the rich boys at my school I have to watch out for, is it?” I shake my head. I’m good at reading people, and it’s so damn evident that Tim was in on it. “Newsflash,” I tell him, stepping closer to get in his face. “The deed’s already done, so if you think that by showing up here and warning me about this bet that I’ll be so thankful I’ll just bend over for you right here, you’re wrong. Get a life, Tim.”

He flinches, his eyes shadowing over. His throat works as he eyes me. “Fine,” he finally concedes. He takes another look before turning and walking away, head lowered. My stomach tightens, and a moment of guilt pings inside me. What if he was only trying to warn me?

“Get on the boat, boy,” the captain demands. “I ain’t got all day.”

Before I know it, the boat is moving away from the dock. The engine growls to change course, and I stare after it, Tim peering right back at me.

I close my eyes and breathe out. I’ll deal with him later. Apologize,maybe. It’s best he left the island because if anyone saw him here, I’d get in trouble. How he even knew where to find me is another thing. Stalker much?

My stomach bottoms out, but I dismiss that thought right away. Tim doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would cum in a condom and put it in a bouquet of flowers. He seemed so hurt after I yelled at him, like a kicked puppy.

I breathe out, trying to get myself under control. Behind me, the voices of the ladies grow louder, so I turn, plastering on my “I’m good” face and leading them around to the various areas of the castle they’ll be expected to be schmoozing in tonight. While they’re checking out the dinner patio area, I pull my phone out and text Keegan.I need to talk to you.

He hasn’t played me. I’m sure of it. But he’s known about the bet. Maybe that’s why he fought Cameron and Tim. If he can get his hand on the list of bettors, we can send it to my dad to cross-check with anything we found in the bouquet and card.

The sky starts to glow with that orange-pink hue, signaling the start of evening. I check my watch and hurriedly gather the girls together to take them downstairs to the dressing room. The elders will be coming shortly, and after that, the boats will start arriving with the guests who were able to make it through the treasure hunt style opening.

It was a genius idea. If the invited guests weren’t smart enough to figure out the clues, they’ll never find themselves at the special dock to take the ferries over. That way, we can promote having only the best and brightest partying with the Knights on this special day. The Knights love exclusivity. They’ll be tickled to death with the outcome, and plus, instant small talk accomplished. Everyone will be discussing how they made it to the docks.

As we walk into the dressing room, the amount of high-pitched screaming I hear from the models spying their goodie bags is enough to make my ears ring. They start pulling items out, jaws dropping. “Be ready in one hour,” I call out, trying to talk over the melee.

“We’ll be ready!” a pretty redhead answers.

I make a mental note to get down here fifteen minutes before I’d scheduled myself to, just so I can make sure they’re all on time. Mrs. Dupont will also be watching out for them, but I want to pull my own weight when it comes to the girls.

As I slip from the room, I close the door behind me and pull out my phone. I have a missed call from Keegan, so I call him back as I stride down the hallway. I have to meet the Knight who left me the note in the billiard room before I can go upstairs and get ready. Keegan’s phone goes to voicemail. My heart beats faster as I search for the room I vaguely remember seeing on my tour. I leave him a message telling him that Tim showed up at the island, but not to worry because I sent him away. Then, I tell him my idea of using the bettor list to narrow down our suspects. “Love you,” I tell him, ending the voicemail.

Finally, I find the billiard room and take a deep breath. I fan my face to make it look as if I haven’t been running around for the past hour and make sure my dress is in place before knocking on the door.

A voice calls out, “Come in.”

I force a smile to my face and push the heavy wooden door open. The Knight stands straight after taking a pool shot. He sets the cue down. “Ahh, Miss Astor.”

My voice almost falters. I didn’t expect it to behimof all people. “Hello.”

“It’s good to see you. All of the party details seem like they are coming together.”

“They are, Sir,” I tell him, making sure my voice stays steady and even.

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