Page 178 of The Invite
The beautiful smile on her face as she sat behind me—it wrecked me.
I ached to see it again and again.
Since when did I care about making a girl smile? The answer is never. Not even Scarlett elicited this need and she’s the closest I’ve ever been to a person.
I need to finish this business with Anonymous quickly and sever all ties with Nessa. It’s for both our benefits, and I may stand a chance of getting my sanity back.
An hour later, I’ve barely crossed the threshold of my home when Scarlett ambushes me from the top of the staircase.
“Where the fuck have you been?” she yells, stomping down the steps.
I give her an impassive glance, and counter, “Since when did you start keeping tabs on my whereabouts?”
“Ever since you started being distracted and cagey.”
Bypassing her as I climb upstairs, I reply, “I’m still the same.”
“Then just answer where you were the whole night. I know you weren’t with Maverick.”
“I’m too tired for this interrogation.”
“Were you with Miss Davenport?”
The sudden calmness in her tone makes me halt. I slowly turn around.
Paranoia and malice are plain as day in her eyes. Along with the determined set of her jaw, conveying that if I don’t give her something, she’ll go searching for it on her own. When that happens, chaos ensues.
“I’m teaching her a lesson in screwing with me,” I lie with a straight face. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want it coming back to you in case Nessa pulled another stunt. Wouldn’t want to face Mother’s wrath if both of us caused trouble.”
Scarlett scrutinizes my expression, looking for any cracks, and relaxes her face when she finds none. Leaning against the railing, she offers, “I could help.”
Instantly turning her down will be catastrophic. So, I bury the urge and offensively ask, “Are you implying I can’t handle her on my own?”
She frowns. “Of course not.” Shrugging, she timidly says, “I need a distraction, Gus.”
“I have a plan for Anonymous.”
“You do?” She perks up, all thoughts of Nessa vanishing.
“I’m going to call Kaid and have them meet us at Maverick’s cabin in an hour. You call the junior girl and the nerd. I’ll share the plan with everyone.” Swiveling, I continue up the stairs and warn, “And stop poking around in my business, Scarlett.”
She wisely doesn’t argue.
***
“Ooh… sounds thrilling,” chirps Daisy as soon as I finish explaining Nessa’s plan.
Everyone is either stressed, angry, or seconds away from pissing their pants, while she’s practically bouncing on her toes like we’re in an escape room.
The girl is certifiably crazy. Though no one can tell judging by the bookish girl vibe she has got going on. Even today, she’s brought a novel along with her, which is perched on her lap.
“This is a stupid idea,” snaps Capri, popping Daisy’s excited bubble, causing her to deflate like a balloon. “Haven’t you heard the saying ‘don’t poke the bear’? Anonymous will go ballistic.”
“That’s the aim,” I say flatly.
“So, I’m guessing giving this plan a kickass secret name is out of the window,” Daisy drawls with an innocent yet hopeful expression.
“Yes!” growls Capri, looking seconds away from throttling Daisy.
