Page 231 of The Invite
Don’t ruin the game.
There can only be ONE winner.
Kenny or you.
The choice is simple.
Expose him or kill him.
Do neither and I’ll expose you at The Massacre Ball.
Xoxo, A
My throat is dry as I question in an ominous tone, “Who’s Matthew, Augustus?”
“My uncle.”
The air whooshes out of my lungs. The uncle that’s been missing for years. Bit by bit Anonymous’s words begin to fit together. Especially as Augustus’s admission replays. “Is he who you killed?”
“Yes.” Pinning me in place with a remorseless gaze, he emotionlessly admits, “I killed him when I was fourteen.”
My world tilts on its axis. “Why?”
“I caught him raping Scarlett.” The hand resting on his knee curls into a fist while his features darken. “It wasn’t the first time.”
I can’t shake the fury attacking my veins or the despair for what Scarlett suffered. The poor girl. They were both kids to suffer something this horrific. Kneeling beside him, I clutch his hand. “I’m so sorry, August.”
His fingers squeeze mine. “He came to live with us after my mother remarried him a year after my father’s passing. He worked under my dad and was elected as the new mayor. I hated him even before I found out about his proclivities. I hated my mother more. She expected us to accept him as our new father like my dad was a toy she could replace.”
I ache to hug him as silent tears drip down my face. I feel his pain like it’s my own. “I’m glad you killed him. He deserved to die.”
“You don’t want to run from me?” he asks low. “Most women would.”
“No,” I reply in a heartbeat. “You protected your sister and it makes me love you even more.”
A rough exhale shakes his chest as though my answer lifted a heavy weight off him. “I haven’t told a single soul about this. Only you.”
I feel disgusted with myself. He’s trusting me and here I am, digging the knife deeper into his back.
“Where did you hide his body?” I need to know so I can keep Michael and Arjun’s attention away from it.
His lips curl in an evil smirk. “My mother was getting the house renovated and a big construction crew was working. They had taken the weekend off and she was out of town. Scarlett and I buried the body in her office. It wasn’t easy and took us all night. Luck was on our side because we didn’t get caught.”
I’m speechless for long seconds. “She has no idea?”
“She does now.” I frown, making him explain, “I confronted her today.”
“Why would you tell her after all these years?”
“Because she threatened you,” he grits out. “She wanted me to end it with you because you’re distracting me from my goals.”
“Becoming the mayor.”
“I told her it won’t happen because I’d much rather rot in jail than live without you.”
My shoulders slump, while my eyes lower in shame as I sigh, “August.”
A possessive hand wraps around my throat, bringing my face up to his. His blurry face fills my vision. “You’re worth it, Nessa. She realized my love for you and backed off. As long as I do what is expected of me.”
