Page 35 of Her Devil

“You’re just our date for the evening,” Wyatt explains gently. “Despite how that came across on the journey over here. Our resident caveman isn’t great with explanations, apparently.”

“On the contrary, I think I explained myself more than clearly,” I grumble, the rest of the group starting to pick up on the tension as Tamsin looks between the three of us. “So, now that you’ve got a drink, how about we give you the grand tour?” I ask, attempting to divert the attention to something else.

“Yeah, do you want to come and see my bedroom?” Taylor asks with a wiggle of his eyebrows. “There’splentyI can show you up there.”

“Unless Jasper is joining you, I think that’s off the cards, my friend,” Wyatt says with a chuckle, tipping his beer back.

“I mean, I’m not—” Taylor starts, but Ivy cuts him off before he even has the chance to finish the thought. “Not happening, Taylor.”

Tamsin is decidedly quiet between them, and for half a second, it looks like she’s considering it, her gaze flicking up and down Jasper with interest. “Not tonight,” she decides with the tiniest hint of a blush.

The entire conversation is forgotten as everyone else arrives, the expansive kitchen being swallowed up with the other nine people in our party.

“I’m never going to remember who’s who,” one of the girls says with a giggle, looking from one black mask to another.

We’re all in black suits, and aside from the markings being in slightly altered places and different colours, the masks are almost identical too. I guess it would be tricky to tell who is who. I’m the only person with the keys, so at the very least, Ivy needs to be able to tell me from everyone else.

“Okay, how about this? Jasper, roll up your sleeves. Taylor and Jasper are easy to tell, they’ve both got visible ink, so that’s Tamsin sorted out,” I explain.

“Olly, if you go grab a red pocket square for me, that could be our tell for Stephanie,” Jacob adds with a nod.

“And you can take one of these,” Wyatt says, offering me one of the thousand shell bracelets that line his wrist. “That way Ivy will be able to pick us out.”

“Leo has those gorgeous blue eyes,” the girl in the red dress declares. “And George is in a cast, so that’s easy enough.” She sniggers.

Emmerson grabs a bandage from the closest first aid kit, wrapping it around his thigh in solidarity with George.

“Does that work for everyone?” I ask. Not that Ivy will be leaving my line of sight, but better safe than sorry. Various agreements ring out from the group as Oliver reappears, tucking a red handkerchief into my brother’s top pocket. “Right then, let's introduce this rabble to The Devils and The Angels of Pendleton Prep.”

Leo links his arm with one of the girls and heads out into the hallway, clapping his hands together loudly. For some reason, that’s enough to get people’s attention, and as more of them filter from the other rooms, the rest of us join him, with the main doors at our backs. The music cuts off, the DJ informing those who missed Leo’s subtle call to gather where they’re supposed to be.

“Good evening, everyone.” He starts this off like he’s some kind of leader, the gathered rabble hanging off his every word as they look at the fifteen of us dressed to impress. “Thank you for joining us tonight. Let me take this opportunity to officially introduce you to The Angels of Pendleton Prep.”

Whoever the girl is with him gives a little twirl, the black lace spinning out around her feet as the rest of the girls shuffle together and awkwardly follow suit.

“We are the Devils of Pendleton Prep, and anyone who wants to get to these girls does it through us,” Taylor declares, pulling Tamsin into his side roughly. Not just marking her off-limits, but all of them. I can’t argue with the sentiment, but the interested looks that flicker around irk.

“Let’s get to know each other a little better,” Emmerson continues. “The Devils hid some tokens around the house earlier today.” He flicks one to a random guy loitering nearby. “Find them and meet us out at the pool.”

“They’re only on the ground floor,” Taylor adds. “Upstairs is off-limits too.” Like he wasn’t just offering to take Tamsin up there.

The token is passed from one person to another, people gathering around excitedly for a peek before they disappear, scurrying to find the rest. Wyatt slides up behind Ivy, his hand landing on her lower back as he points out the different rooms, guiding her through the house and out to the back deck.

Despite the shitty weather earlier this week, it’s finally eased, the late summer warmth taking the edge off the most recent autumnal chill. My jaw clenches unintentionally as I watch his proximity to her. He’s more than aware she’s mine, he was in the car after all, and yet he whispers in her ear before she turns my way with a smile.Why can’t I get her to do that?

“Smile, brother,” Jacob intervenes, blocking my line of sight. “This is supposed to be a party and you look kike you’re about to rip his arm off and beat him to death with it.” I imagine the words tumbling from him with a smile, something the two of us have become adept at doing. He nods politely at someone as they pass us, a far cry from the tone of the conversation we’re having.

“Interesting thought, I might just run with it.”

“I think the idea of pairing us with our roommates was to avoid the death and destruction that comes alongside jealous tantrums, don’t you?”

“Sure,” I reply with a roll of my eyes, dropping it. “See you out there.” Stalking away earns me nothing but a chuckle that follows me out into the evening air. Jasper is already topping up the girl's glasses as Leo gets them comfortable on their viewing platform.

“So, what are the tokens for?” one of the girls asks, a creamy thigh sliding between the split layers of her midnight black dress as she sits.

“The tokens earn them the opportunity to take part in a game,” Oliver says as he passes the doorway I quietly loiter beside. “Truth or dare.”

“Really?” she replies with a scoff. “What are we, thirteen?”

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