Page 104 of My Instant Karma

I’m buckling my strappy high heels when there’s a knock at the door. “Who is it?”

“Dante.”

“Who?” I ask with sincere confusion in my voice. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”

He opens the door, not caring if I’m ready or not. I’m happy to see the other two aren’t standing there and watching, even if I’m dressed.

“Excuse me, sir. That’s very rude. You know, there could be a force that rewards bad behavior like that.”

“As long as the reward is seeing you bent over like that.” He smacks my ass as I try to adjust my shoe strap.

“Hey!” I yelp.

From the hall, Kurtis grumbles, “Really? That’s just torture.”

“Dante, I could give you some pointers on ass slapping,” Evan adds.

“Guys!” I stand upright and glare at them since they watched Dante smacking my ass. “We don’t really have time for this.”

Evan glances at his watch. “We have thirty minutes. That’s enough for the basics and an orgasm or two.”

“Oh, so we get to have Tessa’s initiation ceremony after all?” Kurtis grins and waggles his eyebrows.

“She’smyinitiate,” Dante growls in warning. “All mine.”

My eyebrows shoot up at him claiming me in front of the guys. It feels significant, even though our fates are all unknown and possibly doomed.

We quiet at the proclamation, and I use the moment to take in these gorgeous men in tuxedos. All of them are handsome enough to be movie stars, and it feels as if we are ready for the red carpet.

“You guys look damn good,” I say.

“You’ll pass.” Kurtis winks at me. “Your groove thangs look great in that dress though. Dante’s a lucky…mentor.”

As I exit my room, I nudge Kurtis aside. “Shush.”

I suck in a deep breath, feeling the weight of what’s about to happen. Our lives are going to get out of hand soon. I understand their need to have a last laugh, but part of me refuses to let go and have fun.

“Wait.” Dante’s hand clasps my shoulder.

I glance up at him and then at the other two.

Dante tilts his head toward my room. “Guys, give us a minute?”

They nod and walk down the hallway as Dante pulls me back into the sanctuary of my bedroom.

“What’s up?” I ask, then I think to myself,Everything.

“I don’t know how tonight is going to go, but if I die, I need you to transition my soul.”

I shake my head, refusing to think so negatively. “No. You aren’t going to die.”

“I might.” Dante brushes his warm hands over my neck and down my shoulders.

“Iwon’tlet it happen.” I set my jaw.

“If we don’t have the power to stop her, then remember my last wish.”

Closing my eyes, I pray for a better outcome. “We’ll see.”

---