Page 65 of The Pact

“We’re taking you to the carnival. Candy apples, fresh squeezed lemonade, rides, cotton candy, games. Anything you want, it’s yours,” Cole coaxes enticingly.

Eyeing them skeptically, “All of us? I heard town events aren’t really your thing,” I retort to none of them in particular.

“You’ve been doing your research on us?” Damian crosses his arms and stares down at me. I shrug. “They aren’t our thing. However, we think it could be yours, so get your ass moving.”

“Before I move it for you, blue eyes.” Wesley surprises me. First, he doesn’t look away when I stare at him and now he’s threatening to carry me off. Interesting.

I close my eyes again, despite their shadows blocking the sun. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. What will the decent people of Willow Hill say when the boudoir photographer walks in with the Wolfe Creek Four? Imagine the rumors that will spread.” That’s the last thing I need. My business is already suffering from the issues with the software. I don’t need immortality being yet another reason I can’t get clients.

There’s a moment of silence and then I’m being hoisted out of my chair. “What the fuck?” The half pitcher of margaritas swirls in my stomach sickeningly as Wesley throws me over his shoulder.

“Let them talk,” Damian replies flatly as he bends down to hold my gaze. “If you couldn’t tell, we make good on our threats and our promises. Now, you know to listen the first time.”

I don’t fight against Wesley as he carries me inside. He’s too strong. He drops me to the ground and they all stand there, waiting for me to head down to the guest room.

I cross my arms—the tequila is making me bold. Damian rolls his eyes.

“I’m giving you one chance to go downstairs and get ready.” He stalks over to me. “Otherwise, I have no problem taking you out in this.” His fingers hook into the side of my bikini bottoms. He pulls them and then lets it snap against my skin. “Even if it means that I have to kill every motherfucker that looks at you.”

“Ow!” I’m going to wring his neck. But that look in his eyes is too serious, like he might actually drag me to the carnival in my swimsuit. “Fine,” I grumble and stomp off.

I make a real effort to pull myself out of my bad mood. The thought of sweets and rides seems like just what I need to get out of my funk. Jumping in the shower, I let the warm water wash away the tension the liquor couldn’t get to.

The only extra clothes I brought are a pair of jean shorts and a fitted white tank top. After dressing, I twist my hair into two braids that hang down my chest. Mascara and a coat of cherry red lipstick finish my festive look.

Bounding up the stairs, I find all four guys patiently waiting for me.

“Hello, Miss American princess,” Damian says appreciatively, not missing how each of their gazes sweeps over me leisurely. I roll my eyes and lead the way outside. “Bet Wesley’s regretting that decent ass comment right about now,” he mutters under his breath.

“He definitely is.” Sutton gives a low chuckle in agreement.

“Fuck off,” Wesley grumbles. I sneak a glance back and catch his eyes as they lift from my ass. I quickly turn back around before he can see the smirk I’m sporting.

I guess Damian was right. I don’t need to worry about Wesley.

I sit between Wesley and Sutton in the back seat of Cole’s Range Rover as we circle around, searching for a parking spot. Sutton’s hand rests on my thigh, as his thumb traces circles on my skin. His touch comforts the nerves that the tequila hasn’t killed.

The grand speech I made to Cole about not wanting to care about what others think sits heavy on my mind. It’s consuming me, not giving me the strength I need. I don’t want the stares or the whispers. I only want to have fun tonight.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Wesley glancing down at our hands every so often. For a moment, I wonder if I should reach out and take his, but decide against it. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable and possibly ruin the evening before it starts.

“Before I forget, Cole, have you heard anything about my truck?” His eyes look at me through the rearview as he answers. While I’m grateful that Cole’s been beyond accommodating with driving me where I need to go, I hate not having my truck. I’m not used to relying on someone for something as basic as getting around.

“Not yet, but I’ll call tomorrow to see if they can speed things up.” He smiles and I thank him.

When we finally find a parking spot, we all hop out and Damian gathers us before we head to the festivities.

“Listen, no matter what, we’re going to draw some attention. We never come out to stuff like this and we have a reputation whether or not we like it. So let’s not do anything stupid. Thea doesn’t need any extra stress, so keep the PDA to a minimum. This isn’t an exhibition.” He gives Sutton a long look. “Understand?”

We all nod, heading towards the lights and noise that are coming from what was a large empty lot days ago. The sky is darkening slightly and glowing lights in reds, yellows, pinks, and greens, along with the sounds of music, laughter, and screams, sends a thrill of excitement through me.

The men keep their hands to themselves as we buy our wrist bands, aside from the occasional palm on my lower back or the brush of fingers over my arm—mostly from Cole and Sutton.

“What’s first, princess?”

My eyes go wide, taking everything in. While the lights on the rides are all different colors, everything else is decorated in red, white, and blue. Hoards of people are dressed in similar colors or have flags on their shirts or hats.

“Rides first, definitely.” I scan over the options. A swinging ship. The Ferris wheel. Bumper cars. “Dizzy Dragons!” I screech and head towards it, not waiting to see if they follow.

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