Page 98 of Gathered Sparkle

Annabelle blinks at him, then turns to me, eyebrows arched. “Youpuncheda guy?”

I shrug. “He deserved it.”

“He absolutely did.” Sylus leans closer, his grin widening. “But I didn’t deserve her vanishing on me. That part? Completely uncalled for.”

Annabelle snorts, shaking her head. “You mean you didn’t catch on that she was a runner?”

“She’s not just a runner,” Sylus says dramatically. “She’s amagician.One second, she’s there, all glitter and sass, and the next?Poof.Gone.”

“Sounds like you worked for it,” Annabelle teases, leaning on the table with a sly grin.

“Worked for it?” Sylus laughs. “Iearnedit. Blood, sweat, and tears. But it was worth every second.” His smirk softens as he turns to me. “You were worth every second.”

“Ugh,cute.” Annabelle groans, rolling her eyes dramatically, then she turns to Ace. “And you, fellow blondie? What’s your deal?”

I jump in quickly before Ace can speak, not ready to unravel my entire backstory right now, “We were together when we were teens. He’s from my hometown. I just… found him again.”Annabelle doesn’t know all the details of my past, and this isn’t the time to lay it all out.

Ace glances at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he smiles faintly. “Yeah, we must’ve manifested getting back together a lot.”

“So damn romantic,” Annabelle swoons, clutching her chest. “And now you’re telling me you need my help for… what exactly? Need a bridesmaid?”

“I wish,” Sylus mutters, while Ace shakes his head but doesn’t argue.

“No bridesmaid needed,thanks.”

Annabelle might be over the top, but she’s my safe place. And for once, it feels good to let someone into this insane, tangled life I’m trying to navigate.

The server returns with our drinks, setting down our caramel monstrosities. Belle takes a slow sip of her latte, sighing in exaggerated bliss. “God, I needed this. Okay, spill. What’s thisthingyou need me for?”

I glance at Ace, unsure how much to reveal. “Well, it’s not pure coincidence why I’m with these particular guys,” I start carefully, stirring my latte. “They need my help to pull something off.”

“Something?” Belle echoes, her eyebrow arching.

“It’s a show,” Ace says, surprising me by jumping in. “The Lane brothers are planning one pretty soon.”

“A show?” Belle perks up, her excitement palpable.

“Yeah,” Ace continues, sipping his coffee like he isn’t dropping bombshells. “But it’s not your usual magic show. It has a bigger purpose.”

“Which is?” Belle leans in.

“To bring down some very bad people,” Sylus interjects.

Belle looks between the three of us. “Okay, I’m intrigued. What do you need me for?”

Ace sets down his cup, meeting her gaze evenly. “We need to ensure the bad guys are in the crowd that night. For that, we need to make them come. They’re all working for Veronica Harrington.”

Belle freezes, her caramel latte hovering just shy of her lips. “Wait, VeronicaHarringtonis the bad guy?”

“Yes,” Ace confirms.

Annabelle’s gaze snaps to me. “But you said you’re with her son.”

“He’s not the bad guy.” I wince. “And technically, I’m not—”

“Okay.” Annabelle cuts me off.“VeronicaHarrington is bad with bad-guy employees.NicholasHarrington is good guy. Go ahead, Blondie.”

Ace shoots her a playful glare but continues, “We want to send a message that looks like it’s from Veronica to make them attend, but we can’t use her phone directly.”

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