Page 1 of Mastered By Bliss

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Gage

My phone won’t stop ringing.I put it on silent, but it continues to buzz and light up on the coffee table.

Dmitri, wearing his tuxedo pants and his unbuttoned shirt, stalks back and forth in front of the television.His path will soon wear a trail in the polished wood floor.He keeps dialing Leah’s phone.She’s not answering.

Where did she go?It’s incredible that she managed to sneak out without Dmitri and me realizing.

And Nic’s dead.

Dead.

I woke up to the call from Francesca Sterling.She broke the news gently.I don’t know how I feel about Nic.HowshouldI feel?She wasn’t the first person to sabotage my life, but she certainly did a good job of it.

Selfishly, I’m worried about the rest of the Shinies.Javi died.Nic died.Todd was hit by a car.Claudia was nearly run down.Who’s next?

I pick up my phone, even more worried about Leah.Irrational.She wasn’t inAcademy of Ghosts.She isn’t even an actor.

The most recent text message is from Jessica.It reads simply,Be careful, Gage.

She’s drawn the same conclusion I have: someone is coming after us.

“I can’t stay much longer.”Dmitri scowls at his phone screen.“I promised my sister I’d go to Easter Sunday service, since our parents are still being assholes.”

His sister only recently forgave him for hiding his relationship with Leah.It makes sense that he can’t break this promise.

“Where the fuck is Leah?”he mutters.

Impatience isn’t the only thing causing his irritation; I can tell he’s worried about her.The news of Nic’s death is recent.If the paparazzi find Leah….

The door opens.I stand up just as Leah comes into view.

“Shit, baby.”Dmitri strides toward her and cups her face in one of his big hands.“I was worried.”

Leah’s face is white.She holds up a bag and a to-go tray of coffee.Standing behind her is Seth Colton.

A swear word is waiting on my tongue.

“I just walked her back,” Colton says before I can speak.“We met in the lobby, walked to the coffee shop.When we were there, we saw the news.”

My words are tight and clipped short.“Thank you for seeing her home.”

He hears the dismissal, offers us a disarming smile, and disappears out the door.

Dmitri takes the coffee and bag from Leah’s hands while I march over and take her into my arms.

I’m mostly reassured.At least she’s here, safe.“Are you okay?”

“I…yeah.I wanted to surprise you both with coffee and breakfast, and then Seth was there.And then…people were staring.Talking about me.”She takes a deep breath, her chest expanding against mine, warm and soft.“Areyouokay?”

I breathe in, immediately calm.“I’m okay now.”

“Leah.”Dmitri hovers awkwardly nearby.“I have to go.It’s?—”

She pulls away from me to give him a hug.“Easter, I know.Your family has church.”

His mouth turns downward as he pulls back to button his shirt.“I’m only going for Danica.I’m sorry.”

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