Page 81 of Darling Beasts

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After locking Frosty in the music room with a bowl of water and pile of salami, we emptied the servants’ kitchen of all its fruit. Thankfully, the party prep was being handled in the kitchen at HQ.

Next, we grabbed three buckets and filled them with freshly picked oranges, and I hoped like hell dos Santos was right about cassowaries liking citrus. Luring him into the recreation pavilion was our only plan, and if that failed, who the hell knew.

It took seven minutes to line the bowling alleys with oranges and peaches and piles of grapes, plus a few leftover Halloween pumpkins. After sprinkling the fruit with crushed-up Xanax (stolen from Talia), we created multiple fruit trails leading outside. As Raj laid down each piece, Ivan and I stood on either side, guarding him with patio chairs.

Next we attached several pieces of PVC together, leaving one end by the door, and climbing up into an old tree house with the other. Trap now set, we waited. And waited. I forbade anyone from checking their phones, especially if they intendedto research whether cassowaries were good climbers. The HQ and ballroom weren’t visible from here, and I prayed the cassowary stayed on our side of the property.

We waited some more, and it was unsettling to be simultaneously bored and worried about imminent death. Each second passed like an hour, but after twenty minutes, the cassowary finally took the bait, following one of the trails into the recreation pavilion. When he stepped inside, we used the PVC contraption to push the door closed.

“We did it!” Ivan said, scrambling down from the tree house, a set of keys in hand. He raced over to lock the door, the very definition of “taking one for the team.” We’d previously pulled some kettlebells out of the gym, which he propped against the door to be extra safe.

“Wow,” I said, looking around.

We were all pale-faced, sweaty, and visibly spooked, and none of us were sure what to do next. So far, it was quiet in the pavilion. The cassowary was either busy eating or already drowsy from the Xanax.

I snuck a glance at Ivan. “Um. You’re probably wondering what that was all about...”

“Hey. No big deal. We all have our weird things,” he said with a wink, and I snorted. “Your dad warned me that sometimes you show up with animals, and I should ignore it if it happened. He didn’t mention ignoring might not be an option.”

“Unfortunately, we will have to ignore it, for a while at least.” I checked my phone and saw that dos Santos couldn’t get anyone out here until morning. It was better, I assured myself, to take care of it after everyone left, including Ustenya and Dad. “Do we think he’ll be safe in there?” I said, though what I meant was wouldwebe safe. “All the main buildings are pretty far away, but...”

“Don’t worry,” Ivan said, landing a hand on my shoulder.“I’ll hang out...” He nodded toward the yoga studio. “And keep watch.”

“But you’ll miss the party.”

Ivan sniggered. “Oh, I’m fine to miss the party. When else would I have the opportunity to add ‘dinosaur watcher’ to my résumé?”

Chapter Fifty-Three

Talia

Candles flickered. Music played from hidden speakers. Waiters stood with trays of champagne and Talia’s carefully selected hors d’oeuvres. The “ballroom”—really, just another of the Ranch’s repurposed white stucco, wood-beamed barns—was ready for its guests.

Talia glanced around, lightheaded thanks to the two glasses of champagne she’d guzzled in the kitchen. The question now was, where the hell was everyone else? She’d asked Gabby to comeearlyand—quick check—she was certifiably late. Talia was stupid for expecting anything different.

Their days at the Ranch were winding down, and nothing she’d imagined had come to pass. For a second, Talia felt closer to Gabby, only to discover it was a mirage and, over the past few weeks, they hadn’t been alone together for more than three minutes. It was partway Talia’s fault—all that menu planning at the main house—but a simple query like “What are you wearing to the party?” caused Gabby to immediately bolt from the room. It was time to face the truth. They’d never have the relationship Talia wanted. That went for Gabby and every other Gunn.

People trickled in, and still no Gabby, or Dad, or Ustenya. Still no Raj, either, and Talia felt embarrassed she’d read so much into his “compelling benefits” comment.I’m definitely not talking about letters of recommendation. Classic Talia, seeing things that weren’t there.

“Hey, Mindy!” Talia called out as the property manager whipped past in a two-piece lavender suit with big plastic buttons. It looked like something from an outlet mall, but who was Talia to criticize? She was grossly overdressed not to mention freezing to death in her skimpy, flashy dress. “Hold on! Mindy!”

Mindy hesitated, as if weighing the wisdom of full engagement.

“Have you seen Gabby? I’m kind of shocked she’s not here yet...”

Mindy slowly pivoted, a hard smirk on her face. “Yes, I’ve seen Gabby,” she said mysteriously. “A few hours ago, she and Raj were racing across the property in a stolen golf cart.”

“I’m sorry, what? Gabby andRaj?” Talia said to Mindy’s retreating back. The woman must’ve been confused. Talia could easily envision Gabby being party to a stolen golf cart, but the story sounded like Gabby andOzzie, not Gabby and Raj.

Thirty seconds later, the front door swung open, and in walked Raj. Talia felt a small thump of relief that he wasn’t off committing minor crimes with Gabby. She’d told him she was happy to be “just friends” and a friend was what Talia needed now, at this party she’d organized, to which zero Gunns had so far shown up. Talia snatched two champagne flutes from a roving waiter and bolted to his side.

“Raj! You’re late!” Talia chirped, rushing up to him.

Raj startled. “Jesus,” he said, clutching his chest. “Talia! You scared me.”

Talia looked at him cross-eyed. She hadn’t exactly snuck up on him. If anything, she could’ve been a bit more subtle, especially given the silver dress. “Sorry,” she said, passing him a flute, which he accepted with a quivering hand. A line of sweat ran along his top lip.

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