Page 137 of The Forbidden Note

“You think he was a part of The Grateful Project?” Cadey asks.

The boys go deathly silent. They’ve said nothing but negative things about their father, and yet seem reluctant to admit that he went that far. I guess a controlling man on a perpetual power trip is more palatable than one who was manipulating and exploiting underage girls for… who knows what?

Zane flips his stick around. “If dad was in on it, it’s better for us. We can take him down with the evidence. Kill two birds with one stone.”

“If dad is involved, it won’t be that simple,” Finn shoots back.

“Right now, we’re focused on getting those boxes out of the basement. If dad was involved or not, we’ll find out then,” Dutch says.

Cadence clears her throat. “Since Viola is sleeping, I’ll make breakfast and then wake her up to help us shop for dresses. Miss Jamieson—I mean, Grey…” Cadence blushes. “Can I call you Grey when we’re not at school?”

“Oh… sure…”

“We’re thinking of leaving around eleven. Is that okay with you?”

“Um… leaving to go where?”

“Do you have an outfit for tonight?” Cadey asks.

“I’m not going to the dance. I already told admin that I wasn’t feeling well, so they’re not expecting me.”

“I think you should come,” Cadence says. “It’s too risky if you show up with the caterers. What if someone recognizes you and asks why you’re working back there?”

I hesitate.

“At least look at the dresses? It’ll be fun,” she adds.

I clear my throat and carefully avoid Zane’s gaze. “Are the boys coming on our shopping trip?”

“No.”

I sigh in relief. An afternoon away from Zane’s intense caresses sounds like heaven.

“Then I’m in.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR

GREY

I’m not expecting Cadence and her friends to shop at a high-end boutique. And I definitely don’t expect the VIP treatment when I get there.

“You must be Grey,” a woman with platinum blonde hair and a bright smile says to me. Her eyes slide down my frame. “Yes… mm… oh, he gave perfect measurements.”

“Excuse me?”

“Zane called ahead. I was admiring his accuracy. I think we picked the perfect dresses for you to try.”

“Zane?” My fingers curl into fists.

Cadence gives me a secret grin.

“You younger ladies can’t drink wine, but we have some liquor free champagne if you’d like.” The clerk gestures to a table. “Miss Jamieson, follow me please.”

Breeze and Serena fall into the stuffed chairs near the front of the shop.

Viola goes straight for one of the dress racks.

Cadence heads to the shoe section.

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