Page 123 of The Invite
Are we the only players? That remains to be seen.
“I think we all know why we’re all here,” answers Kaid dryly.
After a beat, everyone says in unison, “Anonymous.”
No point in beating around the bush.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” booms a well-known voice, making my spine snap straight.
All of us turn to gaze at none other than my sister.
I glare at her and say in a low tone, “I told you to stay at home, Scarlett.”
She’s too busy throwing daggers at Kaid and Wolf to spare me a glance.
Her heels click on the floor as she goes straight to Kaid, stabbing a finger against his chest, and accuses sharply, “Are you behind this? Did you kill her?”
The strange girl standing to the side stiffens as pain briefly flashes in her eyes. She must be the real Capri.
It was an absolute shock to learn that her little sister, Amber, was acting as Capri all this time. Quite impressive and sneaky of them that they managed to keep up the façade for half of the year. Probably would’ve succeeded if someone hadn’t outed their secret.
“Sheath your claws, Catwoman,” warns Wolf.
Scarlett’s jaw tightens in fury and she drops her hand from Kaid’s chest. Before she can hurl an insult back, he answers her earlier accusation.
“Snooping into other people’s business is your thing, spoiled princess,” he counters with a sneer. “For all we know, you could be Anonymous.”
I don’t intervene, knowing it’ll piss her off, and simply watch them bicker. So do the rest of theothers.
A quick peek at the back reveals Nessa is still in her hiding place. It takes every ounce of willpower not to storm over there and hold her in my arms. It’s the first time she and I are in the same room but not sharing the same breath.
“I have far moreimportant things to do than to concoct a silly game. You know, like prepare for a future and college.” Smirking, Scarlett taunts, “Two things you’re short on.”
“You shouldn’t hurt my feelings like that,” he says in mock pain, rubbing his pecs in a dramatic fashion. “Or I may just play Anonymous’s game and tell him a secret. Then you can kiss both your future and college plans goodbye.”
Before Scarlett’s face turns fully pale at his threat, I’m toe to toe with him. “Don’t make foolish threats. They make you sound weak, Kaid. Don’t pretend that you have nothing to lose.”
“The last part may be true, but I’ll survive. Your sister, on the other hand, who’s obsessed with her squeaky-clean image, won’t.” A glint appears in his eye. “Whatever will happen to the mighty Grayson family if their sordid secrets come out, I’m more tempted to see.”
“From where I stand, it’s not my friend’s sister who died.” His cockiness drops and I grin. “So as I said, your threats mean shit when we both know you’re here to catch the bastard and won’t ever give in to Anonymous. If you do, it’ll be equal to letting him get away with Amber’s murder.”
“Don’t you utter my sister’s name, you asshole,” says Capri vehemently, stepping forward. “Every single one of you is to blame for her death and has everything to lose. Unless you want to me go to the cops and tell them the truth about Anonymous, I suggest you stop disrespecting my sister.”
“We wouldn’t be here if you and your sister hadn’t tried to con the school,” taunts Scarlett.
Everyone stills because she went too far.
Capri loses it and attacks my sister, taking her by surprise.
Kaid and I jump in and pull them apart, when we’re interrupted again.
“Umm… Is it a bad time to join?” a timid and throaty voice asks.
We all swing our heads in the direction of the new arrival.
A petite girl in plain jeans and an oversized plaid shirt hovers in the doorway, glancing at us in fascination.
“It’s not a party.” Scarlett snorts as I hold her in my arms. “But sure, Daisy.”
