Page 216 of The Invite
A large palm covers them and gently grabs one. “Look at me, honey.”
I peer at him and become struck by the warmth in his eyes.
“Be my brave girl.”
Why did I think I could handle this alone? “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m your shadow, Nessa. You’re never alone.”
Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and step out. Augustus joins my side, looking ravishing dressed in a black shirt and slacks, and places a possessive hand at the small of my back.
There are no students present, but there are a flurry of staff and teachers roaming around. They pause and squint at us as we walk past them with prying eyes, while some are aghast. All of them recognize Augustus, immediately lowering their gazes if he deems them with a glance.
It’s strikingly clear they know he’s going to be the mayor of this town one day and to not get on his bad side.
Even with the power of his pedigree and legacy, it won’t be easy to win the elections when the time comes. Won’t being with me make it ten times harder?
I, sometimes, feel like a walking, talking bad luck charm for anyone who crosses my path. I’m like Medusa. Everything I touch turns to stone.
I should sever ties with Augustus and save him from an ugly end.
However, I’m bound by invisible forces.
“Miss Davenport.”
Greta’s shrill voice snaps my head toward her desk. She leans forward with her hands on the table and flickers a nervous gaze to the imposing man on my side. It seems even the standoffish Greta the witch isn’t immune to Augustus’s aura.
“I’m here to see Mr. Crane.”
“He called you alone,” she points out with hopes to get rid of Augustus.
It blows up in her face because he demands, “Is he in the office?”
“Mr. Grayson, I’m not sure you should—”
Augustus marches toward the closed office door and tugs me after him. Throwing the door open, he enters the room like he owns it.
Mr. Crane, who was staring at his computer, does a double take and scrambles to stand. He shrinks two sizes as Augustus shuts the door on an open-mouthed Greta’s face and turns around.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumor as well as seen the alleged picture floating around, and it is the reason you called Miss Davenport to your office.”
Mr. Crane’s Adam’s apple bobs as he attempts to mask his terrified expression. “Augustu—” One cutting look at Augustus and he changes his tune. “Mr. Grayson, I assure you I can handle the situation on my own. You didn’t need to come.”
My jaw hits the wooden floor.
Our last meeting was an act for my benefit. The curtain was lifted after I was forced to wait outside. Today, I’m experiencing the reality of it with a front-row seat.
“I’m afraid you can’t, Kevin, because you don’t have all the facts.” Augustus nudges me forward and gallantly pulls out a chair for me to sit. My nipples pebble as he curls a hand around the back of my neck possessively, and declares, “Nessa and I are together.”
“To-together?” His gaze ping-pongs between Augustus and me.
“Yes.”
“Then why would she complain back then?” The wrinkles on his forehead deepen as he frowns hard. “I don’t get it.”
“It was a misunderstanding that’s long since been cleared.” Augustus’s thumb caresses my pulse idly. “So, there’s no reason for her to lose her job.”
