Page 11 of The Mastermind

I jumped and retracted my finger, forming a fist to my chest, looking guiltier than any villain should ever look. I would never succeed as a crook. Not that the idea ever ran through my mind.

Shit.Caught red-handed.

With a pounding heart, I whirled around and lost my train of thought. He was the last person I expected to see. After a second intake of breath, I realized Grayson probably invited him to the housewarming. Why hadn’t I thought about it earlier?

There was no one else who dominated a presence more than Remington Starke. The man exuded magnetism like no one I knew. Even when I saw images of him on TV, online, or in magazines, I felt the pull, as did most women.

“Umm . . . hi . . . I was just intrigued by this car. Is it yours?” What was wrong with my voice?

Of course, the car is his, Audri.

It suited him. Only a beast could ride another beast.

Remi stepped closer, looking like an intimidating giant. He looked superb when I saw him in the office, but up close, he was stunning in a dark suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, making him look regal and powerful, like the moon glowing in the night sky. The potent moon that made waves without doing a damn thing.

My body warmed from his stare, a sensation I couldn’t understand or stop. I’d known him since I was a teenager, yet sometimes, I felt like I didn’t know him at all. He became more reserved right before he left for Yale, and a mystery still surrounded him.

“Itismy car, and you’ve just marked it with your fingerprint. That will cost you.”

CHAPTERFOUR

REMINGTON

I had gone outto my car to retrieve the initial blueprint for WaterFyre Rising, but I was stopped in my tracks when I saw her. The way Audri examined my car infatuated me. She wore a jean jacket over a white blouse that hugged her breasts and a red skirt that outlined her hips and ass, making it hard for any man to look away. She looked sexier every time I saw her. Not that I saw her often, but I liked seeing her in this business attire.

Heat, extremely inappropriate heat, streaked through me as I watched her touch my car. Would she examine me the way she examined it?

I shook my head at the inappropriateness. What the hell was I thinking? Oh, right,Iwasn’t thinking—that was my dick.

She was my best friend’s sister. I knew her when she hid in corners, reading and creating her god-awful accessories. Somehow, she once persuaded me to try one on. I had been a lost teen, and she had the power of persuasion like no one I knew. Or maybe I had just been too weak.

In a way, she was like a sister to me.

Stop the inappropriate thoughts now, Remi.

Despite that, I’d always seen her as something more. Her thoughtfulness and genuine joy shed light on the dark world I found myself in. She was better off in her untainted world, where she could remain a thoughtful, smart, and imaginative woman. My dark world would ruin her.

Nerves cling to me after that horrific event. My friends and I gather in Grayson’s basement, playing video games—or pretending to be—when Audri pokes her head in the door. The guys whip their attention to her, including me.

For a moment, her innocent presence makes me forget I’d seen a man murdered. She wasn’t part of the frightening moment. Her smile reminds me of my ambition. About the video game my friends and I want to create. Her intrusion into our secret conversation is exactly what I needed to remind myself not to let this one incident squash my dreams, even if it scared the shit out of me.

Audri looks at Grayson. “Dinner’s ready. Mom’s busy, so I made you all some hotdogs.”

I almost puke. Normally, I don’t mind hotdogs, but not after today. Not when hotdogs remind me of Slash, who is linked to the group that just murdered someone.

“What are you guys doing?” Her eyebrows furrow with curiosity as she scans the floor scattered with backpacks.

“Talking,” Grayson says.

“About what?”

“None of your business. We’ll be up soon. Just go eat. Leave us alone,” Grayson barks.

Audri narrows her eyes. “Well, excuuuse me for making food for you, Your Highness. You can all starve to death for all I care!” She slams the door.

“I’m sorry about touching your car.” Her voice yanked me back to the moment.

“It’s an irresistible car. You have my permission . . . just don’t scratch it.” Moving closer, I took in a whiff of her floral fragrance.

---