Lessonsin

SECRET

Book#4ofCorrigan&Co.

ByCrystalPerkins

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ABOUTLESSONSINSECRET

AwomanwhoseIQissohigh,itcan’tbemeasured

IsabelleCarltonhasalwayshidbehindherbrain,stayinginthebackgroundandnotgoingonmany
missions for the Society—or many dates. When she stumbles upon a high school prostitution ring,
sheknowsthatit’stimetofinallyputherselfoutthereinmorewaysthanone.Asexyhistoryteacher
couldbejustwhatsheneeds,inandoutoftheclassroom.

Amanwho’srunningfromapastthatcan’tbeignored

MasonWellsismorethanjustahighschoolteacher,butexactlyhowmuchmoreishisbiggestsecret.
EventhoughheknowsIsaisn’treallyastudent,gettinginvolvedwithheriswrong.He’shidingtoo
much,andshe’sjusttooinnocent.Despiteknowingthatitwilldestroythemboth,hecan’tstayaway
fromher,evenwhenthey’rebothputinthecrosshairsofapowerfulandevilman.

Lessonscanbelearned,butwilltheirlovepassthetestwhenadevastatingSECRETisrevealed?

OTHERBOOKSBYCRYSTALPERKINS

TheGriffinBrothersseries

GamingForLove(TheGriffinBrothers#1)

BuildingOurLove(TheGriffinBrothers#2)

CreatingALove(TheGriffinBrothers#3)

LearningToLove(TheGriffinBrothers#4)

DesigningTheLove(TheGriffinBrothers#5)

WorkingOnLove(TheGriffinBrothers#6)

KeepingTheirLove(TheGriffinBrothers#7)

Corrigan&Co.series

FieldingHerSECRET(Corrigan&Co.#1)

DevouringtheSECRET(Corrigan&Co.#2)

RockingaSECRET(Corrigan&Co.#3)

Publicly, The Corrigan & Co. Foundation has been supporting women for years. Secretly, five
powerfulwomenledbyJaneCorriganhaverecruitedtenagents,sendingthemtorescuewomenand
children in need, and take down those who exploit the weak. This secret society of women all have
unique skills they’ve brought to the foundation. Additionally, they’ve all had training in weapons,
etiquette, martial arts, technology, and languages. Helping out friends and family of their five
mentorsfromtimetotimeissomethingtheyweretoldtoexpect.Whattheydidn’tplanforisfalling
inlove.

AbouttheCorrigan&Co.FoundationandtheSociety:

•MitchellCorrigancreatedtheCorrigan&Co.Foundationforhiswifeaspartofhiscompanyten
yearsago.HestipulatedthatthefoundationwouldcontinueaslongasthereisaCorriganwomanto
overseeit.

• Jane Corrigan, Cyndi Evans, Maggie Griffin, Mallory Daniels, and Helen Wilson are the
foundersofthesecretsocietywithinthefoundation.Theyfocusonhelpingwomenandchildren,
buttakeonothermissionsfromtimetotime.

• While they assist government and private organizations on a regular basis, they only take
referralsforprivatemissions.

•Eachfounderhasrecruited,andmentors,twoagents.

• The company was founded in Chicago, but has now moved to Las Vegas, where Mitchell was
born.Onhisdeathbed,heaskedhisgrandsontomovethecompanyheadquarterstohelprevivethe
economyinhishometown.Therearesatelliteofficesallovertheworld.

•Jane’sgrandson,Matt,whoisPresidentandCEOofCorrigan&Co.,knowsofthesociety.His
friendsNathanandAiden,whohebroughtinwhentheyallleftthemilitary,knowaswell.Thiswas
adecisionbythefivewomenwhentheyneededhelponamissionthatwentbad.Theydonotknow
allmissiondetails,buthelpwhentheyareasked.

ForLisaDessandSarahVela,twogirls

wholovebooksasmuchasIdo,andwho’ve

supportedmefromtheverybeginning!

Andalsoforallthewomenandmenwho

fightagainsthumanandchildtraffickingeveryday.

You’rededicationandhardworkisappreciated,

evenifyoudon’thearitasoftenasyoushould!

PROLOGUE

Mason

WhenItoldmyfriendLukeGriffinwhatIthoughtwasgoingonattheprivateschoolIteachat,I

neverexpectedtobesittinginaconferenceroomattheCorrigan&Co.Foundation.Lukesworeme
to secrecy and told me about a Society that’s part of the foundation. He said it helps women and
children, like the foundation does publicly. Just in a different way. Since a high school prostitution
ringcoversbothwomenandchildren,heconvincedmetocomehereforhelp.Hesaidthey’dcontact
thepoliceiftheyfoundanythingconcrete.

“ThankyouforcominginMason.Lukesaidyouthinkthere’saprostitutionringatyourschool,”

thewomanheintroducedasReinasaystome.

“Yes.AndI’mprettysureit’sstudentrun.”
“Whatcluedyouin?”
“I teach history and wanted to do something to engage the students a little more. I gave them a

chance to write anonymously about something that’s happened in history, what they’d like to have
legalized in the future, or what they wouldn’t. I got fifteen papers about why prostitution should be
legalized. And four that said it shouldn’t. Those four talked about girls being intimidated and
threatenediftheydidn’tturntricks.”

“Icanseewhyyoumightbealarmed.”
“Istartedpayingmoreattentiontowhatwasgoingon,andIthinkIknowwhotheleaderofallthis

is.HisnameitKurt,andhisdad’soneofthewealthiestmeninthecity.I’msurehehasnoproblem
findingclients.”

“Since you’re coming to us, I’m going to trust that you’re not involved and confirm that Kurt is

indeedthepersonincharge.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”
“We’veactuallyhadsomeoneundercoverforoveramonth.”
“What?Who?”
“Me,Mr.Wells,”myfavoritestudentsaysasshewalksintotheroom.
FavoritebecauseIcan’tstopfantasizingaboutherwhileshesitsinmyclasstwirlingherpencilasI

teach.I’vebeenbeatingmyselfupforlustingafterastudent.Butapparentlyshe’snotastudent.

“Isabelle,”Isay,soundingwaytoorelievedforevenmyownears.
“Yousoundrelievedtoseeme.”
“Iam.Imean,I…”Thisissonotgoingwell.
“Oh my God. You want to be the Ezra to her Aria, don’t you?” Luke asks, looking at me with a

smirkonhisface.

“Shutup,Luke.Andhowdoyouevenknowaboutthem?Youdon’tteachhighschool.”
“Olivialovesthatshow.”
“Can someone please clue me in,” Luke’s mom says. When he told me she was part of all this, I

toldhimIalreadythoughthismomwascool,butnowIhadevenmorerespectforher.

“EzraandAriaarecharactersonaTVshow,PrettyLittleLiars.Hewasherteacher,butthey’reina

relationship,”Isabelletellsher.

“Sobasically,MasewantsIsa,”Luketellsher.
Iwanttodierightnow.Likeseriouslydie.AfterIkillLuke,ofcourse.
“Ididn’tcomehereforthis.I’mgladyouknowandaretakingcareofit.I’lljustbegoingnow.”
Igetupandwalkoutoftheroom,stoppingtoleanbackagainstthewall.Imaginemyshockwhen

Isabellewalksintothehallafterme.“Isittrue?Doyouwantme?”

***

Isa

Ican’tbelieveIfollowedMr.Wells—Mason—outintothehallway.ButIneededtoknow.BecauseI

want him. I never understood the term “hot for teacher” until I walked into that classroom and saw
him.Honestly,I’veneverbeen“hot”foranyonebefore,soI’vebeensofreakedouteverytimeIwalk
into History class that it’s a wonder I could answer anything when asked. Thank God for my super
brain.

“Doyouwantmetowantyou?”
“Whatkindofquestionisthat?”
“Thekindthatwon’tgetmeintotrouble.”
“I’m23andnotinhighschool.”
“Theschooldoesn’tknowthat.”
“Sowewon’tdoanythingthere.Oranywhereelsewheresomeonecouldseeus.Ifyoudowantme,

thatis.”Whoisthisboldgirl,andwherethehelldidshecomefrom?

He leans in close, so his mouth is only about an inch from mine. “Your lips make me crazy.

EspeciallywhenyoubitethebottomonewhileI’mlecturing.”

“Thenkissme.”
His eyes widen, and I think I may have gone too far. I’m not usually so forward, but Tegan and

StellahavealwaystoldmeIneedtojustgoforit.So,nowIam.

Whenhislipsmeetmine,Isilentlythankthemformakingmebold.AndthenIshutmymindoff

andjustletmyselffeel.Heholdsthebackofmyheadashelicksatmylips.Iopenforhim,andhis
tonguedartsinsidemymouth.

It’sbetterthanIimagineditwouldbe.ForalltheseyearsI’vewondered,andnowIknow.Myfirst

kissisamazing.

HepullsbacksoonerthanI’dlikeandIfollowhimalittlewithmymouth,capturinghisagainfora

fewseconds.Hechucklesashecupsmycheek.“Ineedtogo.”

“Youdidn’tlikeit?”
He looks at me curiously before answering. “I fucking love your mouth, which is why I need to

leave.We’reinyourworkplace,afterall.”

“Andwecan’tkissatyours.”
“No,wecan’t.”
“If-ifyouwanttoseemeorsomething,myfriendswouldhelpus.”
“Idowantthat.I’llcallyoulater,okay?”heasks,holdingouthisphonesoIcanentermynumber.
“Okay,”Itellhim,butIfeelsomeofthatconfidenceIjustshowedleaveme.
Imaynothavemuchexperiencearoundguys,butevenIknowabrushoffwhenIhearone.Hesaid

thekisswasgood,butwouldhereallytellmeifhedidn’tlikeit?Probablynot.Ishould’veletsome
oftheguysmyfriendsmademeflirtwithatthebarskissme.ThenatleastI’dknowwhatI’mdoing.

“Perfect,”hetellsmewhenIhandthephonebacktohim.“I’lltalktoyousoon,Isabelle.”
“YoucancallmeIsa.Myfriendsdo.”
Henodsandwalksaway.Oncehe’soutofview,Ithumpmyheadbackonthewall.Iknowbetter

than to crush on the hot guy. It didn’t work for me when I was skipping grades in high school and
college,sowhywoulditworkformenow?I’mstillthatsamegirl.Theonewiththegiantbrain,and
socialskillsI’vebeentrainedtoknow,butcan’tuseproperly.Whoreallywantsthat?

***

Mason

It’steno’clockandI’mstilllookingatmyphonelikeit’sasnakeabouttobiteme.IwanttocallIsa.

No,Ineedtocallher.ButIknowIshouldn’t.

She’ssomekindof“secret”secretagent,andI’m,well,I’mme.Thiswouldnotturnoutwell.For

eitherofus.I’mnothingifnotamasochist,though,whichiswhyIfinallytaphernameandcallher.

“Hello.”
“Hi.It’s,uh,Mason.”
“Oh.Hi.”
ShesoundshesitantandsurprisedthatI’mcalling.“DidyouthinkIwasn’tgoingtocall?”
“Honestly? Yeah. I mean, ‘I’ll call you later ’ is one of the biggest ways to brush someone off,

right?”

“Idon’twanttobrushyouoff.”
“Youdon’t?”
Ishould.“No,Idon’t.ItoldyouIlovedkissingyou.Iwanttodothatagain.”
“Metoo.”
“I’msureIdon’thavetotellyouthatwecan’tshowanyofthisatschool.”
“I’mnotateenager,Mason.Mase.Imean,Mr….Imean…whatshouldIcallyou?”
“Atschool,it’llhavetobeMr.Wells.Outsideofschool,youcancallmeanythingyouwantwith

thatsexymouthofyours.”

Shelaughs,andwespendthenexthourtalking.Abouteverythingandnothing.Iwasattractedtoher

before,butnowIreallylikeher.EventhoughIknowit’sgoingtoturnoutreallybadly.Forbothof
us.TheysaytheroadtoHellispavedwithgoodintentions,butI’lldoeverythingIcantomakesure
shedoesn’tsharemyfate.

CHAPTER1

Isabelle

TheprivateschoolI’m“attending”wantstobeseenasprogressive,sothere’snodresscode.My

friend and co-worker, Stella, filled my closet with clothes from Topshop, but after a month here, I
thinkImayhavehergomoreupscale.Thesegirlslookliketheywalkedoffarunway,andwhileI’m
holdingmyown,mylabelsaren’tuptoparwiththeirs.My“parents”—whoareactuallyfriendsofthe
Society—aresupposedtobesuperwealthy,soIneedtofitin.

When the popular and sleazy Kurt approaches me, I realize that maybe my clothes are just what

theyneedtobe.Afterall,whenhesawmeatalocalhotelandtriedtorecruitme,Iwasinjeansanda
t-shirt.“Isabelle,you’relookinggood,butIcouldhelpyoulookbetter.”

He reaches out to rub the tuxedo collar of my black dress, and I throw up a little in my mouth.

Really,IswearIdo.“I’mgood,butthanks,”ItellhimasIstarttowalkaway.

Theplanisformetoplayhardtogetforhislittleafterschoolclub.Whichisn’thardsinceitwould

behardtogetme.Ijusthadmyfirstkiss,forGod’ssake.I’mnotreadytobeasex-for-hireworker
yet.Orever.IknewfrommyfirstdaywiththeSocietythatthiskindofmissionwouldprobablycome
up.Ieveninitiatedthemissionafterheapproachedme,butitdoesn’tmeanI’mcomfortablewithit.

“Peopledon’ttellme‘no’veryoften,andtheoneswhodotendtochangetheirmindprettyquickly.

Thisisyouronlywarning,beautiful.Youwillbemine,whetheryouplantobeornot.It’sinevitable.
I’veletyoubethislastmonth,butmypatienceisstartingtowearthin.”

“Isthereaproblemhere?”Masonasksfrombehindme.
“No, Mr. Wells,” Kurt says with a smirk. “Isabelle and I were just discussing some employment

opportunitiesIthoughtshe’dbeinterestedin.”

“Wereyouinterested,Isabelle?”
“No,Ireallywasn’t.Ineedtogettoclass.”
I practically run from them both. I want to take down Kurt, and kiss Mase, so they’re both

dangeroustomeatthemoment.ItextReinaasIwalkintomyEnglishclassandtakemyseat,letting
herknowthatthingsareescalating.ItellherI’llfillherinmoreafterI’mdoneherefortheday.

“Isabelle?”
Iturntoseeoneofthemostbeautifulgirlsintheschoolsittingbehindme.She’sgotcurlybrown

hairandflawlessmochacoloredskin.She’salsobitingherlipandlookingalittlenervous.“That’s
me.”

“IheardyouwithKurt.Youcan’tdothat.”
“Dowhat?”
“Turnhimdown.”
“Um,yeah,Icandothat.”
“He’llfindawaytogetyou.It’llbeeasieronyouifyoujustgivein.”
“Didhedosomethingtoyou?”
“Justtellhimyes,okay.”
“No.”

“Wellthen,I’msorryinadvance.PleaserememberthatIwarnedyou.”
Shedartsoutofthechair,andtheclassroom,beforeIcanaskheranythingelse.I’mnotsurewhat

shewastryingtowarnmeabout,butitcan’tbegood.I’mgladIhavethatmeetinglater.EvenifIcan’t
stopwhat’sbeingplannedforme,maybeIcantrytobeprepared.

***

Mason

ThatlittlebastardisplanningsomethingforIsabelle.Iknowheis.He’swantedherforhisharem

sincebeforeshestartedschoolhereafewweeksago,andhe’snotabouttogiveherupjustbecause
shesays“no.”Iknowwhyhe’spushingsohard,too.It’sthatdamnvirginalvibeshethrowsoff.

Iknowshedoesn’tevenrealizethatit’sthere,butitis.I’dbelyingifIsaiditwasn’tpartofwhat

attractedmetoherinthefirstplace.There’snotmuchsexierthanawomanwhodoesn’tevenknow
justhowsexysheis.Inearlyfelloverwhenshetoldmetokissher.Iwasn’texpectingit,butIwasn’t
complainingeither.Especiallywhenmylipswerefinallyonher.

There’saspecialplaceinHellforguyslikeme.Iknowit,yetI’mstillpursingsomethingwithher.

It’snotarelationship—itcan’tbe.ButIdowantsomething.MorethanI’vewantedwithawomanina
longtime.Andthatrighttherecoulddestroyusboth.

Imanagetopushthosethoughtsoutofmymindforthenextfewclassperiods,butthenshewalks

inwearingthatdamndress.It’slikeasleevelesstuxedoontopwithsomeblacklacecoveredmaterial
inbetweenthelapelstomakeitmorerespectable.Itfitsclosetoherslimbodybeforeflaringoutinto
atinyskirtwithpleatsatthetop,andlaceatthebottom.Hermilelonglegsareondisplay,andeven
though she’s wearing flats, I replaced them with heels in my lunchtime fantasy. I should’ve never
kissedher.Iknewit,butIdiditanyway.LikeIsaid,I’mdefinitelygoingtoHell.

“Hi,Mr.Wells,”Gracesaystomeasshesitsdowninthefrontrowandlicksherlips.
She’sbeenmakingnotsosubtlepassesatmeallyear.Ihavenointerestinher,otherthanthefact

that I know she’s the proverbial cash cow in Kurt’s operation. One of the only girls who’s
participating by choice, not blackmail. She’s also one of the most beautiful girls in the school, and
oneoftherichest.HerparticipationwouldmakenosenseifIhadn’tseenherinaction.Shelovesthe
thrill,andthesex.Shestillshouldn’tbesellingit,butitisn’tuptometogethertostopwhatshewants
todo.AndifItriedtogetpersonallyinvolved,Iknowitwouldsendthewrongmessage.Ijusthaveto
trustthatIsawilldoherjob,evenifitmaymakemylifealotharder.

“Hello,Grace.”
“Icouldn’tquitefigureoutmyhomeworkforlastnight.Canyouhelpmeafterschool?”
“Thetutoringlabisopenafterschool.Theycanhelpyou.”
“Iwantyourhelp.I’msuremyparentswouldappreciateanyhelpyoucouldgiveme.”
She knows she’s got me. Like I said, she’s one of the wealthiest girls here, and her father has a

largeamountofinfluence.Ican’taffordtolosemyjob.“Okay,afterschool.Youcanmeetmeinthe
tutoringlab.”

“I’d rather meet here,” she says, pouting at me. Yes, pouting, like she’s a little girl. I’m sure she

thinksit’ssexy,buttomeit’snot.

“Tutoringlab.”
“Fine.”
Iglanceover,andIsalookslikeshewantstomurderGrace.Dammit.Shehastokeepheremotions

outofthisifshe’sgoingtosucceed.Ineedtoremindherofthatnexttimewe’realone.Noonecan
knowthatanything’sgoingonwithus.It’smorethanjustmyjobatstake,andifshe’stheprofessional

I’vebeenledtobelievethatsheis,sheshouldknowthataswellasIdo.Thisisdefinitelygoingtobe
harderthanI’dplannedforittobe,butnowthatthewheelsareinmotion,there’snostoppingthetrain
that’sheadedourway.Icanonlyhopethatwebothsurviveit.

***

Isa

Schoolstayedweirdallday.Kurtkeptalternatingbetweenleeringandsmirkingatme,andGrace

hitonMasehardduringclass.Also,Icouldn’tgettheconversationwiththatgirloutofmyhead,and
I’m, well, I’m just exhausted from all the subterfuge. This is why I rarely go out on missions. I’m
much more comfortable working behind the scenes, helping with research for everyone else’s
assignments.ButIsignedontothejob,andcompletedallthetraining,soIneedtopullmyweight.
Andthismissionwasmyfind.SohereIam.

“HeyDoubleG,howwasschooltoday?”NateasksmewithasmirkasIwalkintoReina’soffice.
Ifliphimoff,beforeresponding.“Aren’tyoujustadorable?Didyoushootanythingtoday?”
“No,”hesayslaughing.“Butyoujustflippedmeoff.”
“Idid.”
“Ididn’tknowyouknewhow.”
“Leaveheralone,man,”Mattsays.
“It’sokay.WeallknowthatwhenIcamehere,Iwouldn’thavedonethat.ButI’vefoundthatIenjoy

silentlytellingpeopleoffthatway.”

“Ourlittlegirl’sgrowingup,”Matttellsmewithavoicefullofaffection.
“She’snotalittlegirl,andyouneedtostoptreatingherlikeone.Isa’sbeenavaluablepartofour

teamforovertwoyearsnow,”Reinatellshim,tryingtosoundfirm,butshe’ssmilingtoo.

“Areyougoingtopunishmetonightforbeingbad,Princess?”
“Matt! We are at work. Try to remember that,” she says, her cheeks turning red. It’s rare to see

Reinablush,butMattcanalwaysdoit.

“Oh,Idoremember,”hesayswithasmirk.
“DearGod,”shesays,droppingherheadintoherhands.
NateandIexchangeamusedglancesasMatttriestomakeituptoher.“Sorry,Rei.I’llbehave.Until

we’realone.”

She starts shaking with laughter, and we all join in. “You wouldn’t know how to behave if you

tried.”

“Foryou,Ido.Ohhey,there’ssomepracticerightthere,”hetellsher,referringtotheirupcoming

wedding.

“Justdon’tforgethowtosayitonthebigday.”
“Never.”
“Ican’tbetheonlyonescaredwithhowcutethey’rebeingwitheachother,canI?”Nateasksme.
“Nope.It’salittlescary,butwonderfulatthesametime.”
“Sorry.I’msureIsadidn’taskustomeetsothatwecouldputonashowforherandNate,”Reina

says,tryingtostopfromsmiling.

I’msohappyforher.Weallare.She’sfinallygotMatt,evenifit’sjustforayearofmarriage.I

maynothaveexperienceditmyself,butIbelieveintruelove.Thatphenomenonwhereyoufeellike
you’reonewiththeotherpersonandyou’ddoanythingandeverythingforthem.ReinaandMattare
theposterchildren—oradults—forthat.AndIdon’tthinkthey’regoingtobedoneafterthatyear.I
can’tdwellonthatnow,though.Ineedtotellthemaboutmyday.

“It’sokay,butIdidhaveamissionrelatedreasonforcallingallofyouhere.Kurtmadehismove

today.Iblewhimoff,andhetoldmethatIwouldbepartofhislittlegroupwhetherIwantedornot.
Then,agirlcameuptomeandsaidshewassorryaheadoftimeforsomething.”

“Fuckinglittleshit’sgoingtosetyouupforsomethingsoyouhavetojoin,”Mattsays.
“Yeah.I’mprettysureheis.”
“Isa,Iknowyouwantedthismission,butI’mgettingabadfeelingaboutthis.Theriskmaybetoo

highforyou,”Reinatellsme.

“It’sfine,”Isay,butthat’snothowIfeel.“I’lldowhateverIhaveto.Iknowacoupleofthegirls,

like Grace, think they want to be doing what they’re doing, but others didn’t join voluntarily. And
whetherGracerealizesitornot,shedoesn’treallywantthislifeeither.Ican’tletthiscontinue.”

“Icanassignoneoftheotherwomentogoundercover.”
“No.Icandothis,Rei.Ipromise.”
“Youneedtogoseeyourmanandlethimfuckyou,”Natesayssuddenly.
“Wh-what?”
Natesighs,andthenlooksatme.“Weallknowthatyouhaven’t…youknow…donethedeedbefore.

Iknowyouwon’thavetosleepwiththeguyswhohireyou.TheA-Teamwillmakesurethatdoesn’t
happen.ButIcan’timaginethatKurt,orsomeoneelseifhe’snotthetopguy,won’twanttotryyou
out.Idon’tthinkyouwanttohaveyourfirsttimebewithapimp.”

He’sright.Iknowheis.I’mnotgoingtobeavirginformuchlonger,nomatterwhathappensin

my“real”personallife.IjustthoughtI’dbeinloveformyfirsttime.Maybenottruelove,butloveall
thesame.IalreadylikeMasealot,butloveisn’tintheequation.Yet.Iknowitcouldbe,andmaybe
that’sgoodenough.

It’s definitely better than Kurt, or some other creepy stranger getting to be my first. Audrey and

Ainsleywillhelpmewiththeclients,butIcan’tfakeitifIhavetoperformanaudition.AndIdon’t
know if I could survive that being my first time. I’m trying hard to act tough, but I’m not. And
everyoneinthisroomknowsit.Nate’sjusttheonlyonebluntenoughtotellitlikeitis.

“Thanks,Nate.Ihadn’tthoughtofitthatway.AndIdon’twantmyfirsttimetogodownlikethat.I

shouldbegoing.”

“ImeantwhatIsaid,Isa.Icanassignsomeoneelse,”Reinatellsme.
“No.IjoinedtheSocietybecauseIwantedtomakeadifference.It’snotfairtoeveryoneelseifI

juststayburiedinmybookswhiletheytakerisks.”

“You’vehelpedoneverymission.Don’tdiscountwhatyou’vecontributed.”
“I’mnot.IjustknowIneedtodomore.Ineedtobeoutinthefieldsometimes.It’sonlyfair.”
Reina nods because she understands. She hasn’t been on a mission since I’ve been here. She was

already being groomed to take over when I was hired, and she spends most of her time behind the
scenesnow.Idon’tknowthatshemissesbeingoutinthefield,butshetoldmeoncethatshefeelsbad
abouttellingpeoplewhattodo,anddoingnoneofitherself.Noonebegrudgesher,though.She’san
amazingleader—andfriend—toallofus.

We all say our goodbyes, and I walk out of the conference room. I text Mase and give him

directionstomyapartment.Itellhimwe’llbesafethere.Whichwewill.Allofuslivethere,except
forAinsleyandFaithwholivewiththeirguys.Theplaceismoresecurethanamilitarybase.Mase
textsbackthathe’llbringdinner,andIsmilewhenIthinkaboutseeinghimagain.Kissinghimagain.
Andmaybemore.No,definitelymore.IfIthinkofthisasjustanotherthingtobedone,it’llmakeit
easier.Yeah,right.

CHAPTER2

Mason

IpulluptotheundergroundgaragethatIsatoldmetoparkin.Theguardatthegatecomesacross

likeanormalrent-a-cop,butIknowbetter.Icanseethemilitarytraining,evenifhe’stryingtohideit.
I’m surprised that she’s invited me into her private lair so soon. But then again, I’m not. Our kiss
yesterdaynearlysetmeonfire,andIknowitaffectedheraswell.Ishould’veleftitatjustthatkiss,
butI’vedecidednottodenymyselfwhatIwantbecausemywindowofopportunityisn’tgoingtolast
toolong.

Aftergettingintothegarage,Itaketheelevator—whichopenedandstartedmovingonitsown—to

the lobby. There are several more guards here. I’m honestly impressed with the level of security. I
suspected that it would be secure since Isa said that we’d be safe. But this is beyond even what I
imagined.I’mkeptattheonelargedeskthereuntilIsacomesoutofanelevatortofetchme.

“Hi,Mase.Sorryaboutthewait,”shesays.
“I’veonlybeenhereacoupleofminutes.”
“I know, but still. I wanted to be down here when you arrived, but my friend Stella said I had to

change.”

I’mactuallyalittledisappointedthatshechanged.Shetookoffthesexyassindressthatshewore

toschooltodayandreplaceditwithjeansandathinsweater.Herdarkblondehairisinalongbraid
overoneshoulder,andshehasnomakeupon.“Youlookbeautifulasalways.”

“Thanks.”
I’m surprised when, instead of walking back to the elevator she just got out of, we walk down a

hallwaybehindthesecuritydesk.“Wherearewegoing,Isa?”

“Oh.Ithoughtwecouldhangoutinoneoftheloungesdownhere.”
“Ithoughtthisiswhereyoulive.”
“Itis.”
“Butyoudon’twantmeinyourapartment?”
Sheshouldn’twantmethere.ButfuckifI’mnotdisappointed.Mycockispracticallycryingoutin

despair, too. We were both looking forward to some naked time. I won’t push, though. Kurt has
somethingplannedforher,andshe’snotgoingtohaveachoicesoon.I’llgiveheronewithme.

Shebitesherlipbeforeanswering.“Idowantyouthere.Butmyapartmentis…umm…notsexyor

glamorous.”

“Isitcoveredinbookshelves?”IaskasIleanmyheaddowntowardsher.
“Y-yes.”
Ikissalongherjawanddowntoherneck.“Isthereabed?”
IfeelhernodasInibbleonherear.Isuckandlickassheholdsontighttomybiceps.Inudgeher

loosesweateroffoneshoulderasIcontinuecoveringeveryexposedbitofherwithmymouth.She
tilts her head back as her nails dig into me. I move back up and nuzzle her neck before speaking
again.

“Iwantyou,Isa.YouarethesexiestthingI’veseeninalongtime.Yourbrainissofuckingsexy,

andyourbodyhashadmehardallday.Iwanttogoupstairsandshowyoujustwhatyoudotome.But
Iwon’tpush.Ifyou’renotreadyforthat,we’llstaydownhere.”

“Myapartmentlookslikealibrary,”sheblurtsout.
“And you’re the sexy little librarian who’s going to let me take her against those books,” I say

againstherneck.

“Yes,”shesighs.
Ismileasshetakesmyhandandpracticallyrunsbacktotheelevators.Webarelymakeitinsideher

apartmentbeforeIdropourdinner,andtakeherintomyarms.She’snothesitantlikeshewasthefirst
timewekissed.Thistimeshe’sbitingmylipandtwirlinghertonguearoundmine.It’sgotmeeven
harderthanIalreadywas,andIworrythatI’mgoingtocomeinmyjeanslikeahornyteenager.I’m
definitelyhorny,butmyteenyearsarelongoversoIneedtoatleastpretendthatIcancontrolmyself.
Ipullawayfromher,andlookinhereyes.

“Ineedyounow,babe.”
“Please.”
Ipracticallyripoffhersweater,andIdoripherbraasItearitoffher.Istoptostareatherperfect

breasts that will fit nicely in my hands, but Isa starts pulling at my shirt, and I reluctantly shift my
focustohelpinghergetitovermyhead.Wetakecareofourjeansourselves,andthenwe’restanding
infrontofeachotherinourunderwearonly.

IgrowlasIlookathertinypinklacethongthatbarelycoversherfront,andIknowwon’tcover

anythinginback.Fuck.I’mnotgoingtolastlongthisfirsttime.Especiallywhenshereachesoutto
stroke me through my boxer briefs. I grab her hand to stop her, and she tries to jerk away as her
cheeksredden.

“Youdidn’tdoanythingwrong,”Itellher.“IjustwanttobeinsideofyouwhenIcome.”
“Metouchingyouwouldmakeyoucomenow?”
“Ohyeah.”
Shegetsabigsmileonherface.Shelooksconfidentandalittlecocky.Ilikeit.Alot.Toomuch.
Ihaveenoughpresenceofmindtoreachformypants,andgrabacondombeforetakingherinmy

arms.IkissherhungrilywhileIslidemyhanddownherstomach.Movingmyfingersbeneaththat
lace,Ifeelhowwetsheisforme.ShesighsasIstarttostrokeher,pleasedthatshe’ssoready.

“Ican’twait,Isa.I’llmakeyoucomewhileI’minyou.”
Idon’twaitforaresponseasIgrabahandfulofthatthongandpull,tearingitfromherbody.Ipick

herupandcarryhertooneofthebookshelvesliningthewalls.Shewrapsherlegsaroundme,andI
pushheragainstthebooksandholdherwithmyupperbodyasIpushmybriefsdownjustenoughto
freemycock,andcoverit.I’llberomanticlater.Ineedinsideofhernow.

Ilinemyselfupandcupherfacewithmyhands.IneedtobealittlebitsweetwithhereventhoughI

feeloutofcontrol.Shedeservesmorethanananimalisticfuck,butthat’swhatI’mabouttogiveher.
Weeks of watching and wanting have made my control almost non-existent. I hope this one little
gesturewilltellherthatI’mnotanass.EventhoughIam.Ihavenodoubtaboutthat,butIneedtohide
thatfromheraslongasIcan.

Ikisshersweetlyandthenslammywayhome.ShescreamsasIpinhertothebooks,andit’snot

frompleasure.She’stootight,andno.Fuckno.WhathaveIdone?

“OhmyGod,Isa.No.Whydidn’tyoutellmeyou’reavirgin?”

***

Isabelle

IfeellikeI’vejustbeentornintwo.Ishould’veslowedthingsdown,butIwantedhim.AndItold

myselfitwouldn’tbesobad.Butitkindofis.Sincehehasn’tmovedsinceherealizedhe’smyfirst,
I’mgettingalittleusedtoit.Tohim.Butitstillhurtslikehell.

“Well,I’mtechnicallynotoneanymore,”Itrytojokeashelooksatmeinhorror.
“Youshould’vetoldme.Iwouldn’thave…Iwould’vebeengentler.Where’syourbed?”
“Iwantithere.Againstthebookslikeyousaid.”
“No,babe.Thisisn’twhereyouwantyourfirsttimetobe.Letmeloveyouright.”
Whydomenhavetobesohardheadedsometimes?IknowwhatIwant.Andasthepainrecedesto

aslightburn,Istarttomove.“Iwantithere.”

“You’resure?”
“Yes.Nowdoit.”
Hestartsmoving,butIcantellhe’sstillholdingback.Iwon’tmentionitthoughbecausewhilethe

painhaslessened,itisn’tgone.AndIknowIwon’thaveanorgasmwithhiminsideme.Atleastnot
thistime.ButIwanttoknowthatImadehimfindhispleasure.

“Youokay?”Masonasksme.Hehasn’tstoppedmoving.I’mhonestlynotsureifhecan.Imaynot

havedonethisbefore,butI’vereadalotaboutit.

“It’sgettingbetter.”
“Enoughtocome?”
Ican’tlie.“No.Notthistime.”
“Shit.”
Ileanforwardandkisshim,tryingtoconveythatit’sokay.Hekissesmebackandstartstomovea

littlefaster.It’snotlongbeforehe’sshudderinginsidemeandwhisperingmynameagainstmylips.
Heslidesoutofme,butdoesn’tputmedown.Instead,heturnsmesidewayssohe’sholdingmeinhis
arms.

“I’msosorry,Isa.ShowmewhereyourbathroomissoIcantakecareofyou.”
Ipointtothestaircasebeforespeaking.“There’snothingforyoutoapologizefor.Ididn’ttellyouI

wasavirgin.”

“ButIshould’veknown.Youwerehesitantwhenwekissed.Andyougiveoffavibe.Ijustletmy

cockleadme.”

Timetobeevenmorehonest.Itmayscarehimoff,buthedeservesitall.“Iwashesitantbecause

thatwasmyfirstkiss.”

“Jesus,”hesaysashealmostdropsme.“I’mtotallygoingtoHell.”
I laugh as he sets me on the counter in my master bathroom. “No you’re not. It was great. This

wasn’texactly,butIwantedmyfirsttimetobewithyou.Andnot…notwithsomerandomguyKurt’s
goingtohookmeupwith.OrKurt.Orhisboss.”

“Kurt’snotgoingtotouchyou,Isa.Ipromiseyouthat.”
“Butyoucan’tpromiseanythingelse.”
“I’lldowhatIcantoprotectyou,”Hesaysasherunsawarmwashclothoverme.Iflinchalittle

whenhegetsbetweenmylegs,buthekissesmesoftlytodistractmewhilehewashesmeup.

“Thanks,Mase.ButI’mthetrainedprofessional.Ineedtotakecareofmyself.ThewomenIwork

with have done things to make sure a mission is successful. It’s not officially part of our job, but
they’vedonewhattheyhadtoinordertosavepeople.Icandothosethingstoo.Especiallynowthat
wedidthis.”

“Isa,thiswasn’tgoodforyouatall.”
“Itwas.Imean,yeah,theactitselfwaspainful,butIdiditwithyou.SomeoneIlike.Alot.Andnext

timewillbebetter,right?”

He just stares at me for a moment, and I’m scared that I said the wrong thing. Maybe he doesn’t

wantmorethanonetime.Ormaybethethoughtofmehavingtosleepwitharandomguyisturning
himoff.Icanunderstandthat.

“I’mgoingtodoeverythingIcantonotsleepwithsomeoneelse.Ipromise.Idon’twanttodothat.

Atall.Iswear.”

“Iknow,babe.Ijustwishthepeopleyouworkwithdidn’tputyouinthissituation.”
What? I’m getting a little angry now. “They didn’t. I told you it’s not part of the job. Reina even

offeredtotakemeoffthemission.NooneIworkwithwouldeveraskmetodosomethinglikethis.
They wouldn’t ask any of us. Some of the girls just view sex as a more casual thing, so it doesn’t
bother them if they’re put in that situation. I chose to do this, and I’ll see it through. The girls who
don’t want to be part of what’s going on deserve my help. And so do the ones who want to do it.
BecauseIdon’tthinktheyreallyunderstandjustwhatthey’redoingtothemselves.”

“Ididn’tmeantomakeyouangry,Isa.Idon’tknowhowyouremploymentworks,andIwantedto

makesurethatyou’reprotected.I’mstillgoingtodowhatIcan,evenifyouthinkit’snotmuch.”

“Iamprotected.Over-protected,actually.Theyalltreatmelikeapieceofchinathatmightbreak.

ButI’mstrong.I’lltaketheirhelp,andyours,becauseI’msmartenoughtoknowthateveryoneneeds
help.ButI’mcapableoftakingcareofmyself.”

“Dulynoted,”hesayswithasmileandkissonmynose.“Now,howabouttakingabathwithme?

We’renotgoingtohaveoursecondtimetonight,butIstillwanttomakeyoufeelgood.”

“I’dlikethat.”
AndIdo.He’sgentlewithme,andafterwashinganddryingmeoff,heuseshismouthonmein

waysI’veonlyreadabout.Notintheplacethat’sbeggingforhim,becausehesaysheknowsI’mstill
sore,buteverywhereelseonmybody.Heworshipsmybreastslikethey’retemplesbuiltjustforhim,
andInearlyflyoffthebedwhenhesucksonthesensitiveplacebehindmeear.It’swaybetterthan
reading.IthinkImayhavelostafewbraincells,even.HesmileswhenItellhimthat,andtucksme
intobedbeforekissingmegoodbye.Iwanthimtostay,buthehasnootherclotheswithhim,andit’sa
school night. Hopefully I can still act normal around him tomorrow. And for however long this
missionlasts.BecauseIthinkthe“like”couldturnintothatother“L”word,andforonceinmylife,
thatdoesn’tscareme.

CHAPTER3

Mason

ItoldIsathatIwouldprotecther,andI’mtrying.IknowsheneedstogetintoKurt’sgroupinorder

tofullybringitdown,butI’vebeendelayingherinitiation.Ican’tstopKurt,butI’vegivenhimextra
work, which kept him busy enough to leave her alone for the past couple of weeks. I know time is
running out. He wants her, and for her to succeed, he’s going to have to get her. And I’m going to
havetostandbackandletithappen.

While her progress at becoming a “teen” prostitute has been on hold, our relationship has been

moving right along. I’ve spent almost every night with her at her apartment. I’ve been bringing
clothesalongsoIdon’thavetoleaveafterImakelovetoher.Afterthatfirstdisastrousnight—Istill
can’t believe she didn’t tell me she was a virgin—we’ve had some pretty mind-blowing times
together.Itookitslowthenextfewtimes,butnowwecan’tgetenoughofeachother.It’sawonder
thatIcaneventeachafterwewokeeachotherupformoreallthroughthenight,lastnight.Isawher
practicallystaggeringthroughthehallearlier.Ishould’vefeltbad,butallIfeltwasasurgeofmale
pride.Yeah,Ididthattoher.

I shouldn’t be proud at all. In fact, I should be staying far away from her. But I can’t. There’s

somethingaboutherthatmakesmebelieveinlove.It’smorethanthesex,asamazingasthatis.It’s
justher.Wetalkforhours,watchBBCshowsonTV,andsitsidebysideasIgradepapersandshe
doesher“homework.”It’stheclosesttoperfectI’veevercome,andalthoughIknowitwon’tlast,I
wish it would. Because walking away from her—or having her walk away from me, which is the
morelikelyscenario—isprobablygoingtocomeclosetokillingme.

Iknowit’sstupid,andthere’snowayitwillwork,butIpullmyphoneoutandsendthetextanyway.
Me:Iwantout.
Boss:No.
Iknewthatwouldbetheanswer,andnowthere’sgoingtobehelltopay.Dammit.Ishouldn’thave

tried.Isahasmeallmixedup.IwantthingsIcan’thave.Iwanther.Forever.ButIknowthatIcan’t.

ImanagetopullmyselftogetherbeforeIhaveclasswithher.Shesmilesasshewalksin,andtakes

herseatinoneofthemiddlerows.Gracesitsupfrontandjustlikeeveryotherday,shepullshershirt
down,tryingtotemptmewithhercleavage.I’mhard,butithasnothingtodowithher.Kurtwalksby
theopendoorandgivesmealittletwofingeredsalute.Asshole.

A few minutes into class, a local UNLV student who the school hired to help us grade longer

research papers, walks in. He’s not smiling; instead, he looks really nervous. “Is there a problem,
Chris?”

“Um, yeah.” He glances around the room. “Two of your students had the same exact research

paper.”

“What?”
“Referencesandeverything.”
Itakethepapersfromhim,myheartsinking.IalreadyknowwhosepapersI’mgoingtofind,and

howthisisallgoingtogodown.Knowingdoesn’tmakeitanybetter,though.

“Chris,canyougogetKurt?Isabelle,canIpleasetalktoyouinmyofficeforamoment.Everyone

else,pleasestartreadingChapter20.Silently.”

Theyignoremebeforethetwoofusevenclearthedoor.Thegossipandmurmuringhasbegun.

AndIsa’sgoingtobethecasualty—unlessshegivesintoKurt.Thisisherset-up.Hernormalinstinct
wouldbetofightit,butshe’llgiveinbecausesheneedstogodeeperundercover.She’salreadytold
methatshe’llsavethegirlsatthisschool,nomatterwhatthecosttoheris.

Once the door is closed behind us, I stay quiet, waiting for Chris to bring Kurt before I address

them.“Wouldoneofyouliketoexplaintomehowyouturnedintheexactsameresearchpaper?”

“YouknowI’mnotacheater,Mr.W.Mydadwouldbepissedifyoutriedtoaccusemeofbeing

one.Idon’tthinktheschoolboardwouldlikethat.”

Andsoitbegins.
“Ididn’tcheat,”Isasays.SheknowsIknowthat—Iwassittingnexttoherwhileshewrotethedamn

paper.

“Well,oneofyoudid.I’mgoingtogiveyouafewminutesaloneinheretodecidetotellmethe

truth.Thanksforyourhelp,Chris.”

I wait until Chris walks out the other door to walk back into the classroom. I already know what

willhappen,butIneedtoletitplayout.OnceIsagivesin,Kurtwilltaketheblameandlethisfather
buyhimoutofyetanotherstickysituation.HegetsaslaponthewristwhileIsagetsanew“career.”

***

Isa

“So,youreadytocomeworkformeIsabelle?”
“Thatwouldbeano.”
“I’llmakethecheatingthinggoawayforyou.”
“WebothknowIdidn’tcheat,andI’mpreparedtodefendmyselfifnecessary.”
IknowthisisthepartwhereI’msupposedtostartcryingorsomething,andgivein.Ineedtogive

in. But not this way. Kurt wants to take me down, but he chose the wrong course of action. I don’t
messaroundwithmygrades,evenifthisisn’tmyfirsttimeinhighschool.

“Youreallythinkyoucangoupagainstme,andwin?”
“I honestly don’t know. But I’ve got to try. I won’t let you dirty my name with this cheating

bullshit.”

“Ah,there’satigerinsidethelittlemouse,huh?”
“I’mnotamouse,youpig.”
Thatjustrubbedmethewrongway.Ainsley’s“LittleMouse”totheguysatwork.I’m“DoubleG”

forgirlgenius.Although,I’mprettysuretheygetalaughoutofmynicknamesincemybrasizeisa
solidB.I’mjusthappytofitin.

“Butyouwillbeworkingforme.Havenodoubt.I’mgoingtomakeyourlifehereatthisschool

suchalivinghellthatyou’llbeonyourkneesbeggingmetotakeyouon.AndthenI’mgoingtohave
youtakemeinyourmouthbeforeIsaveyou.”

“Never.”
“Don’tsayIdidn’twarnyou,”hesays,tryingtokissmycheek.
Ishovehimawayandglareasheopensthedoortotheclassroom,callingforMasetocomeback

intotheoffice.Hedoes,andcrosseshisarmstostareatthetwoofus.

“Areyoutworeadytotellmethetruth?”
“Shewon’tadmitshecheated,andIknowIdidn’t,soIguesswe’reatanimpasse.”

AlookofshockcrossesMase’sface.IknowhethoughtI’dgiveinsinceIneedtobeundercover.

Butmybrainwon’tletmedosomethinglikethatwhenitcomestothis.Icanalreadyhearthelecture
fromReina,butIjustcan’tdoit.Ican’tactlikeImighthavecheated,andKurt’ssavingme.

“Wedon’thavetobeatanimpasse,”Isay.
“Howdoyouproposetomovepastit?”Maseasks.
“Takeourtabletsandcellphones.Thenquizusaboutwhatwasinthepaper.Infrontoftheclass,

andthatChrisguy.”

“Seriously?”Kurtasks,lookingnervous.
“Yes.Iwon’thaveanyonethinkingthatI’mcheating,”Itellhimwithaglare.
“That’sactuallyagoodidea,”Masesays,pullingouthisphone.“I’llcallChristocomebacktothe

classroom.”

“What?Areyoufuckinginsane?I’mnotdoingthis.Youcan’tmakeme.”
“Actually,Icanmakeyou,Kurt.”
They engage in an intense glaring contest, and I’m a little surprised when Mase wins. “Fine. I

cheatedandcopiedherpaper.Trydoingsomethingaboutit,Wells.Webothknowtheadministration
willshutyoudown.”

“Theycan’tstopmefromgivingyoulunchdetention.You’llhaveitforthenextweek.”
“A week? He stole my research paper and you’re giving him a week of lunch detention?” I ask.

Thisisridiculous.

“You’renottheteacher,Isabelle.Don’tquestionmydecisions.Ever.”
Iflinchathiswords,whichisn’tlostonKurt.Heturnstomewithasmirk.“Youmaythinkyou’ve

won,butthiswasjustalittlebattle.Thewarwillbemine,andsowillthatfineassofyours.”

“Getbacktoclass,Kurt.”
HegivesMaseanotheroneofhisannoyingtwofingeredsalutesbeforewalkingaway.Atthelast

second,heturnsandwinksatmewhilelickinghislips.Iwanttostabhiminhiscarotidarterywitha
pencil,butIsettleforflippinghimoff.Which,unfortunatelymakeshimsmileevenwider.BeforeI
cansayordoanythingelse,Maseslamsthedoorshut.

Wheelingonme,hepinsmewithaglare.“Areyoureallythatstupid,Isa?”
Ifighttheurgetoretreat.I’mastrongwoman,andnoone’sgoingtomakemefeelanydifferent.

EvenifitisthemanI’mfallinginlovewith.Especiallyifit’sthatman.

“Donottalkdowntome,Mr.Wells.”
Hehearsthevenominmyvoice,andnowhe’stheoneflinching.“Isa,”hesays,reachingforme.I

dostepbackthen,anddodgehishand.Heliftsittorunoverhisclosecroppedhair.“Youcan’twin
againsthim.Hewantsyou.”

“Andyou’reokaywiththat?”
“YouknowI’mnot.Butyousaidyouhadtoseethismissionthrough.Andwebothknowthebig

pictureismoreimportantthanus.”

“Ifhehadpickedsomethingelse,Iwould’vecaved.Butcheating?Icouldn’tgoalongwiththat.”
“Justbeprepared.It’sgoingtogetworse.He’sgoingtogetworse.Andthere’sonlysomuchIcan

dotoprotectyoufromhim.”

“Iknow.”
Wewalkbackintotheclassroom,andItakemyseat.Iignorethewhispersgoingonaroundme—

MaseandIweren’taloneformorethanacoupleofminutes,andI’mnotthattalented.Yet.Hesayshe
loveseverythingwe’vedonetogether,butit’sbeenprettytame.Iwanttodrivehimwild,soit’stime
tostartwatchingsomevideos.I’vebeenavoidingit,hopingthebooksI’vereadwouldbeenough.But
I know they’re not. If I’m still in one piece after talking to Reina, I’m going to watch at least one
beforeMasecomesovertonight.

I manage to ignore Kurt and his minions for the rest of the day. All they did was glare at me

anyway. Well, except for Max, the girl who tried to warn me. She gives me pitying and apologetic
looks, which are actually a little harder to deal with. I may despise Kurt, but I also know that he’s
smart.AndthoselooksfromMaxtellmethere’salreadyanotherplanformeinplace.I’llbeready.If
I’mstillonthecase.

IwalkintotheFoundationoffices,andsmileatAlex.IaskhertoletReinaknowI’mhere,andneed

totalktoher.ThenIwalktomyspace,whichisactuallymorelikealibrarythananoffice.Icheckin
withmysmallteamofanalystsinthetwostory,bookfilledarea,andthenheadtomyprivateofficein
back.Anyonewalkinginwouldthinkwe’reLuddites,orworkinginanantiquatedway.We’renot.My
teamandIusetechnologymorethanthesebooks,butsometimesweneedtogooldschool.

IworkonacoupleofrequeststhatAinsleysentmeforAudrey’supcomingmissionwhileIwait

forReina.I’vejustfinishedthesecondonewhensheknocksonmydoorframe,asmileonherface.
“HiIsa.Youwantedtoseeme?”

“Yeah.I…umm…IdidsomethingIshouldn’thavetoday.”
Shestraightensherspine,andtakesaseatinfrontofme.“Goaheadandtellme.”
“Kurttriedtoblackmailmetoday,andIwouldn’tgoforit.”
She sighs heavily. “I told you I’d replace you with someone who’d be more comfortable if you

couldn’tgothroughwithhis.Youknowthatsleepingwithrandompeopleisn’tpartofyourjob.We’d
do what we could to stop it from happening while you’re ‘employed’ but we can’t stop any type of
initiationfromhappening.We’vebeenoverthisalready,Isa.Whydidyouletitgetthisfar,onlyto
havemereplaceyounow?”

“Idon’twanttobereplaced,Rei.IknowI’mgoingtohavetobewithsomeone.Iwon’tenjoyit,but

Ihavetodoit.Youcan’tprotectmeforever.I’mnotavirginanymoreifthat’swhatyou’reworried
about.”

Shedoesn’teventrytohidetheshockfromherface.“YousleptwithMason.”
“Yes.”
“OhIsa.Whydidn’tyoucometalktome?Areyouokay?”
“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m fine now. It was…rough, but once Mase knew, he

tookcareofme.”

“Itisabigdeal.Andwhatdoyoumean,onceheknew?”
“I-Ididn’ttellhimrightaway.”
“Isa,no.”
“Youwouldn’tunderstand.”
“ButIdo.Ididn’ttellthefirstmanIwaswitheither.”
“Youdidn’t?”
“No.AndIfeltlikeIwasbeingtornapartwhenhe…well,youknow.”
“Yeah,Ido.Whydidn’tyoutellhim?”
“IwantedtomakehimthinkIwasmoresophisticatedandsexythanIreallywas.AndIwastrying

toforgetthatI’dalmostoncehadmyvirginitytakenfromme.”

“Someonetriedtorapeyou,Rei?”
“Yes.WhenIwasveryyoung,”shetellsme,hervoiceshakingalittle.“Themandidn’tsucceed,but

IstillrememberhowscaredIwas.Evenafteralltheseyears.”

“I’msorrytomakeyouthinkaboutit.”
“Don’tbe.IthinkaboutiteverytimeIhelpawomanwhofindsherwaytous,orIsendoneofyou

outonamission.Ifeelstrongereveryday,justknowingthatwe’rehelpingpeople.Janebringingme
intotheSocietysavedmylife.Iwasbroken,andshegavemeachancetoheal.Iowehereverything.”

“Andnowyou’remarryinghergrandson.”

“It’safakemarriage.Youknowthat.”
“Don’t,Rei.Withme,andtheothergirls,don’tpretendthatthisisn’trealforyou.”
“He’llneverseeitthatway.”
“Helovesyou.”
“Iknow.Butit’snotenough.I’mnotenoughtohealhim.Icantellhimalldayandnightthathe’s

wonderful,andspecial.AndthebravestmanIknow.Buthe’llneverbelieveme.Hehasitinhishead
thathe’ssomehownotworthyofme,ortruehappiness.”

“Youhaveayeartomakehimseeit.Hesaidhe’dnevercheatonyou,soyou’llhavehimwithyou

everynight.”

“Ialreadydo.Wehaven’tbeenapartsincethedayhe‘proposed.’IcanhonestlysaythatI’venever

beenhappier,orsadder.It’salmostworsetoknowthatthere’satimelimit.BecauseIknowthatwhen
hewalksawayfrommethistime,itwilltrulybetheend.”

“Ifanyonecanchangehismind,youcan.I’lldowhateverIcan.Weallwill.”
“Thanks, Isa. Now back to you. Why did you turn down the blackmail proposition if it’s not

becauseyou’reafraidtohavesexwithhimorhisboss?”

“He somehow got my research paper and turned in the same one as his. He was trying to say I

cheated.Icouldn’tallowit.”Idropmyheadinmyhands.“IknowIneedtolookatthebigpicture,but
Icouldn’t.”

“HowdidKurtreact?”
“HesaidI’mgoingtoregretit.AndthatI’dbeenwarned.”
“Sohestillwantsyou.Probablyevenmorenow.”
“Yeah.Masethinksit’sgoingtobebadforme.Hesaidhe’lldowhateverhecantoprotectme,butI

knowthat’snotmuch.”

“I’mgivingyousomebackup,then.”SheholdsupherhandbeforeIcanargue.“Thisisn’tabout

shelteringyou,Isa.Everyonehasusedbackuponmissions.Youknowthat.”

Idoknowthat.AndIneedtogetovermystubbornpride.“Thanks,Rei.”
“You’rewelcome.Nowgohomeandgetsomerest.Ihaveafeelingyou’regoingtoneedit.”

CHAPTER4

Mason

“LeaveIsabellealone,Kurt,”Itellhimwithamenacingglarethedayafterthecheatingscandal.
We’rejustinsidemyclassroomandthedoor ’sopen,butsohelpmeGod,ifthelittleprickdoesn’t

keep his mouth shut, I’ll shut it for him. He doesn’t need Isa. I know she thinks she needs him, but
therehastobeanotherway.MaybeshecangetMaxtoconfideinher.Iknowshe’snotdoingwhat
she’sdoingbychoice.Whichkillsme,butIreallycan’tdoanythingaboutit.

“Youwantaturnather,Wells?Isthatit?She’sgoingtocostaprettypennywhenIfinallyconvince

hertojointheothergirls.”

That he’s being this cocky—and mouthy—while we’re here at school tells me something. He’s

getting desperate. I’ve observed him with the other girls, and I’ve never seen him like this with
anyone.IknowpartofitisbecauseIsastooduptohim,andhewantstobreakher.Iwon’tallowthat,
though.SoIthinkfast.

“Yougotme,Kurt.Iwanther.Iwanttoinitiateherintoyourlittlegroup.”
Idon’thavetopay,ofcourse.Butofferingmaysmooththingsover,andhelpherout.Hell,Idon’t

wanthermouthonanotherman.Shehasn’tdonethatwithmeyet,andI’llbedamnedifIhavetofind
outshesuckedoffsomeoneelse.EspeciallyKurt.

“Thegirlsinitiateonme.Always.”
“Maybeit’stimeforachange.”
“No.”
Before I can respond, he lets out a low whistle. I look out the door, and see what’s gotten him

distracted. Or I should say, who’s gotten him distracted. A doe eyed girl with long brown hair and
shortbangsissaunteringdownthehall.There’snootherwordforit.She’sfuckingsaunteringdown
thehall,andeverymaleinthebuildingistrackingherprogress.

She’sslimwithslightcurves,butthewayshecarriesherselfmakesyouthinkshe’spackingalot

more than she really is. It’s confidence, along with the knowledge that she’s sexy. Her skirt’s short,
andhertop’slittlemorethanabustier.IfIwasn’tsointoIsa,I’dgoforit.ButwhileIcanappreciate
howhotthisgirlis,she’sdoingverylittleforme.Notnothing—Iamared-bloodedmaleafterall.
Butnotmuch.

ThegirlcomestoastopinfrontofKurtandme.“AreyouMr.Wells?”
“Iam,yes.”
That came out a little husky, and her eyes narrow. Dammit. “I’m Ellie. Today’s my first day, and

apparently,you’remyfirstclass.”

“Luckyus.I’mKurt,”hesays,holdingouthishand.
“Neitheroneofyouisgettinglucky.Atleastnotwithme.Soyoucanputyourlittlesmile,andyour

littledick,backwheretheycan’toffendanyone.”

Kurtdropshishandandglaresather.“You’lllearnsoonenoughthatmakinganenemyofmeis

notinyourbestinterest,bitch.”

“Am I supposed to be scared? Shaking in my heels? Not gonna happen.” She turns back to me,

dismissingKurt.“Isthereassignedseating,orcanIsitwhereverIwant?”

“There’snoassignedseating,buttheotherstudentshaveclaimedtheseatstheylikethroughoutthe

year.Ifyouwaituntileveryonegetshere,wecanseewhat’sleft.”

“Whatever you say, Teach,” she says and then walks past us to sit on the edge of my desk as the

otherstudentsstarttofilein.

Wow. This girl is something else. And she just poked the bear by taking on Kurt. She puts on a

toughact,butIhopeshecanfollowitup.Idon’thavetimetoworryabouther,though.IhaveIsato
tryandprotect,andIalsohaveajobtodo.OnethatI’mjeopardizingbygettinginvolvedwithher,
realstudentornot.

WhenIseeIsalaterintheday,IknowKurt’sbegunhisschooldaytorture.Hermouthisinathin

line,andherclotheshavesomefoodstainsonthem.Shestillswalksintomyclassroomwithherhead
heldhigh.Whichisthewrongwaytoplaythis.I’mtryingtothinkofsomewaytoconveythistoher
beforetheschooldayisover,whenGracewalksin.Isaseesherandimmediatelyburstsintotears.It’s
likesheflippedaswitch,andit’sexactlywhatKurt’snumberoneminionneedstosee.

Grace has a smirk on her face as she approaches Isa’s desk. “Did something happen at lunch,

Isabelle?”

Isanodsbetweenhertearsandanswersinasmallvoice.“Yes.”
“It’sonlygoingtogetworse.”
Shewalkstoherownseat,makingsuretobendoverfarenoughtoflashmesomecleavageasshe

gets settled. I shake my head because I know she won’t give up. But I won’t give in to her. I wasn’t
goingtobeforeIsa,andIdefinitelywon’tnow.

IheadovertoIsa’splaceafterI’mdoneinthetutoringlab.Iknowthatthetearswerefake,butIstill

wanttomakesureshe’sokay.Andyes,Iwanttofuckher.Iwentmonthswithoutawoman,butevena
day without her makes me crazy. Logically I know that I need to get her out of my system, but it’s
beenmorethanjustsexwithherfromthestart,sothat’snotgoingtohappen.Godhelpusboth.

She’sintheshowerwhenIfindher.Iquicklyshedmyclothes,grabbingacondomfrommywallet

beforeIjoinher.“Hi,babe.Youdoingokay?”

“Iamnow,”shesayswithasexysmileonherface.“Ineedtogettheketchupoutofmyhairbefore

youmakemescream,though.”

“Theyputketchupinyourhair?”Motherfuckers.
“Yeah.It’salmostout,”shetellsmeassherubsmoreshampoointhelonglocks.
Imoveherhandsasideandtakeover.Iwashthelastofitoutasshereachesbehindhertostrokemy

cock.Iwantedtotakecareofher,butIdon’thavethestrengthtostopherfrompleasingme.Itfeels
toodamngood.

Shehasoneofthoserainshowers,butit’snotjustashowerhead.Theentireceilinghaslittleholes

thathavewatercomingoutofthem.Soit’slikereallybeingintherain.I’mtryingtodecidehowI
wanttodothis—doher—whenthelightsgooff.“Whatthefu—“

“Justwait,”Isasays.
Colored lights all of sudden stream from the top of the shower. The colors are changing and

shiftingintopatternsonthewallandshowerdoor.Andalloverourbodies.It’shandsdownoneofthe
mosteroticthingsI’veeverseen—lightswashingoverIsa’sbodyalongwiththewater.“Holyshit.”

I drop to my knees, because I know exactly what I want right now. My mouth on her. The water

pressure drops, and I’m glad one of use still has enough brain function left at the moment to make
sureIdon’tdrown.I’mgoingtomakesureshedoesn’tremainthiscoherentformuchlonger,though.
Ilovetodrivehercrazy,andtakingcareofherpussyisguaranteedtodojustthat.

“Areyousure,Mase?”Isaasksme.

Ilookupather,andseehownervousandshyshelooks.She’sbitingherbottomlip,andhasher

armscrossedoverherbreasts.Fuck.Ithoughtshe’dbeokaywiththis.Hell,Ithoughtshe’dbemore
thanokay.IkeepforgettingthatIwasherfirst.AndthatIshouldn’twanttobeherlast.

“It’sgoingtofeelgood,Isa.Really,reallygood.Ipromise.”
Herlipscurveupatmywords.“Ihavenodoubt.Ijustdon’twantyoutofeellikeyouhaveto—“
“Iwantto.YouhavenoideahowmuchIwantto,Isa.Icanshowyou,though.”
Ireachdownandtakemyfullyerectcockinmyhand.It’sheavy,andIwouldn’tbesurprisedifI

actuallycomewhilegettingheroff.Justthethoughtofitmakesmetwitch.Iseehereyesgowide.

“That’syou,Isa.Allyou.Iwanttotasteyousobad.”
“Yes,please.”
Idon’tevenhesitate.Ileanforwardandlickherlikeshe’smyfavoritedessert.Andafterthatfirst

taste,IcanhonestlysaynothingelseI’veevereatencancomparetoher.

IstrokemyselfasIdevourher,takingusbothhigher,andclosertorelease.She’spullingmyhair,

thrustingherhipsatmyface,andspoutingoffrandomfactsthatonlymakesensetoherandhersexy
brain.It’ssohotthatIcan’tbelieveIhaven’tgoneupinflamesyet.Itonlytakesacoupleofminutes,
andsomeintensesuctiononherclitbeforeshe’scominghard.I’mrightbehindher,spillingmyself
allovertheshowerfloor.

IsasinkstothefloornextmeandItakeherinmyarms.“Wow.”
“That’s the understatement of the year, babe. You’re delicious. Not that I ever doubted that you

wouldbe.”

It’strue.I’vealwayslikedgoingdownonwomen,buttherehaveonlybeenahandfulofpussiesin

my life that I’ve truly loved to eat. Isa’s has joined that exclusive club, which is going to make
everythingevenharderthanitalreadyis.BecauseI’mgoingtobethinkingaboutiteverytimeIsee
her. Teaching a class of teenagers isn’t going to be easy when I’m hiding a raging boner. But then
again,whenisanythinginmylifeevereasy?

***

Isa

It’sbeentwodayssinceKurtwagedhiswaronme.I’vehadfoodthrownonme,mylocker ’sbeen

filled with whipped cream, my clothes were stolen from my P.E. locker while I was in class, and
randomguyshavebeenbrushingupagainstmewhilesayingdisgustingthings.Iwanttojustshootthe
littleassholeinthecrotchregion,butIknowIhavetopretendtocrack.So,I’mgoingto.

I get out of my English class a couple of minutes early by telling my male teacher that I have

“femalethings”totakecareof.Iwaitinthemainhalloftheschooluntilthebellrings.ThenIslide
downthewallnexttoKurt’slockerandstarttosob.Teganwantedmetostartwailinginthemiddleof
thefloor,butAudreyremindedherthatagreatperformanceisonethatlooksmorerealistic,andnot
someoverthetopshit.Herwords,butshe’sright.Ican’tputonashow,Ijusthavetobeone.

Ihearpeopletalkingaroundme,butnooneapproaches.Noteventheteachers.Ifeelashadowover

me,butIfighttheurgetolook.Iknowfromthecolognethatit’sKurt.Hecrouchesdownnexttome
sohecanwhisperinmyear.

“What’sthematter,Isabelle?”heasksme,reachingouttobrushmyhairfrommyface.“Havinga

hardtimelately,aren’tyou?”

“Y-yes.”
“Thiscouldallbeover.Youcouldbeoneofthemostpopulargirlsinschool.Justsaytheword.”
“Wh-whatdoIhavetodo?”

“Justmakesomemenhappy.Andmaybeawomanortwo.It’llbefunforyou.”
“Idon’thavemuchexperience.”
“That’sevenbetter.I’lltryyououtandseehowtomarketyou.”
Marketme?Isheforreal?Mybodyisn’tacanofPepsi.AndGod,thethoughtofdoing…that…

withhim.ButIhaveto.IknowIdo.

“Okay,”Itellhim.
Hegetsatextbeforehecansayanythingelse.“Dammit,”hesays,grippingthephonelikehewants

tothrowit.“I’llbeintouch.Noonewillmesswithyouanymore.”

Hekissesthetopofmyhead,andthenstormsoff,lookinglikehewantstokillsomeone.Igetup

offthegroundandstarttowalktoMase’sroom.Maxfallsintostepnexttome.

“It’s not so bad, you know. I mean, it is…but you get used to it. Kurt and the boss protect us. So

yeah,wehavetohavesexwithrandomoldguys,butnoonehurtsus.”

“Physically,youmean.Whataboutemotionally?Andwho’sthis‘boss’?”
“Itrytoblockouttheemotional.Imean,Ihavenochoice.Ican’tgetexpelled—I’monscholarship

here.ThisschoolismytickettoanIvy.AndatleastI’mmakinggoodmoney.Asfortheboss—Ican’t
tellyouabouthim.You’llfindoutwhenhethinksyou’reready.”

We’re at the classroom now, so I can’t ask her anything else. She gives me a small wave as she

walks away. I’m shaking my head when I walk inside. Until I feel the tension in the room. It’s
emanatingfromGrace,anddirectedatMase.It’safarcryfromherblatantflirting,andalarmbells
ringinmyhead.WhenIlooktohim,he’snotevenpayingattentiontoher,though.He’swritingon
the board. I’ll ask him about it later, but for now I’m just glad that I don’t have to watch her
undressinghimwithhereyesforthenextfortyminutes.

Afterschool,IheadtotheFoundationsoEllieandIcandebrief.IhavetopretendlikeIdon’tknow

herwhenwe’reatschool,andwecan’tbeseenouttogetheranywhere,sothisisourfirstchanceto
talkthisweek.She’sdefinitelymadeasplasharoundcampus.WhileI’mplayingmyself,she’splaying
anexaggeratedversionofthetoughgirlIknowsheis.AndKurt’spracticallyfoamingatthemouth.

“Heygirlie,howareyoudoing?”sheasksasIwalkintoheroffice.
While mine looks like a library, hers looks like a bar. Or a family pub. That’s where she was

workingwhenHelenWilsonfoundher—herfamily’spub.Shewasn’ttwenty-oneyet,butshe’dbeen
tendingbarforyears.She’sasstreetsmartasI’mbooksmart,butherintelligenceisaboveaverageas
well.Whatyouseewithherisdefinitelynotwhatyouget.Soyeah,herteamworksatboothsthatlook
liketheyshouldbedrinkinginthem,butshe’snotsomeoneI’deverunderestimate.

“Yousawmy‘breakdown’?”
“Ohyeah.Itwasperfect.”
“Ijusthavetobeinitiatednow.WithKurt.”
“Fuck.Whydidn’tyoujustletmegoinfirst,orgetrecruitedfirst?”
“YouwanttosleepwithKurt?”
“Ofcoursenot,butIcouldhandleit.It’sjustsexforme.”
“What’sjustsexforyou,El?”Aidenasks,walkingintotheroom.
“Noneofyourbusiness,Aiden,”shetellshimwithascowl.
“Sothat’showitis?”
“It’showyoumadeit.Youdon’twantme?Fine.Igetit.Butyouhavenoright—orclaim—onme,

sowhoIdoisnoneofyourconcern.”

Helookslikehewantstoargue,butheknowsshe’sright.Ellie’smadenosecretofthefactthatshe

wantshim.She’sbeenclearsincethemomenthewalkedintothebuildingwithMattandNate.Butfor
some reason, he thinks he can’t have her. So he won’t touch her. He just touches all kinds of other

womeninfrontofher.I’mhonestlysurprisedthathe’sstillstanding.Oralive.IknowhewasSpecial
Forces,butEllie’snotsomeoneI’devermesswith.

“Seeyouaround,then.”
“Didyouhavesomethingyouneededfromme?Youcameinhere,afterall.”
Iseethehopeinhereyes,anditnearlykillsme.Icanseethathe’shavingsimilarthoughts.“Ijust

wantedtomakesurethateverythingwasgoingokay.Thatyouwereokay.”

“Why?”
“BecauseIhadto.Areyou…okay?”
“Aiden,”shesays,takingasteptowardshim.
Hestepsback,closinghiseyesforamomentbeforespeaking.“Don’t,Ellie.Don’ttakeitwrong.”
Hereyesturncoldasshetriestohidethehurtthathadflashedinthemamomentago.“Iwon’t.I’ve

learned that nothing about me is right where you’re concerned. As for your question, I’m fine.
Perfect.Couldn’tbebetter.Yourconsciencecanremainclearwhileyoufuckthefemalepopulationof
thecity.”

Hewantstospeak.Icanseethathewantstotellherwhatshemeanstohim.Buthedoesn’t.Hejust

nodsatusbeforeturningtowalkoutthedoor.

Ellie lets out a small cry, and I go to her immediately. She sobs in my arms for a few minutes,

beforeshakingherself.“I’msorryyouhadtoseethat.Weneedtofocusonyou,andthemission.Not
myfailedlovelife.”

“Hewantsyou,Ellie.He’sjustfightingitforsomereason.He’llcomearound,justlikeMattdid

withReina.”

“Matthasn’tcomearound.He’splanningonayear.”
“Idon’tknowifthat’sstillhisplan.Sincethey’vebeenexclusive,he’sbeen…nicertoher.”
“True. But I heard him telling Nate that nothing’s really changed, other than he’s getting lucky

everynight.”

“Matt?Mattsaidthat?”Reinaasks.Ohhell,neitherofusheardhercomein.
“Umm…maybe?”Elliesays,tryingtodiffusethesituation.
“Ishould’veknow.Idoknow.It’sbeenthiswayforyears.Whywouldastupidringchangethings?”
“Helovesyou,Rei.”
“Helovesmybody,Isa.Ihopeheenjoysitfortheyear.Becauseoncehedivorcesme,I’mdone.

Andifanyofyouseemestarttogivein,slapme.Igiveyouandtheothergirlspermissiontoslapthe
shitoutofmeifIgonearMattCorriganoncetheyearisup.”

“Don’tholdback,Princess.Tellthemhowyoureallyfeel.”
OhGod.Couldthisdaygetanyworse?FirstEllieandAiden,andnowReinaandMattareaboutto

goatit.SleepingwithKurtisn’tlookingsobadinthegrandschemeofthings.

“Like you’re telling Nate that you’re only happy about getting lucky every night with me? Well

guesswhat?Yourluck’srunout.Mybodyisofflimitstoyou.”

Matt’smouthdropsopen,andhe’sgonepale.“Forhowlong,Rei?”
“Forever,Matt.For-fucking-ever.Sogetusedtoyourhandsinceyoucan’tcheatonme.”
“HowisitcheatingwhentheIcePrincessisn’tgivingitup?”
Shepuncheshimsohardthathisheadsnapsback.“Youknowwhat?Goaheadandfucksomeone.

In fact, go fuck the whole damn country for all I care. Just know you won’t be fucking me ever
again.”

Sherunsoutoftheroom,whilethethreeofusjuststandthereinstunnedsilence.I’mthefirstto

breakthatsilence,becauseIcan’tstaysilent,evenifbloodisgushingprettysteadilyfromMatt’snose.
“Howdareyou,Matt?Haven’tyoumessedwithherenough?Shedoesn’tdeservethewayyoutreat
her,likeshe’snothing.”

“Iknow.Andfortherecord,DoubleG,she’severythingtome.Every.Fucking.Thing.”
“Thenmaybeyoushouldtellherthat.”
“Yeah,maybeIshould.ButIcan’t.”
HewalksoutbeforeIcantellhimthathe’ssmarterthanthewayhe’sacting.EllieandIagreethat

weneedtohelpthemhoweverwecan.Mattmaybeanass,buthe’slikeabrothertoallofus.Sowhile
Reina has our allegiance, we won’t shut him out completely, either. We talk about school and
strategize the best way for her to allow herself to be recruited. She can’t seem eager, but she can’t
fightKurttoohard,either.Wecomeupwithasolidplan,andcallitanightafewhourslater.I’mstill
worried about Kurt and the initiation, but after today, I realize that things could be much worse. At
leastIhaveMase.

CHAPTER5

Isa

Ididn’twanttodresstoosexyforwhatisprobablygoingtobethedayIhavesexwiththeheadofa

teenprostitutionring,butIalsodon’twanttolooklikeanun.Icompromisedbywearingashortblue
dress that has a subtle print, and a high V-neck. My hair is in my usual braid, and I’ve got my blue
cowboybootsfromTeganonmyfeet.Idon’tknowifthey’llgivemetheextracourageIneedtogo
throughwiththis,buttheycan’thurt.

Right after I walk into the main building, Kurt grabs me and pulls me into an alcove. “Are you

ready,Isabelle?”

“AsI’lleverbe,”Itellhimtruthfully.
“Waitformeatyourlockerafterschool.Andbepreparedfortheshow.”
“Show?”Iask,swallowinghard.
“Planshavechanged,butthere’snowayI’mnotgoingtowatch.”
“Idon’tgetasayinthis,doI?”
“Nope.Fromnowon,yourlifebelongstous.Don’tforgetthat.”
“Iwon’t.”
I also won’t forget that I need to find out who his mystery boss is. The guy who’s pulling the

strings. Max admitted that there’s someone else, which is actually a no-brainer. Kurt’s too cocky to
keepthisgoingonhisown.Helikestobrag,andseeinghimthepastfewweekshasmademerealize
thatalthoughheseemstogiveeverythingaway,he’sbeenholdinghimselfback.Andit’skillinghim.
IfIcanplaythisright,IshouldbeabletogetalltheinfoIneedfromhim.ThenI’mtakingthemboth
down,andgettingthesegirlsthehelptheyneed.

Noonethrowsanythingatme,ortriestohumiliatemethroughouttheday,butI’dhonestlyprefer

that. They’re leaving me alone because they know I “belong” to Kurt, and that doesn’t sit well with
me.At all. I’drather fight them—Icould totally take thatasshole football playerwho was trying to
copafeelearlierthisweek—thanhavethemlookatmelikeI’msomethingless.BecauseevenifIwas
going to be sleeping with people for money, I’m still a person. A good person. Good people do
thingstheyhavetoinordertosurviveallthetime.Thatdoesn’tmakeallofthembad,itjustmakes
themdesperate.

I’mleaningagainstmylockerafterschoolwhenKurtandGracewalkuptome.She’sstilllooking

likeshewantstokillsomeone,althoughhe’ssmirkingatme.“Ready?”

“Youalreadyaskedmethatthismorning.”
“Yes,butIwasn’tsureifyou’dtrytochickenoutnowthatyouhavenoideawhattoexpect.”
“Asyou’resofondofremindingme,Ihavenochoice.Ireallyneverdid.Youwantedme,andnow

you’vegotme.”

“Notlikehewantsyou,”Gracemumbles.
“Shutit,Grace.Unlessyouwantmetotakeyououtofrotation.”
“Youwouldn’t.Youcan’t!”

“Ican.WehavethelovelyIsabellenow,andwe’llhavethatElliechicksoon,too.Sowatchyour

mouth,andgetoveryourjealousy.”

Iseethatshewantstofighthim,butshedoesn’t.“I’msorry,baby.I’llbegood.”
“Andrightnow,sowillIsabelle.Let’sgo.”
Wewalkdownthehall,andstopinfrontofMase’sofficedoor.Thisisn’tright.Whatarewedoing

here?”Comein,”hecallsout,whenKurtknocks.

Kurtushersusinsideandthenlocksthedoor.IfighttocatchMase’seye.Helooksuncomfortable,

butresignedashepusheshischairawayfromhisdeskandturnsitsideways.I’mstillconfuseduntil
Kurtspeaks,andwhathesayssendschillsdownmyspine.

“Onyourknees,Isabelle.”
“Wh-what?”
“Everyone’sfavoriteteacherisgettingthepleasureofthatnice,sexymouthofyoursonhisdick.

Sodroptoyourkneesandstartsucking.”

“I-I…”
“Isabelle,comeoverhere.IpromiseIwon’tbite…thistime.Andpleasedon’tbiteme.”
“Doeseveryone…youknow…getinitiatedlikethis?”
“No.Theydonot.IworkedoutadealwithKurt.”
“Why?”Iknowwhy,butIfeellikeIneedtoplaymypart.AndstallalittlebecauseI’mfreakingout

inside.

“I’vewatchedyouinclass,andI’vewantedyou.Iwantmorethanthis,butit’lldofornow.”
Mase sounds so calm. How the hell can he be so calm? He knows I haven’t done this before,

becauseIwasn’treadytodoittohimyet.AndnowIhavetonotonlyperformthisintimateactonhim
whenI’mnotready,butIhavetodoitinfrontofKurtandGrace.NowIknowwhyshe’ssoangry.

I take a deep breath, and force myself to think clearly. I don’t know how he did this, or what he

promisedKurt,butIunderstandthathe’stryingtoprotectme.Ican’tmessthisup.Forthemission,or
formyself.Isquaremyshouldersandwalktohim,droppingtomykneesinfrontofhischair.

Ireachoutandundohisbelt,thenthebuttonofhiskhakis.MyhandsshakealittleasIpulldownhis

zipper. I’ve done it a bunch of times now, but never when I was on my knees. Or in front of other
people.Ifeelhandsinmyhair,andthenMaseistakingoutmybraid,andcreatingacurtainwithmy
hairtoshieldwhatI’mabouttodofromtheothereyesintheroom.Istillcan’tlookathim,because
I’llbreakifIdo.

“Whatareyoudoing,man?Ican’tseewithherhairdownlikethat.”
“Allyouneedtoseeisthatshe’sdoingit.I’mnotputtingmydickondisplayfortheworld.Orlittle

girlswhothinkI’mgoingtofuckthembecausetheyshowsomecleavage.”

Iheariceinhisvoicethat’sneveroncebeentherewhenhe’stalkingtome.IfI’mbeinghonest,it

almostscaresmealittletohearhimlikethat.ThenIthinkabouthowhe’sbeingthiswaytoshieldme,
andmynervousnessdissipates.Ipushdownhisbriefsandtakehiminmyhand.

This part is easy. I’ve made him come with my hands before. I close my eyes, and take a deep

breathbeforebendingoveranddartingmytongueouttogivehimalittlelick.HetasteslikeMase.I
don’tknowhowelsetodescribeit,butthat’sit.Him.

He leans down to whisper in my ear. “It’s just us here, Isa. Just us. They can’t see what you’re

doing,andI’llprobablykillKurtifhespeaksupagain.I’msorryithastobelikethis,butIcouldn’t
lethimtouchyou.”

“Thankyou,”Iwhisperback,andthenIjustclosemyeyesanddoit.
Ilickhisshaftfrombottomtotop,andthentakehimintomymouth—justalittle,enoughforhim

to moan into my ear. I know he’s holding himself back from just thrusting into my mouth. Being

gentleforme.Ishowhimmyappreciationbyopeningmymouthwider,andtakinghimallthewayto
thebackofmythroat.

I’m surprised that I’m liking this. A lot. He’s pulling my hair tight, as he tries not to make any

noise, which is way hotter than it sounds. To know that he’s shielding me while at the same time,
keepinghissoundsformealone,wellthatjustmakesmefallalittlemoreforhim.

Ireachdownandcuphistesticlesinmyhand,rollingthemacrossmyfingerswhilepumpinghim

with my other hand, and sucking hard with my mouth. It takes less than a minute before he stiffens
beneath me, and grips my head, hard. “Isa,” he breathes as he comes in my mouth. I swallow down
everythinghegivesme,andlickmylipsasIlethimgowithapop.

We’rebothbreathinghardasIkeepmyheaddownwhilemovinghisclothesbackintoplace.He

pushesmyhandsawaytoziphimselfupandre-fastenhisbelt.Ilookupintohiseyes,andhesmilesat
me,lettingmeknowIdiditright.Istarttosmilebackwhentheclappingbegins.

“Verynice,Isabelle.Verynice.Yougothimoffinlessthanfiveminutes.”
“Icould’vedoneitintwo,”Gracesays.
“She’llgetbetterwithpractice.”
“Yougotyourshow,sowhydon’tyoujustgethelloutofmyoffice.”
“Andletyouhaveagoatheragain?No.”
MasestandssofastthatIalmostfallover.“Youlittlesonofabitch.”
“Temper,temper,Mr.Wells.IfIdidn’tknowanybetter,I’dthinkyouwantmorethanasuckorfuck

fromthelovelyIsabelle.”

“Get.Out.Now.Allofyou.”
Thaticeinhisvoicehasreturned,andKurtdoesn’ttrytotalkbacktohimagain.HegrabsGrace

andishalfwayoutthedoorwhenheseesIhaven’tmovedyet.“Hesaidallofus,Isabelle.Thatmeans
you, too. You can go cry yourself to sleep now. Just make sure you’re ready for your first date
tomorrownight.”

I turn to look at Mase, but he’s looking away, his jaw clenched. I get up off the floor, and make

myselfwalkoutthedoor,eventhoughallIwanttodoisrun.Yes,wehavepartstoplay.Iknow that.
ButbeingtreatedthesameasthemafterwhatIjustdid,well,ithurts.AndIdon’tknowhowtostopit.

***

Mason

IhadtoactcoldtowardsIsa.IfI’dshownhowmuchIcared,itcouldhaveendeduphurtingusboth.

Kurt wouldn’t hesitate to cause trouble for me, and then Isa would be all alone. Dammit! This isn’t
aboutIsa.

WhoamIkidding?FromthemomentIsawher,everything’sbeenabouther.Butitcan’tbe.Ineed

tofindawaytoslowthingsdownwhiletryingtostillhelpher.Nottonight,though.Tonightsheneeds
me.Oratleastthe“me”I’velethersee—whichishonestly,therealone.

Istopforfood,andthenmakemywaytoherplace.Theguardsinthelobbynodatme,andgrant

meaccesstotheelevator.ShehasthedooropenbeforeIgettoher,andIdropthefoodtopullher
intoahug.

“Areyouokay,babe?”
“No.”
Shit.“WhatcanIdo?Tellme.I’lldoanything.”
“Iwanttopunchyou.”
“Okay.”

Ilockmylegsinplaceandbenddownalittle,givinghermychin.Shepunchesmeinthestomach

instead,andIdoubleover.Ialmostforgotthatshe’snotthesweethighschoolgirlpeoplethinksheis.
She’satrainedspy,andshecoulddoawholelotmorethanpunchme.Sheprobablywillonceallis
said and done, and I can’t even complain about that. I deserve whatever she does to me. Because I
knowIshould’veneverevenstartedthis—whateveritis—withher.

“Now can you just cuddle with me while we eat?” she asks, picking up the bag of food from the

floor.

“Yeah,”Itellher,myvoicestillalittleshaky.“Youpackonehellofapunch,bytheway.”
“Iwouldn’thavepassedmytrainingifIcouldn’t.”
Ismilethen,myfirstrealsmileallday.It’stoofuckingcutewhenshe’sbeingsosensible.Andhot.

Thatbrainofhersisanundiscoveredaphrodisiac.

Wecuddle,andkissforafewhoursbeforeIcarryheruptobed.Sheasksmetostayforalittle

while,andIdo.ItgivesmeachancetoaskheraboutsomethingsI’mcuriousabout.

“AlltheGriffinsknowaboutyouguys,huh?”
“What?”
“Iwasjustwondering.Imean,IknowLukeknows.Sohisdadandbrothersknowtoo,right?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.Wecan’tjustgoaroundtellingeveryoneweknow.Evenifwethinkwecantrustthem,they

mightslipuponeday.”

“Thatmakessense.”Andhelpsmewithsomethingthathadcomeupearliertoday.
“Thanksforstayingweme,”shetellsmeonayawn.
“It’smypleasure.Gotosleep,Isa.I’vegotyou.”
“Iknow.”
Once she’s sleeping soundly, I kiss her on the forehead before leaving. I wish things could be

differentforus,butthey’renot.SothisisgoingtohavetobethelasttimeIcomehere.Ishould’ve
toldherthat,butIdidn’t.Myheartwasstillholdingouthope,butmybrainwonout.Italwaysdoes.

CHAPTER6

Isa

Today’sthebigday.Well,theotherbigday.Ihavetogoonmyfirst“date.”Sincewedidn’thave

theexacttimelineofwhenKurtwasgoingtosendmeout,Reinacouldn’tgetoneoftheguystostep
in. Audrey stopped by with something to help me out, though. That’s the only reason I’m not more
worried—there’saplaninplace.

IamalittleworriedaboutmeandMase,however.Hewassweetandlovinglastnight,butitseemed

off.IknowhelikedwhatIdidyesterday,sothat’snotit.Itwasalsoweirdwhenheaskedmeaboutthe
otherGriffins.Ididn’tlikelyingtohim,butit’spartofmyjobtoprotecttheprivacyandidentityof
our“Friends.”Iwouldneveroutsomeone,evenifitistothemanI’vefalleninlovewith.

“Isabelle,let’swalktogether,”Gracesays,comingupbesideme.
“Sure.”
“Doyouknowwhatyou’rewearingtonight?”
“Asamatteroffact,Ido.”
“Ithastobeclassy,butsexyatthesametime.Areyousureyoucanmakethathappen?”sheasks,

lookingatmefromheadtotoe,andobviouslyfindingmelacking.

“IstheresomethingwrongwiththatI’mwearingtoday,Grace?”
Ihaveonwidelegbluejeans,withablack,shortsleevedtopthattiesattheside,showingalittlebit

of skin. My hair is in some kind of crazy twist Stella felt I needed this morning, and I even have a
coupleofbangleson.SoI’mreallynotsurewhat’swrongwithmyoutfit.

“Youlooklikeyou’retryingtoohardtonotbesexy,”shesays.“Ishouldtakeyoushoppingafter

school.”

“Thanks,butIlikemylook.”
“Comeon,it’llbefun.I’mgoingtobeastylist,youknow.Infact,myfatherisgoingtogetmean

internshipwithKacefromStoryside’sstylist,Stella.”

“That’snotgoingtohappen,”Isaybeforemybraincanstopmymouth.
“Excuseme?”
“Stelladoesn’tdointernships,”Isay,tryingtoworkmywayoutofthis.
“Andhowwouldyouknowthat.Youdon’tknowher.”
“Actually,Ido.She’smystylist.”
“Asif.”
Cluelessmuch?Morelikeallthetimeinhercase,butstill.“Sheismystylist,andifsheheardwhat

yousaidaboutmyclothesaminuteago,itwouldn’tbepretty.”

“Havehercomehereatlunchtimeifshe’sreallyyourstylist.”
“Icanseeifshe’savailable.”
“Youdothat.Webothknowyou’relying,sogoodluck.”
High school was never this cutthroat for me when I was there for real. Probably because I was

muchyoungerthaneveryone,sonoonesawmeasathreattotheirdominance.It’slikeanimalsinthe
wild, with a whole mini-population watching and waiting for the battle. If Grace and everyone else

knewhowlittleanyofthatmeanstome,they’dbeshocked.It’sthenatureofthebeasttowanttobethe
strongestofthepack,butIreallyjustwantthelibrary.

I’veneverwantedattentionoradorationfromthemasses.Orevenjustasingleperson,really.Until

IjoinedtheSociety,andmetthewomenwhoarelikeasecondfamily,Ididn’tcareformuchexcept
forlearningeverythingIcouldabout,well,everything.NowthatI’vemetMase,Iwantmore.Iwant
his love. Maggie Griffin saved me from a life of solitude, and some other stuff my parents had
plannedforme,butI’mafraidthatshewon’tbeabletosavemefromheartacheifImessthisupand
losethemanIlove.

***

Mason

Ihavelunchdutytoday,andIcanhearacommotionasIwalktothecafeteria.It’salwaysalittle

crazy in there, but the fact that I can hear the noise all the way down the hall makes me think
somethingspecial’sgoingon.Itisalmostpromtime,somaybeacrazyinvitationishappening.I’ll
findoutsoonenough.

Walkinginthedoor,Iseethatit’sevenmoreofafrenzythanIoriginallyexpected.AndthenIsee

why.ThatKacekidfromtheboybandisstandingonatablewithabombshellofawoman,andIsa.I
don’tknowwhat’sgoingon,orwhythey’rehere,butIwadeintothecrowdtohelphissecurityand
theotherteachers.

“What’sgoingon?”IaskwhenIgettothefront.
It’sGracewhoanswers.“Ididn’tbelieveIsabellewhenshesaidthatStellawasherstylist.Itoldher

tomakehercomehere.Wedidn’texpectKace,too,butI’mnotcomplaining.”

“Ofcoursenot.”
“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
“Don’ttestmetoday.”
Beforeshecanrespond,thenewgirljumpsonthetable.“Kace,baby,it’sbeentoolong.”
Thebombshell—Stella—looksreadytokillherasshepullshimintoahug.“Ohhey,Erica.”
“It’sEllie,”sheremindshimwithapout.
“Ohyeah.Sorry.”
“Weshouldgetoutofhere.Youknowit’llbegood.”
“I’mtheonlyonehe’llbeleavingwithsorunalonglittlegirl.”
Stella and Ellie have a staring contest that lasts long enough for the security team and other

teacherstoorganizethestudentsintoalongline.IbelatedlynoticeitwhenthetensionbreaksasKace
reachesoverandkissesStellalikehemeansit.Elliejumpsoffthetableoncesherealizesthatshe’s
beendefeated.

“Hisloss,”sheshoutsasshestormsout.
IwatchasKurtfollowsinherwake.Smartguy.He’sbeenwantingher,andnowmightbehisbest

shotatgettingher.Iturnmyattentionbacktothetable,wherethehappycouplearestillmakingout
liketheirlifedependsonit.

“Excuseme,”Isay.“Thenativesaregettingalittlerestless.”
Theypullawayfromeachotherwithsmilesontheirface.IwishIcouldkissIsalikethatinpublic.

ButIcan’t,andprobablyneverwill.Thethoughtofbeingwithoutherislikeaknifeslicingthrough
myheart,butItrytoignorethepain.IknewwhattheoutcomewaswhenIwentintothis,andit’stoo
latetostopitnow.

“Walkwithme,”Stellasaysasshejumpsoffthestage.

Irealizeshe’stalkingtome,andIlookupatIsa.“Umm,nothanks.”
“Itwasn’tarequest,GlobeGuy.”
“GlobeGuy?”
“Youdoteachhistoryandgeography,right?”
“Yes.”
“Thenthereyougo.You’reaDoubleG.Theperfectpair.”
“Stella,”Isasaystoher,comingupnexttous.Shedoesn’tlookhappy,andit’skindofhottothink

shemaybejealous.

“Ineedtohaveatalkwithyourteacher,Isa.IpromisetoleavehiminonepiecewhenI’mdone.

KeepaneyeonKaceforme,okay?Thesekidsarealittlenuts.”

“Thenstayandwatchoutforhimyourself.Andleavemy…teacher…alone.”
“Ijustwanttotalk.”
Isagivesin,whichI’mnotsureisagoodthingornot.“Fine.Butonepiece.Imeanit.”
“Pinkyswear.”
SheholdsherpinkyoutandIsalinksherswithit.TheybothsmileasStellagrabsmyarm.Ilether

holdontomeaswewalkintothehall.Istarttoheadintomyoffice,butshesteersmeintomyempty
classroominstead.Oncewe’reinthedoor,shelocksitandpushesmeintomydesk.

“Whatthehell?”
“IpromisedherI’dleaveyouinonepiece,butknowthis.YouhurtIsa,andIwillleaveyoualive.

ButjustenoughtofeelthepainI’veinflictedonyou.”

“Idon’tknowwhat—“
“Iworkwithher,asshole,soyoucandroptheact.”
Shit.“Idon’twanttohurther.”
“You’renotdoingawholelottoreassuremehere.”
“Ican’tpredictthefuture.”
“Again,notreassuring.”
“Canyoutellmeyourfuture?”
“Theexactdetails,no.ButIcantellyouitbeginsandendswiththatguysigningautographsinthe

cafeteria.”

“It’sthateasyforyou?”
“Easy? Fuck no. We’ve been to Hell and back. But we’ve got each other, and that means we can

survivewhateverhappenstous.”

“Whataboutotherwomen?”
“Youmeanlikethechickwhojumpedonthetable?”Inod.“No.Idon’tworry.Iknowhelovesme,

andthatmeanshewon’tcheatonme.”

“Cheatingisn’ttheonlywaytohurtsomeone.”
“No,it’snot.Andnowyou’vegotmeworriedagain.”
Sheshouldbe,butI’mnotstupidenoughtotellherthatoutright.Idoplacesomevalueonmylife.

“Isa’stoogoodforme.”

“She’stoogoodforeveryone.Withhersuperbrain,bigheart,andafacethatbelongsonthewalls

of a museum, no one can compare to her. But she’s chosen you. Now the only question is, are you
goingtorisetothechallengeornot?”

Iwanttolie.Hell,I’mamasteratlying,butIknowIsa’sgoingtoneedherfriends.SoItellStella

thetruth.“Not.”

Shecloseshereyes,andexhales.“Iwasafraidofthat.Youneedtowalkawaynow.Scratchthat,you

needtorun.Gotoanothercity,findanotherjob,Idon’tgivetwofucks.Justgoaway.”

“Ican’tdothat,Stella.”

“Thenbepreparedforthefallout.I’mnotIsa’sonlyfriend.AndIcantellyouthateveryonewho

knowsherisfiercelyprotectiveofher.We’renotgoingtostandbywhilesomedumbassprickwho
she gave her most precious gift to shreds her heart. There’ll be Hell to pay when everything goes
down.AndwhatIsaidaboutleavingyoualive?Ourfriendsmaynotbethataccommodating.”

“I’mawareofhowmyactionswillcomebacktobitemeintheass.”Iacceptedthatalongtimeago.

“Butfortherecord,I’mhumbledbywhatshegaveme.Noothergifthasevercomeclosetomaking
mefeelwhatshedid—does.Iloveher,Stella,butthiswouldneverwork.Wewouldneverwork.”

“Tellhertoday,Mason,andI’llkeeptheassassinsatbay.”
“Thankyou.”
“I’mdoingthisforher,andnotyou.”
“Iknow.”

***

Isa

Ididn’thavetimetotalktoMaseafterhewentoffwithStella,andIcan’tdoitnow,either.Ihaveto

leave right after school to start getting ready for my date. When Kurt told me the time, I was
surprised.IguessIjustassumedthatthesethingswouldhappenatnight,notaroundearlybirddinner
time.I’mnervous,butwithalittlehelpfrommyfriends,IknowI’llbeokay.

Tegan’sdoingmyhairwhenStellagetstomy“parents’”house.WefigureditwasbestifIleftfrom

hereincaseanyonewaswatchingme.Tegan’sbeenposingasthehousekeeperforaweek,whichI’m
guessingispartofherpunishmentfortellingtalesaboutherbestielastmonth.Allhasbeenforgiven,
andthey’reascloseasevernow,soIdon’taskhertoleavewhenIconfrontStella.

“WhatdidyousaytoMasontodayattheschool?”
Shedoesn’thesitatetoanswer.“ItoldhimI’dfuckhimupreallybad,butkeephimalivetofeelthe

pain,ifhehurtyou.”

“What?”Iask,jumpingoutofthechairsofastthatIalmostburnTeganwiththecurlingiron.
“Damn,Isa.Warnagirl,please.Butyouknowwhatshetoldhimistrue.We’dalltakeaturnathim

ifhebrokeyourheart.”

“No.Youwouldn’t,”ItellthemasIsitdown.“Itwouldbemyproblem.I’mtiredofbeingtreated

likealittlekidwhoneedstobeprotected.”

“That’snotwhat’shappeninghere,”Darcysaysasshestepsintotheroom.Noneofusheardher

enterthehouse—whichwaslocked.That’swhyshe’sgoingtobeabigpartofwhathappenstonight.

“Thenpleaseenlightenmebecauseitsoundedlikethatwasexactlywhatwashappening.Again.”
“Stella threatened him because she’s your friend. And Tegan said we’d all go after him for the

same reason. We’d go after anyone who hurt one of us. We’re more than a team, we’re family. At
leastIthinkofyouallthatway.”

“Iloveallofyou.Youaremychosenfamily.It’sjust…mybiologicalfamilyshelteredmesomuch

becauseIwas,well,thewayIam.AndIseeyoualldoit,too.I’mrarelysentonmissions,andyouall
keepguysawayfrommewhenIgooutwithyou.”

“Holdup,”Tegansays.“StellandIhavetriedtogetyoutohookup,oratleastkisssomeone,every

timewe’vegoneoutwithyou.Sodon’tincludeus.”

“I don’t think you’ve had less missions because anyone’s trying to protect you, either. You went

throughthesametrainingthatwedid.Weknowyoucanbebadasswhenyouwantto.Orhaveto.I
thinkithasmoretodowiththefactthatyouaresofreakingamazingbehindthescenes.You’vesaved
meatleasttwicethatIknowof,andprobablymoretimesthatIdon’t,”Darcytellsme.

“I’msorry.Ididn’tmeantosoundlikeabitch.It’sjustthatI’vealwayswenttoschoolwithpeople

whowerewayolderthanme.Becauseofthat,myparentsandteachersalwayskeptmeseparatedfrom
theotherstudents.Iunderstandwhytheydidit,butIhadnofriendsuntilallofyou.AndIguessIwant
tobelikeyou.Well,notexactlylikeyou,butIdon’twanttobeprotectedanymore.IfMasebreaksmy
heart,I’lldealwithit.It’llsuck,buteveryone’shadtheirheartbrokenatleastonce,right?”

“Ihave.Anditsucksballs,butI’mafunctionalmemberofsocietyatpresent.NottheSocietysince

I’mstillbeingpunished.ButIdookay,”Tegansays.

“You’llbebackonamissionsoon,Teeg.”
“I know. And I’m kind of liking my down time. Helping Yas set up the literacy center has been

great.Ijustmisstakingdownbadguys.”

“Idoubttheymissyou,”Stellasays,andwealllaugh.
Everyonere-focusesonthetaskofgettingmeready,andbeforelongI’mheadedouttomyfirst

“date.” I hope our plans work, because I’m not prepared for anything other than flirting. Well, and
onekiss.That’sallI’llneed.

CHAPTER7

Isa

Kurt is waiting when I walk into the hotel. He makes eye contact with me, and nods towards an

oldergentlemansittingaloneatthelobbybar.Iknowhowthisissupposedtogodown.Hetoldme
whenhecorneredmeatschooltoday.Well,Iguessit’snotreally“cornering”sinceI’msupposedto
beonboardwithallthisnow.

I make my way into the bar, and sit down next to my “friend.” “There you are. When you didn’t

comerightbacktotheroomafteryourmeeting,Iwasworried.”

“Iknewyou’dfindme,mydear.Howwasyourday?”
“It would’ve been better if you hadn’t had that dumb meeting,” I tell him with the best pout I can

muster.

Yes,thisconversationiskillingsomeofmybraincells,butplayingdumbisgoingtohelpmelater.

Hewon’texpectwhat’scoming.WhichmeansKurtwon’tsuspectanythingisofflater,either.

“I’msorrytohaveignoredyou,butI’llmakeituptoyou.Ipromise.”
Helooksmeupanddown,andthensmileslikethecatwhocaughtthecanary.Iwanttothrowup,

but I keep the smile pasted on my face. Audrey’s taught me well. I even manage to reach out and
strokehisarmwhilekeepingthedrinkheorderedmedown.Itakeanothersipashishandmovesto
myknee.

“Ithinkwe’rereadytogouptooursuitenow,”hesayswhenIfinishmydrinkacoupleofminutes

later.

Inod,butthenstumbleasIstandup.Something’swrong.Idon’tfeelright.Hegripsmyarmtightly,

and smiles indulgently at me. My brain clears for a moment, and I realize that I’ve been drugged. I
watchedmydrinkfromthemomentthebartendergaveittome,sohemustbetheonewhodidit.I
reachoverandlightlypressonmyforearmbeforesuccumbingtothecloudinessagain.

We’re stumbling into his room with him practically carrying me when the fog lifts again for a

moment.“Lipstick,”Isay.

“Youwantmetoputyourlipstickon,mydear?”
Inod,andhesetsmedownonthecouch.Ifeelhimopenmysmallbag,andthenhe’spaintingmy

lips. Thank God. I know my friends are close by, but they can’t interfere. I’m fading again, but I
managetogetthetwowordsout.“Kissme.”

He does, sticking his tongue in my mouth even though I’m not an active participant. He starts to

pullmydressup,butdoesn’tgetveryfar.Ifeelhimstiffenbeforehecollapsesontopofme.Ican’t
movehim,butatleastIknowI’msafe.It’sthelastthoughtIhavebeforefallingcompletelyunder.

WhenIwakeup,mymindisstillfoggybutmydateisn’tontopofmeanymore.Islowlyopenmy

eyes,blinkingafewtimes.

“She’sawake,”Ihearsomeonesay.Ithinkit’sTegan,butshe’snotsupposedtobehere.
“Isa,canyouhearme?”Reinaasksme.Sheshouldn’tbehere,either.
“Yes.Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Youweredrugged,DoubleG.”Matt’sheretoo?

“Iknow.Iactivatedmypanicbutton,knowingAinsleywouldseethedruginmybloodwhenmy

vitalspoppedup.”

“Youstillmanagedtoknockouttheoldguy,”Mattsayswithadmirationinhisvoice.
Ismileathimandstarttositup.Herushesovertoholdme.“Icouldn’tsaymuch,butIgothimto

putmylipstickonandkissme.”

“You did really good,” Matt tells me, kissing my temple. “I would’ve killed him if he’d touched

you,youknow.”

“Youwould’vehadtogetinline.PleasetellmeIcanhaveagoatKurtbeforeweturnhimover.

He’s behind this, and guys who drug girls to rape them—or have someone else do it—need to feel
somepain.”

“Youcanhaveonepunch,Teeg,”Reinapromisesher.
“I appreciate the support, but isn’t this going to jeopardize the mission? I mean, only Darcy was

supposedtobeheretohelpme.”

“Noonewillknowtheywerehere,”Darcysays,comingoutofthebedroom.“Theguy’salltaken

careofinthere.”

“Condomwrapper,emptybottles,theworks?”Reinaasks.
“I’mnotnewatrainee,Rei.YouknowIknowwhatI’mdoing.”
Weallknowthat.BeforeMalloryrecruitedher,Darcywasacatburglarandconwoman.Shegrew

upthatway,soshe’sdonethingslikethisherwholelife.Sheknowshowtogetherselfoutofpretty
muchanysituation.That’sreallycomeinhandyforusonanumberofmissions.

“Idoknow,Darce.ButIwouldn’tbedoingmyjobifIdidn’tdoublecheckeverything.”
“Youcandoublecheckmeanytime,Princess,”Matttellsher.
“I’mnotevensinglecheckingyouatthemoment.Infact,don’tyouhaveabartotrawl?”
Icanfeelhimsighbehindmesincehe’sstillholdingmeup.“Thisisn’tmyidealsettingforthis

conversation,butIneedyoutohearmeandI’lltakewhatIcanget.I’mveryawareofwhatyou’re—
we’re—notdoing.AndwhenIwentoutlastnight,itwasjusttohangwiththeguys.Ididn’tpickup
anyone.Iwon’tbepickingupanyoneifIgoout.I’msorrythatIhurtyoubywhatIsaidtoNate,and
thatIalwayshurtyou.That’sthelastthingIeverwanttodo,Rei.You’remorethanabodytome,and
youknowit.EvenifIputupmywalls,youseepastthemjustlikeyoualwayshave.I’mgoingtotry
andbetheguyyoudeserve.Iswearit.”

“Ihatetobreakthisup,Ireallydo.Butweneedtogetoutofhere,”Darcysays.
“Yeah, we do,” Matt says. He gives me one more kiss on the forehead before standing up and

grabbing Reina’s hand. She lets him, which I think is a good sign that they’re okay again for the
moment.

They head to the balcony, and I see them put on their harnesses and swing over to the suite next

door.TeganandDarcyfollowthem,butgototheoppositebalcony.Iuntietheirropesoncethey’re
safelyontheotherbalconies,andthenIfixmyselfup,andheaddownstairs.

KurtfallsintostepwithmeasIheadforthevaletline.“Didyouhavefun,Isabelle?”
“Since I don’t remember anything, I really couldn’t tell you,” I say, making my lips tremble. “I

thinkIwasdrugged.”

“Youwere.”
“What?”IshouldbegettinganawardforhowshockedImakemyvoicesound.
“Helikesitthatway.Hedoesn’twantanactiveparticipant.”
“Whatifhe’dhurtme.”
“Hewouldn’t.He’sharmless,andjustwantsapassivefuck.”
“Youcould’vewarnedme.”
“Thatwouldn’thavebeenasmuchfun.Relax.You’refine.”

Tegan’snottheonlyonegettingapunchinwhenwetakedownthislittleasshole.Maybeheneedsa

little drugging, too. I’ll need to talk to Audrey about it. The lipstick she gave me worked perfectly.
She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever met, which helps disguise a brain that rivals mine. Hers leans
towardschemistry,whilemineismoreaboutknowledgeandresearch.Ainsleyandhercombinedare
better than that “Q” guy from the James Bond movies. That’s why the guys call them the A-Team.
Audreyalsohasatheaterbackground,whichsheusestohelpuslearntoblendin,orstandout,when
weneedto.She’stherealdeal.

“Whatnow?”
“You’ll have an envelope in your locker tomorrow, and I’ll be in touch when someone requests

youagain.Haveagreatnight.”

Iturnawayfromhimwithoutanswering.Mynightconsistsofalonghotbath,andmaybeagood

book.I’dliketotalktoMase,too,butafterStellathreatenedhim,hemaywanttostayaway.Ihope
not,butIhavetobepreparedforit.

***

Mason

I’msittinginthegameroomatIsa’sapartmentbuildingwaitingforher.Theguardsdirectedme

herewhentheytoldmeshewasn’thomeyet.There’snoseatinginthelobby,andIwashopingthey’d
justsendmeuptoherplace.Iwantedtolookaroundalittle,andseehowclosesheistobringingKurt
down.Iknowshe’sin,butIreallyneedtoknowhowmuchtimethereis.

Theydidn’tgoformypromisesofjustwantingtosurpriseher,andtoldmethey’dsendherinto

the room once she got here, and I could surprise her then. If I’d been thinking clearly, I would’ve
rememberedthatthisplaceisn’tguardedbytheusualrent-a-cops.That’stheproblem,though.Since
meetingIsa,Ihaven’tbeenthinkingorfocusingthewayIneedtobe.AndIreallyshouldn’tbehere.I
convincedmyselfthatitwasover,butIknowit’snot.Ican’twalkawayfromher.Anditjustmightget
mekilled.

“WhatdoIneedtoseeinthere?”IhearIsaaskfromthehallway.
Idon’theartheanswer,butIstanduptogreetherasshewalksintheroom.“Surprise.”
“Mase?Hi.Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Iwantedtobehereincaseyouneededme.Youknow…after.”
“Oh.Youdidn’thaveto.I’mfine.”
She’s fine after sleeping with some random guy? Maybe we’re both hiding more than I thought.

“Really?”

“Ididn’tsleepwithhim…oranythingelse.”
“What?How?Isn’tKurtgoingtobemad?”Ialreadyknowtheanswertothatlastone,butIhaveto

ask.

“Ican’ttellyouthedetails,butlet’sjustsaythathefellasleep,andwillwakeupthinkingwehada

reallygoodtime.”

Sheknockedhimout.Goodgirl.“That’sthebestnewsI’veheardallday.”
“IknowwhatStellatoldyouearlier.Ihopeshedidn’tscareyouaway,”shetellsme,lookingway

tooserious.

“I’mhere,Isa.”
“Butmaybeit’stootellmegoodbye.”
“That’swhatIshouldbesaying,butIcan’t.Ireallycan’t.”
“Idon’twantyoutobewithmeifit’snotwhatyouwant.”

“I’veneverwantedsomethingasmuchasIwanttobewithyou.Pleasedon’teverforgetthat.Ilove

you,Isa.MorethanIthoughtIcouldloveanotherperson.Ishouldbewalkingawayfromyou,butI’m
tooselfishforthat.”

“Iloveyou,too.Andifwantingyouisselfish,thenforthefirsttimeinmylife,that’swhatIplanto

be.”

Ikissher.Ican’tnotkissheraftershesayssomethinglikethat.Shekissesmeback,andweboth

pour everything we are into it. Into each other. I’ve never kissed another woman like this, because
there’sneverbeenanyonelikethisformebefore.Andthereneverwillbeafterher.She’sitforme,
andthatmeansI’mgoingtodiealoneoneday.BecauseGodknows,I’mnotgoingtobewithher.

Iputthosethoughtsoutofmymindasshestartswalkingbackwards,ourmouthsstillhavingtheir

playdate.Iholdherhandsassheleadsmedownthehall.Westopkissingbeforethelobby,butIkeep
possessionofoneofherhands.Wesmileandnoduntiltheelevatordoorsclose,andthenthebases
areloaded.

HerlegsarewrappedaroundmeasIsuckonhernipplethroughthefabricofherdressandbra,

and thrust my pelvis into hers. Her hands are pulling at my hair as she squeezes me closer. I never
realizedthatdryhumpinginanelevatorcouldbesohot.Belatedly,Ithinkofthecamerasthatmustbe
inhere,andpullback.

“Cameras?”
“Yes.ButAin—myfriend—willerasethetapes.Ineedyourmouth.”
We reach her floor just as I give her what she asked for. I’m the one walking backwards now,

carryingherinmyarmsasshestartskissingandbitingmeoneveryexposedpieceoffleshshecan
find. I gently pry her off my neck to remind her that it’s not turtleneck season and there’s school
tomorrow.

“ButIwanttomarkyouasmine.IwantGracetoseethatshecan’thaveyou.”
“I’mallyours,babe.AndGracewasneverevenaconsideration.Nowletmegetyouupstairs,”I

tellherasIpushherdooropen.

“No.Notthere.Iwantit…”
“Where?Wheredoyouwantmetomakelovetoyou?”
She doesn’t answer at first, but I see her eyes dart to the side. Ah, she wants it there. We haven’t

donethatsincethefirsttime.Whenitwashorribleforher,andheartwrenchingforme.Icantotally
workwiththat.ButIwanttohearitfromher.

“Tellme,Isa.Commandme.”
Hereyeswiden,whilehermouthformsanO.Iholdhergazeashereyessearchmine.Fortonight,

she’sincharge,andIneedhertoknowthat.Asmirkformsonherlips.

“Iwantitagainstthebookcase,Mase.”
“Whatdoyouwant?Nameitandit’syours,”ItellherasIcarryheroverthereandsetherdown

withherbacktoherbelovedbooks.

“Takeofyourclothes,”shetellsmebitingherlip.“And…andthenmine.”
“Yes,ma’am.”
ShestartslaughingasIpullmyt-shirtovermyheadandtoeoffmysportssandals.“Don’tcallme

that.Thisissonotthatkindofthing.”

“Itcouldbe.I’dtotallysubmitforanight.”
“Dulynoted.”
I’vegotmyshortsandbriefspushedpastmyhipsnow.Iwatchherasshe’swatchingme,licking

herlipswithoutrealizingit.“YoulikewhatI’mshowingyou?”

“Ilove.Iwant.”
“Yourclothesarestillon.”

“Hurryup,then.Imean,geez.Whatkindofsubmissiveareyou?”
God,she’sadorable.Andsexy.“Yousaidweweren’tplayinglikethat,”Iremindher.
“Wellnotafteryougetourclothesoff,butuntilthen,Iwasexpectingsomelevelofurgency.”
“I’mworththewait,”IsayasIrunmyhandsupherthighs,takingherdresswithme.
“Oh,Iknow.WhichiswhyI’msoimpatient.”
I’vegotitoverherhipsnow,exposingplainboyshorts.Shedidn’twearhersexystufffortheold

guywhichmakesmevery,veryhappy.“Goodthingscometothosewhowait.”

“Amazingthingscomeforguyswhotakeagirlhardagainstabookcase.”
I chuckle as I pull the dress over her head. I dip my head and take her bra strap in my mouth,

grazingherwithmyteethasIpullitdown.Istarttomovetotheotherone,whenshegroans.Andnot
ina“thisisamazing,domore”way.“Mason.”

“Jake,”Itellherwithoutthinking.
“What?”
Shit.IstopwhatI’mdoingandputmymouthtoherear,hopingtogetthisoutintherightway.“My

goodfriendscallmeJake.I’veneverreallylikedthenameMason.”ForreasonsIcan’ttellher.

“Okay.Pleasestoptorturingme,Jake,andputyourmouthonme.”
“Where?”IaskasIdropherbratothefloor.
“Anywhere.Everywhere.”
I nuzzle my nose between her breasts and start kissing and licking back and forth, from one to

another.WhileIdothat,Islidemyhandsdownherstomachtoholdherhips.Iletmythumbsrubher
skinbeneathherpanties,butIdon’ttryandtakethemoff.It’snottimeyet.Shehasotherideas.

“No,”Itellherwithoneofhernipplesinmymouth.
Shetriedtotakethoselittleshortsoffherself,andthat’sjustnothappening.Iwasgivenanorder

andIfullyintendtofollowit.OnceI’mready.

“IthoughtIwasincharge.”
“Oh,youare.Ipromise.”
I start kissing below those perfect handfuls, and get to her ribs before she halts my progress by

pushingmeawayfromherandcrossingherarms.Iholdbackmylaughasshelooksatmewithone
eyebrowlifted.

“IfIwastrulyincontrolhere,bookswouldbeshakingontheshelvesbehindme.Youhaven’teven

takenmyunderwearoff.”

IhavetotellherthetruthbecausethisisonethingIcan’tlietoherabout.“Iwantedtocherishyou,

Isa.Iwantyoutoknowhowmuchyoumeantome.Butifyouwantmetoripyourpantiesoff,and
fuckyouagainstthisbookcase,Icandothattoo.”

Hereyesgetwet,whichisnotwhat’ssupposedtobehappening.Atall.Shit.Ireallydosuckatthis

lovestuff.I’mtryingtofigureouthowtofixthiswhensheputsallmyfearstorest.

“Thank you. I want to be cherished. And also fucked hard against my books. But cherishing first

wouldbewonderful.”

Ikisshersoftly,myheartfeelinglighterasIpusheverythingexceptforusandthismomentaside.I

droptomykneesandkissmywayacrossherstomachfromonesidetotheother.Iswirlmytongue
aroundherbellybutton,nibbleoneachhip.Afterherpantiesareoff,shespreadsherlegswiderfor
me.

I’munderstandingwhyshewantedtomarkmeearlier.Iwanttoclaimherasmine,evenifIcan’t

do it publicly. I start to sink my teeth into her inside thigh, but look up at her as she grips my hair
tight.

“Yes,”shetellsme.

Ibitehardasshemoans.IknowshelikeditbecauseliquiddripsdowntomycheekasI’msoothing

herwithlittlelicks.IturnmyheadandlickuptherestofherthightowhereIreallywanttobe.

Itakemytimethere,licking,sucking,andbitingherthroughtwoexplosiveorgasms.I’mharder

thanIcaneverrememberbeinginmylifeasIgettomyfeetandtakehermouthagain.Herhandsgo
tomyasstopullmeclose,andIalmostcomealloverherstomach.

“Stillwantithard?”IaskbecauseIknowIleftheralittleshakyalready.Shenods.“Good.Because

Ireallywanttofuckyourightnow.”

Ireachdowntograbacondomfrommyshorts,butshestopsme.“YouknowI’mclean.Ifyouare,

Itrustyou.I’monbirthcontrol.”

Ohhellyeah.I’veonlybeenbarewithahandfulofwomeninmy29years,butIknowhowgoodit

feels.BeingwithIsalikethatmaykillme.ButI’mmorethanreadytodieforher.

Istraighten,pickherupandmakesureherlegsarewrappedtightlyaroundme.OnceI’mlinedup,

Igrabherhandsandlinkourfingersaboveherhead.OnlythendoIslamintoher,andnearlycome
immediatelywithhowgooditfeels.

“Holyfuck.Iknewitwouldbeamazing,butthis…you…ifImove,I’mgoingtocome.”
“Somove.I’vealreadycometwice,incaseyouforgot.”
“Ineverforgethavingmymouthonyou.You’resure?”
“Yes,Jake.I’msure.”
That—hearingmynameonherlipswhileI’mburiedballsdeepinsideofher—that’swhatmakes

memove.I’mpoweringintoherwithinseconds,feelingthattinglingdownmyspinethattellsmeI’m
close.Isabeatsmetoitasshecomesforathirdtime,screamingoutthenameItoldhertocallme.
I’mrightbehindher,spillingeverythingIhaveintoherasafewbooksfallofftheshelves.

“OhGod,Isa.Ididn’tknowyouweresoclose.”
“Ididn’teither,”shesaysandwebothburstoutlaughing.
Wecleanup,andmakesomeomeletstogether.Imakeslowlovetoherbeforewefallasleepinher

bedhourslater.Mylifeisperfect.Aperfectlie,thatis.I’mrunningoutoftime,andGodhelpusall
whenthatclockstrikestwelve,becausethisisnofairytaleandI’mdefinitelynoprince.

CHAPTER8

Isa

Ellie joins us a few days later with no fanfare, and no initiation. She told Kurt her mouth wasn’t

cominganywherenearhis“littlepenis”unlesshepaidup.Hesaidhedidn’tpayforit,andshetold
himshedidn’tgiveituptohighschoolguysforfree.Shetoldmeheturnedred,butheknowsshe’ll
bringingoodmoney,soheagreed.IseehertalkingtoGracenearmylockerandhavetohideasmile
asIwalkuptothemafterschool.

“Hi,I’mIsabelle.”
“Ohyeah,Ialmostforgottotellyouaboutthebraniac.Iguessthelibrarianlookdoesitforsome

guys.”

“Me, too.” Ellie says as she reaches out to twist one of my loose curls around her finger. “I’d

totallydoyou,Isabelle.”

“Um…thanks,”Isay,holdingbackmylaughter.
“Girlongirl.Icouldtotallysellthat,”KurttellsusasheplaceshisarmsaroundmeandEllie.
“Icoulddoit,Kurt.”
“No,Grace.Thesetwowouldbeperfect.AndIknowjusttheclient.Hesignedonyesterday,andI

canalreadytellhe’dbeupforanything.Bereadyformytext,ladies,”hesaysbeforeheadingdown
thehallandoutthedoors.

“He’sonlygivingyouattentionbecauseyou’renew.I’mhisfavorite.Ialwayswillbe.”
I’mhorrifiedasIrealizethatGraceneedsthatattention.That’swhyshe’sdoingthis.Dammit.She

needstoseeherworth,andshe’snotgoingtodothatwhileshe’sonherback.Orherknees.“Weneed
togetherhelpafterthisisover,”ItellEllieafterGraceisgoneandthehallisempty.

“Yeah.Wedefinitelydo.”
“Thanksforsaying…youknow.”
“Whyareyouthankingme?IwouldtotallydoyouifIwasintogirls.You’rehot,myfriend.”
“Sure.”
“Um,hello,who’sgotthesexyteacherpracticallyrippingherclothesoffintheelevator?”
“What?Ainsleysaidshe’derasethetapes.”
“She did,” Ellie tells me with a wide grin. “But you just confirmed my suspicions. And won me

twentybucksfromJade.”

“Youtwoareridiculous.”
“Yeah,yeah.Youknowyouloveus.”
“Ido.”
Bothofourphonesbuzzrightthen.“Really?”Ellieasks.
“Iguess‘girlongirl’iswhattheclientordered.”
“Luckyus.”
WedecidetotakeourowncarstothehotelsoKurtdoesn’tgetsuspicious.Hetoldustojustcome

asweare,becausetheguytoldhimhecouldcarelessaboutwhatwewear—aslongaswetakeitoff

fast.Ellie’snotnervousaboutushavingtodothis,butIam.I’veneverbeenwithagirlbefore.And
whileI’dratheritbewithsomeoneIknow,I’dpreferforittoneverhappen.

Thisisadifferenthotelthanlasttime,andthedirectionshavechangedaswell.Aftervaleting,we

walkintogether,nodatKurt,whojoinsusintheelevator.Werideupanddownalittleuntilwe’re
finallyaloneinthere.Hetakesoutakeycardandgivesittome.

“This guy’s well known in some circles. He can bring me a ton of business, so make sure he’s

morethanhappywhenyouleave.Hesaidhewantedjusttheshow,butifheasksforsomethingelse,
justgiveittohim.Anything.”

“Youdon’tknowwhathelikes?”Iask,confused.Kurttoldmehekeepsdetailedfilesonhisclients.
“Hejustsignedon,sono.”
“Howdoyouknowthisissafe?”Ellieasks,knowingfullwellthatthetwoofuscouldhandlepretty

muchanything.

“He’sprobablynot.ButlikeIsaid,hecouldbringinalotofmoney.Andoneofyoushouldbeable

togetawayifhetriessomething.Callmeandnot911ifthathappens,though.”

He’scompletelyserious.Kurt’swillingtosendusintoasituationthatcouldgetatleastoneofus

hurtinordertogetmorebusiness.HashedonethattoMax?OrGrace?Weneedtogetthistakedown
donesoon.Iknowwewantthebiggerboss,butIdon’twantanyofustogethurt.

EllieandIdon’tlookateachotherasweexittheelevator.Wemakeourwayslowlyuntilwehear

thedoorsclosebehindus.Westopandlookback,justtomakesureKurtdidn’tgetofftofollowus.

“Whatthefuck,Isa?”
“Iknow.”
“Ifwhoever ’sintheretriesanything,I’mtakinghimthefuckdown.WecangetKurtandhisboss

someotherway.I’mnotdoingsomekinkyshit.”

“Um,hello,we’reabouttohavegirlsex.”
“Well,yeah,butIwasreadyforthat.”
“Youwere?”
“Well,asreadyasIcanbe.Let’sjustgetthisoverwith.”
With a deep breath, I open the door and we walk inside. There’s no one in the living room, but

neitheroneofusmovetowardthebedroom.Ifthisguywantsus,hecanfindus.Wetakeoffourbags,
butthat’sit.

“Hey,you’resupposedtobenakedandgettingiton,”Natesays,comingoutofthebedroom.
“Nate!”IyellasIruntohim.
“Hey,DoubleG,”hesaysashehugsmetight.“Happytoseeme,huh?”
“Definitely.”
“WhatifIstillwantmyshow?Imean,Ididpayforit.”
“You’resuchapig.Youandyourstupidfriends,”Ellietellshim.
“It’ssoniceofyoutoalwayssugarcoatthings,Brass.AndAiden’snotstupid,he’sjustconfused.”
Sheflipshimoff.“LikeyouarewithJade,huh?AndnowIknowwhyyouhiredus—youwantto

seeifIreallyhaveabrasspairundermyskirt,don’tyou?”

“No.Itrainedyou,soIknowyou’reallgirl.Butyou’restillthetoughestchickIknow.”
“I’mtough,”Itellhim.
“Yeahyouare.Andnoonewouldeverseeitcoming.Whichisperfect.”
“Whythankyou.”
“Nowthatthat’sallsettled,whatshouldwedoforthenextcoupleofhours?”
“We’resupposedtodo“anything”youwantsoyou’lltellallyourfriends.Ialwaysforgetyou’rea

star.”

“I’mjustaguy,notastar.”

Butheis.Beforehejoinedthemilitary,Natewasthetopundergroundfighterinthecountry.Infact,

theUFCstillcallshimregularlytryingtogethimtojoin.Buthewon’t.SinceSelenegotfired,he’s
taughtallofus,buthewon’tfightanyoneoutsideofwhenhehelpsus.Peoplestillknowhisname,
though.I’vebeenwithhimwhenhe’sbeenstoppedforautographs.

“Okay,justaguy,tellmewhyyouwon’tgooutwithmybestfriend.”
Elliejustwentthere.Oneofusmightjustendupleavingherealittlebloody.IsitbadthatI’mglad

itwon’tbeme?

“Idon’tgooutwithanyone.Ifuckwomen.That’sall.”
“ThenfuckJade.”
“No.She’s…she’s…”
“Notprettyenough?Notsexyenough?What?”
“She’s perfect! There I said it. Are you happy? Jade is fucking gorgeous, and strong, and

everythingIwouldwantifIcouldletmyselfwantawomanthewayshedeservestobewanted.Ican’t
justfuckher.”

“You’reallshewants.”
“I’mthelastpersonsheshouldwant.I’dhurther.Inmorewaysthanone.”Herunshishandover

hisshortblackhairbeforewalkingbacktowardsthebedroom.“Dowhateveryouwantouthere.Ijust
needtobealone.”

Oncethedoorisclosed,Ellietakesoutherphone.“CallNate,”shesaysandthenhangsup.
“Youknowthatwon’tendwell.”
“Thebothdeservehappiness.”
“SodoyouandAiden.”
“Yeah,well,I’vegivenuphopethathe’lleverhelpmakethathappen.”
“Justdon’tgiveuponhim,Ellie.There’sstillhopeaslongasyoudon’tdothat.”
“I’lltry,WiseOne.I’lltry,”shesaysassherestsherheadonmyshoulder.
WeputontheTV,butspendmostofourtwohourstalking.AlthoughI’mclosestinagetoherand

Jade, we don’t hang out much. They’re not as wild as Stella and Tegan were, but they do go out
severalnightsaweek.I’malwaysinvitedtogooutwiththem—andeveryoneelse—butItendtostay
in.AudreyandIareclosebecausewe’rebothMaggie’sgirls,butwedon’thangouttoomuch,either.

Ijustfeeldifferentthanallofthem.BecauseIam.Nooneevermakesmefeelthatway,eventhough

I know it’s true. That’s why I would lay my life down for any one of them. And not even give it a
secondthought.

Whenourtime’sup,Natecomesoutofthebedroomtohugusgoodbye.“Sorry,Iwasanassladies.

Iloveyouboth,youknow.”

“Weknow,”Itellhim.
“Shecalledyou?”Ellieasks.
“Yeah.Sheshouldn’thave,butthanks.”
“JustmakesuretotellKurtweleftyouhappy,”shesays.
“AshappyasIcanbe,youmean.”
“Yeah,that.”
Ikisshimonthecheekandthenwewalkout.WhenwemeetupwithKurt,hetellsushealreadygot

atextsayingthatweexceededexpectations.Healsotellsuswe’veearnedaspotathispartynextweek.
Hesayswe’llgetallthedetailslater.Wepartatvaletagain.ThispartygivesmeabadfeelingthatI
can’tshake.IhopeIcanhandlewhateveritisthat’sgoingtohappenthere.

***

Mason

“No.Youcan’tgotohisparty.I’veheardabouttheseparties.”
Isaaskedmetocomeoverafterherlatestescapade.Shehasn’ttoldmeifshedidanything,butshe’s

beeningoodspirits,soI’mguessingshedidn’t.Idon’tthinkshecouldgetoutofsomethingatthe
party,though.

“How?Whenyoucametous,youactedlikeyoujusthadsuspicions,butnowyouseemtoknow

everything.”

“I-I knew when I came to you, okay? I didn’t want to say how much I knew because I was afraid

yourbosswouldthinkIwasinvolved.Butyou’veseenhowGraceiswithme.”

“Youshouldgonow.”
“What?I’mtryingtobehonestwithyou,andyou’rekickingmeout?”
“Isthisyoubeinghonest?Completelyhonest?”
“Yes.Itis.Ishouldn’thavehidthatIknewaboutit,butIdid.NowI’mtellingyouwhatIshould’ve

toldyouthen.”

“Icanhandlethatyouknewifthat’sallyou’vekeptfromme.That’sit,right?”
“Yes.Iswear.”
ThatjustsealedmyfateinHell.Fuckingsealedit.Butaguy’sgottadowhathe’sgottado.AndI

likebreathing.

“Iloveyou,Mas-Jake.Jake.Iloveyou,Jake.I’veneversaidthosewordstoanyoneinaromantic

waybefore.Theymeansomethingtome.”

“Theymeaneverythingtomewhenyousaythem,Isa.”Iwon’tsaythatI’veneversaidthembefore,

because I have. I’ve never meant them before, though. “I love you so much it hurts. Always know
that.”

“Whyareyousayingitlikethat?Likewe’redoomed?ThisiswhyI’mworried.”
Wearedoomed.“I’msorry.Ijustkeepthinkingthatyou’regoingtorealizeI’mnottheguyyou

want.”

“Well,Igaveyoumyheartandbody.Idon’tknowwhatelseIcandotoshowyou.”
“Nothing.You’reperfect,Isa.Sodamnperfect.IjustknowIdon’tdeserveyou.”
“Well,you’vegotme.Sodon’tscrewthisup.Asfortheparty,Ihavetogo.Thismaybemychance

tofindoutwho’sgivingKurthisorders.”

“Didhetellyouabouttheparty?”
“No.JustthatEllieandIareinvitedtoit.”
“Idon’tknowmuchaboutEllie,butsheseemslikeshecouldhandleit.”
“AndyouthinkIcan’t?”
“Idon’twantyoutohaveto.”
“Justtellmewhatyouknow.”
ThisIcandoforher.AndifwhatItellherhelpsbringitalldown,thenthat’swhathastohappen.

“Kurt’sbossopensuphishomeeverymonthforaspecialparty.Themenwhoattendallhavebank
accountslargeenoughtobid.Inthesevenfigures,ifnecessary.”

“Bid?”
“Yes. The men wait in the guesthouse at the mansion. The girls all hang out in the Great Room

downstairs in the main house. In only lingerie and heels. The men start bidding on who they want.
They have ten minutes to bid for each girl, and the highest bidder wins. The man goes up a back
staircasetoadesignatedroom,andthegirlmeetshimthere.Hegetsthatgirlforthenight.Theentire
night.”

“Wow.”

“NowyouknowwhyIdon’twantyouthere.Youcan’tjustknocksomeoneoutforafewhoursand

escape.”

“Ihavetodoit.”
“Iknow,”Isay,runningmyhandsovermyface.“Idon’thavetolikeit,though.”
“Willyouspendthenightbeforewithme?”
“Yes,Isa.OfcourseIwill.”
Sheclimbsonmylapandstartskissingmyneck.“Staywithmethisweekend,too.Allweekend.”
“Allweekend,huh?You’renotgoingtogetsickofme?”
“Never.”
I’vealreadygotthatreservedplaceinHell,soofcourseIstay.Ikissherandshowhermylove.I

makelovetoherandsaythewordswebothneedmetotellher.Iwatchmovieswithherandholdonto
herasweeat.Theendiscoming,andmylifeisabouttobeover,evenifI’mstillbreathingafterthis
week.

CHAPTER9

Isa

I’dbelyingifIsaidIwasn’tworriedaboutthepartytonight.ReinaandAinsleyhavebeentryingto

figureoutawaytogetEllieandmeoutofthemansionwe’regoingto,butthey’vebeenunsuccessful
sofar.I’msurprisedwhentheknockatmydoorturnsouttobeMaggieGriffin.

“Maggie,hi.”
“Hi,Isa.MayIcomein?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Iwantedtoseehowyou’redoing.Ihaven’tbeendoingtoomuchmentoringonthismission.I’m

sorryaboutthat.”

“You’rebusy.Iunderstand.”
“Nottoobusyforyou.Ineedyoutoknowthatyoucancallme,andI’lldoeverythingIcantohelp

you.Always.”

“Idoknowthat.”
“Yetyouhaven’tcalled.”
“Alexjustgotmarried,andOlivia’shavingthebabysoon.”
“WhicharebothhappyeventsthatIdon’thavemuchtodowith.”Iraiseaneyebrowather.“Okay,

I’mveryinvolvedwithmychildrenandgrandchildren,butyou’repartofmyfamily,too.Sotellme
allaboutMasonWells.”

“You’remyfamilytoo,andIshouldmemoreinvolvedwitheveryone.Ipromisetocallmore.As

forMase,he’swonderful.Istillcan’tbelievehewantstobewithme.”

“Whywouldn’the?You’rebeautifulinsideandoutaswellasbeingsmarterthanhim.You’requite

the catch, and it’s time you started realizing that. I know your parents are difficult, and we’ve been
guilty of keeping you closer than the other girls as well. But you’re one of the strongest, and best
we’vegot.Neverforgetthat.”

“Thankyou.”
“It’sthetruth,Isa.There’snoneedtothankmeforpointingoutthetruth.”
“I-I…nevermind.”
“Tellme.Youcantellmeanything.”
I realize that I need to tell her. I want to tell someone, and she’s the one who recruited me. “I

sometimes—lotsoftimes,actually—feellikeI’mlessthantheothers.”

“Inwhatway?”
“I’mquieter.AndIdon’tgoout.Ordressup.Idon’tlikeattention.”
“Doyouknowhowmanyfamouspeopleareintroverts?”
“IknowEinsteinwas.ButI’mlikehim.”
“Yes, you are. You’re brilliant. There’s no doubt about that. But I’m talking about Julia Roberts,

EmmaWatson,DianeSawyer,EleanorRoosevelt,andAudreyHepburn.Womenwhohavehadabig
impactontheworld.Justlikeyou.Youmaybequiet,andliketoblendin,butyouarealsobraveand

yourlightshinesevenwhenyoutrytohideit.Yourfriendsloveandadmireyouformorethanyour
brain,andsodoI.”

I’m crying and she reaches out to hold me. “I needed that more than you know. Thank you for

believinginme.”

“Ialwayshave,andIalwayswill.Youcanbesureofthat.”
We talk for another half hour, but then it’s time for Ellie and me to get ready for tonight. We’re

doingithere,though,sinceKurtandhisminionsshouldbetoobusysettingeverythinguptoworry
about where we are beforehand. Maggie and I head up to Stella’s apartment. Helen and Ellie are
alreadythere,buttheytellusthey’vejustarrived.Stellatakesusuptoherdressingroomtoshowus
thelingeriesheboughtforus.

Ellie’s going to be wearing a corset—of course—and a teeny tiny pair of boy shorts that show

mostofherass.She’llalsobeinthighhighshinybooks.They’redefinitelygoingforthedominatrix
lookasStellabringsoutastuddedcollarandbraceletsforhertoaddtotherestofherallblackoutfit.
Theydoherhairinbigcurls,andshe’smadeuptolooklikeaBarbiedollcometolife.Asexed-up
Barbie,butnolessofadoll.

Thenit’smyturn.IseewhatStellagotme,butIshakemyhead.“No.Idon’twanttolookinnocent

tonight.I’mquiet,butI’mstrong.”

Shesmilesandhereyeslightup.“Iknowyouare,Isa.AndIwashopingyou’dsaythatsoIgota

secondoutfitforyou.”

Thelingerieshepullsoutishotpinkwithblackaccents,anddefinitelynotinnocent.It’salaceand

satinpushupbrawithallkindsofblackandpinkstrapscrossingaboveandbelowit.Thebottomsare
athongwithasheerblackskirtoverthetopwhichcoversalmostnothing.Therearematchingblack
stockingswithlaceatthetop,andshegotmehotpinkheelsthatIcouldkillsomeonewithifIhadto.
WhenIputitallon,everyonejuststaresforaminute.Ellieisthefirsttorecover.

“Damngirl.You’redefinitelygettingthehighestbid,andyourhairandmake-uparen’tevendone

yet.”

Ismileandthankher.Stelladoesmyhairincurlsaswell,butputssomeupontopofmyhead.The

make-upisthickerthanI’veeverwornit,butitfitswiththelook.Stellaspraysusbothalloverwith
glitterspray,andthenEllieandIslipcoatson.Wegetintoourseparatecars,andheadtotheparty.I
hopewe’rereallyreadyforwhateveritwillbring.

MyfirstimpressionwhenI’mallowedpasttheguardgateatthemansionisthatthisringismaking

moremoneythatwethought.Becausethisplaceishuge.LikeBruceWaynebig.Ileavemycarwith
theprivatevaletandwalktothedoor,Ellieafewstepsaheadofme.

Kurt told us the clients would already be here by the time we arrive. He also told us that no

electronicsareallowedinsideofthehouse.Mostofthemenwhoattendthepartiesareparanoidabout
blackmailthreats,sowhiletherearecamerasfilmingallofusdownstairs,therearenoneanywhere
else.Theyallowthementohavetheirsecurityteamssweepthehousewhentheyarrive.Inreturn,the
menhavenothingwiththembuttheclothesontheirback.Kurthashisphone,buthehastoleavethe
houseoncethelastofusis“won.”Secrecyisparamount,whichisalittlefrighteningifyou’reoneof
thewomen.Themencoulddoanything,andnoonewouldhearyouscreamasthebedroomshaveben
soundproofed.

Kurttakesmycoatandwhistlesatme.“TryingforahighbidIsee.Iknewyouwereagoodpick.”
IrollmyeyesandfollowhimintotheGreatRoom.Ellie,Max,Grace,andsixothergirlsI’veseen

around school, but never talked to, are in the room already. Kurt doesn’t introduce us, he just says
they’rehisgotogirls.EllieandMaxgivemesmallsmiles,whileeveryoneelseglaresatme.Iwanted
attentiontonight,andI’mgettingit.

It’sprettyboringatfirst.Wejustwalkorloungearound,tryingtolooksexybutnotobvious.About

fifteenminutesin,thingsstarttohappen.Kurtcallsoutanameandaroomnumber.Oneofthe“goto
girls” goes up the staircase. It continues on until I’m the only one left. Kurt’s watching his phone
anxiously for a few minutes, and then he smiles. “You just got the highest bid ever, Isabelle. Go to
roomtenandhavesomefun.”

Iwalkupthestairsonlegsthatarealittleshaky.Ihavetotakeseveraldeepbreathsbeforewalking

inside. The man stands in the shadows until I close the door. Once it’s shut, he steps out and relief
floodsmybody.

“Ryan,”Isay,runningintoRyanGriffin’soutstretchedarms.
“Hey,Isa.Putthison.”
Hetakesoffhissuitjacketandputsitonme.“Thankyou.Forthecoat…andthis.”
“Ofcourse.Mymomhadmeregisterwiththisexclusiveclubacoupleofweeksago.Ittooksome

timetogetapproved.Infact,theapprovaljustcamethroughtoday,alongwiththepartyinvitation.I
wasalittleworriedthatIwouldn’tbeabletohelpyou.”

“Butyoudid.I’llpayyouback,youknow.”
“Nah.AinsleyandScottaregoingtogetourmoneyback.Butiftheycouldn’t,it’dbeokay.You’re

family,andIalwaystakecareofmyfamily.Eventhebadasssecretagentones.”

“Our?Didsomeoneelsehavetochipin?”
“Oh.No.ImeantNateandAiden’smoney.”
“They’rehere?ThankGod.TheygotEllieandMax?”
“Yeah.AidenboughtEllie,andNateboughtyourfriend,Max.”
“Someoneshould’veboughtGrace.Shethinksshewantsthis,butshe’sjustreallymessedup.”
“Wecouldn’tgetanyoneelseapprovedsoquickly,orwewould’veboughtthemall.I’msorry.”
“Don’tbe.Youdidwhatyoucould.”
“There’ssomethingelse,though.Kurt’sbossmetwithNate,Aiden,andmebeforethebiddingto

welcomeusandgoovereverything.”

“Soyouknowwhoitis?ThankGod.Iamsoreadyforthistobeover.”
“Isa.Youshouldsitdown.”
“It’sthatbad?”
“Yeah,honey.Itis.”
“What?Who?”Iask,mystomachsinking.
“It’sMasonWells.He’sbehindallofthis.”
“No,”Itellhim,backinguptowardsthedoor.“No.”
“Aidensaidyou’vebeenwithhimforthepastseveralweeks.”
Inod.“No.PleaseGodno.It’samistake.Maybeitjustlookslikehim.”
“Iwishitwasamistake.Ireallydo.Buthetoldushisname.Hesaiditwasallinthenameoffull

disclosurebetweeneveryone.”

IfalltomykneesandRyancomesovertopullmeintohisarms.“I’mgoingtothrowup.”
He picks me up and carries me to the bathroom, holding my hair as I do just that. Once there’s

nothingleftinmystomach,hegrabsawashclothandhelpsmecleanup.Thenhepicksmebackup
andsetsmeonthesink,handingmeatoothbrushandtoothpaste.

“Iprobablyshouldn’ttellyouthathelookedlikehewantedtokillmewhenIwon.”
“Ifhelovedme,hewouldn’thavesoldmetoyou.”
“Ican’targuewiththat.”
“Wecan’tdoanythinguntiltomorrow,soIwouldreallyjustliketosleep.”
“Ofcourse.I’lltakethefloor.”

“Ryan,thatbedisbigenoughfortenpeople.Andyou’relikemybrother.Abrotherwho’smadlyin

lovewithhiswifeandwouldnevercheatonher.Youcantakeaside.”

“Thanks. I wouldn’t, you know. Cheat on Chloe, I mean. This was just for show. She knows I’m

here.”

“Iwasneverworried.”
Wetakeoursides,andItrytosleep.Ican’t,though.AllIcanthinkaboutishowMaseorJakeor

whoever the hell he is, told me he wasn’t keeping anything from me. But also how it felt like a
goodbyealmosteverytimeIwaswithhim.AndIwasjustwithhimyesterday.

Hecameoverandstayedwithmelikehepromisedhewould.Healsoaskedmeafewweeksagoif

all the Griffins were involved in the Foundation. I lied to him then, and I’m glad for that now. He
wouldneverhaveletRyaninifhe’dknown.Whatelsedidhelietomeabout?

Love.That’swhatelse.There’snowayhecouldhaveletmegooutthosetwoothertimesorhad

mehereupforbidifhelovedme.Yes,hetriedtotellmenottocomeheretonight,buthecould’ve
stoppeditonhisend.Hedidn’t.Heletmebeboughtbythehighestbidder.

ImakesuretobequietasIcryallnight.QuietiswhatIdobest,afterall.Lookwhathappenedwhen

Itriedtoputmyselfoutthereforonce.Myheartjustgotshatteredintoamillionpieces.Ishould’ve
letsomeoneelsehavethismission,andjuststayedquiet.Toolateforthatnow,though.BecauseI’m
goingtotakedownMasonWells,andtakehimdownhard.

***

Mason

I’m going insane. Like seriously insane. Isa—my Isa—is up in one of those bedrooms with Ryan

fucking Griffin. He’s got a beautiful wife and a little daughter, but it’s not enough. It never is for
powerful men like him. Which is why we’re making so much money here. I don’t care about the
moneyrightnow.Iwanttorunuptothatroom,andpullheroutofhisarms,butmybosswouldkill
me. I know that without a doubt. So I’m just sitting here in the guest house drinking enough to get
buzzed,butnotstupiddrunk,andthinkingofwhatthatbastardisdoingtothewomanIlove.

ThewomanIbetrayed.Ican’thidemuchlonger.She’sgettingtooclose.IfshetookKurtin,he’d

breakundereventhehintoftorture.Heknowsourbossisbad,buthedoesn’tknowjusthowscared
heshouldbe.Iknow,andthat’swhyIhaven’ttoldIsathethingsIshouldhave.Thethingssheneedsto
know. I could give her enough to bring down everything, but I’m a coward. I’m too scared for my
ownlifetodotherightthing.

So instead of helping her, I’ve let her be bought and sold over the last few weeks. And then I’ve

goneoverafterwardstomakelovetoher.Orfuckher,dependingonwhatshe’ssaidsheneeds.Who
doesthat?Ohyeah,me.

Iwouldn’thavetoldLukeifI’dknownthathewasconnectedtothefamous“Society.”Iwashaving

acasuallunchconversationwithhimandhisfriendsNikkiandMichelleatthattrainingday.Ithought
itwouldbefuntoshockthem.Turnedoutthejokewasonme.EspeciallywhenIsawalkedintothe
room.Ishouldhavekeptthingsprofessional.Iplannedtokeepthemthatway.

Butthensheaskedmetokissher.AndIhadto.Everythinginmewascallingoutforherlips.That

onekisscondemnedme,andwhenshegavemeeverythingelse,Iknewitwasover.Iwasn’tkidding
aboutthatreservedspotinHellbeingsavedforme.I’mjustnotsurewhenI’llbeusingit.Ionlyknow
thatit’sprobablygoingtobesoon.

Iwatchthesuncomeup,andIstartgettingthealertsthatthe“guests”areleaving.Withinthehour,

the girls are all gathered in the Great Room again. I sit up straight when I see Isa crying. What the

fuckdidthatbastarddotoher?I’mgoingtokillhim.Iswearhe’sadeadman.

A few minutes after I watch her leave the house, I get a text from her asking me to come over. I

immediately tell her yes. I go into the bathroom and splash water on my face, and then change my
clothes.Thegirlsthinkthe“boss”livesinthemainhouse,butthisiswhereIreallylive.Idon’tneed
fancybecauseI’mnotdoingthisforthemoney.

IknowKurt,andprobablyGrace,arestillonthegroundssoIforcemyselftowalkslowlytomy

car.Ishoulddebriefwithhim,butitcanwait.Hecanwait.Fuck,allofthemcanwait.Isaneedsme,
andshe’sallthatmatters.Evenifthoughtslikethatarewhat’sgoingtogetmekilled.

CHAPTER10

Isa

ThebastardwhoIgaveeverythingIhavetoisonhiswayovertomyplace.Myfirstkiss,myfirst

lover,myfirstlove.Hetookitall,andgavemeliesinreturn.Iwanttocurlintoalittleballandcry,
butIwon’tgivehimthat,too.I’mgoingtodestroyhim,andonlythenwillIletmyselffeelthehurt.

I’mnotsurprisedtofindReinainmyapartmentwhenIgetthere.“Tellmewhattodo,Rei.”
“Hecan’tknowyouknowyet.”
What?“Youcan’texpectmetopretendI’mstillinlovewithhim.”
“Youarestillinlovewithhim,Isa.Feelingslikethatdon’tjustgoaway.Believeme,Iknowthat

fromexperience.”

“Fine.Ilovehim.ButIcan’tbewithhim.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to do that. He thinks you spent the night with Ryan. Tell him you can’t sleep

withhim.He’llunderstand,oratleastpretendto.”

“What’swrongwithme,Reina?”
“Nothing,Isa.Absolutelynothingiswrongwithyou.”
“Ibelievedhim.He’sbeenlyingtomeallthistimeaboutwhohereallyis.Thatmeansheliedwhen

hesaidIwasbeautiful…andthathelovedme.”

“Ican’tanswerthat,becauseIhonestlydon’tknowifeverythingwasalie.”
“I’msuchafool.”
“Hefooledusall.Weshould’vedoneabackgroundcheckonhim,evenifhedidcometous.Iwas

justgladtohaveanally,soIdroppedtheballonthis.”

“Hewasjustthatgood,wasn’the?”
“Yes,hewas.Wejustneedalittlemoreinformation,andthenwe’llgethimIsa.ImeantitwhenI

saidthatIdon’twantyoutodoanythingyou’renotcomfortablewith,butIwantAinsleyandTeganto
digdeep,becauseafterhearingwhoelsewasbiddingtonight,I’mworriedthatthisgoesbiggerthan
Vegas.”

“Youthinkthereareothercitieswiththesameset-up?”
“Yes.I’lltakeKurtandMasondownifthey’reallwecanget,butI’dliketotryformore.”
“Okay.Icanpretendifitmeanssavingsomemorepeople.”
“We’lldothisasfastaswecan.Ipromise.”
“Iknowyouwill.MaybeIcangetsomeinfofromhim.”AndthenIrealizeIhavesomething.“He

askedmetocallhimJake.”

“Jake?”
“Yeah.Hesaidhisgoodfriendscallhimthatbecausehedoesn’tlikehisname.”
“I’llletthegirlsknow.AndIwon’ttellyounottotryandgetmoreinformation,becauseweneedit.

Butdon’tputyourselfinjeopardy.Wedon’tknowanythingabouttheotherswhomightbeinvolved.”

“I’llbecareful.”
“Okay.Loveyou.”
“Loveyou,too.”

Sheopensthedoorandliterallyrunsintohim.“Ohsorry,Reina.”
“Notaproblem,Mason.Takecareofourgirl.”
“Iplanto.”
Itrytosmile,butIjustcan’t.IguessthatwillworkwithhimthinkingRyanravishedmeallnight.

“Youmadeithereprettyfast.”

“Iwassoworried.Areyouokay?Imean,ofcourseyou’renotokay.But…God,Isa…Iwishyou

didn’thavethejobyoudo.”

Sometruthfromhim.Well,isn’tthatrefreshing.“Ilovemyjob.”
“Evenwhenyouhavetodowhatyoudidlastnight?”
“Eventhen.Idon’twanttotalkaboutlastnightrightnow.Orever,maybe.”
“Ofcourse.I’msorry.WhatcanIdo?I’lldoanythingyouneedmeto.”
No,hewon’t.BecauseIneedhimtotakebackallthelieshetoldme,andtellmewhat’sreallytrue.

Reinaneedstime,though,soIhavetobethestrongwomaneveryonetellsmeIam.

“Ineedyoutohelpmewashofflastnight.Iwantitscrubbedfrommyskin.”
Audreytaughtmetoinfusesometruthinmyacting,andwhatIsaidwastrue.Myworldimploded

lastnight.Justnotforthereasonhethinksitdid.Icanseeonhisfacethathewantstoaskmewhat
happened,buthestopshimself.

“Dammit,Isa.Iwanttokillhim.Youdon’tknowhowmuchIwanttokillhim.”
“Youdon’tevenknowwhoitis.”
Helooksmestraightintheeye,andliesagain.“That’strue.Butifyouknowhisname,I’llfindhim.

Iswearit.”

“It’s over now. I mean, yeah, I did things with him that we’d never done, but I’ll get over it.

Eventually.”

AnothertruthdishedoutbecauseI’veneversleptinabedwiththemanbeforemewhereweweren’t

touching.Evenwhenhe’sjustsleptwithme,healwaysholdsme.Andyes,IdidsayitthewayIdidto
get a reaction from him. Even though I know he doesn’t really care about me. He only cares about
whetherIcanputhiminjailornot.

“Whatdidyoudo?”heasks,andforamomentIbelieveheisreallyjealousandangry.
“IsaidIcan’ttalkaboutit.Ireallyneedashower.Youcanhelpme…orgoifyoucan’tbewithme.”
“I’mnotleaving.AndofcourseIwanttobewithyou.”
“You’renotdisgustedthatIwaswithsomeoneelse?Ibasicallycheated.”
“Icouldneverbedisgustedwithyou,”hesaysashecupsmyfacewithhishands.“Iloveyou.You

didn’twanttobewiththeotherguy,soit’snotcheating.Youhadajobtodo.IalreadytoldyouIhate
yourjob,butIcouldneverhateyou.”

“Stop.Juststop,”IyellasIruntomybathroom.MaybeIcan’tpretend,becauseIalmostbelieved

whathejustsaidtome.Almost.

“Isa,ohGod.Don’tcry.Pleasedon’tcry.”
“Ican’ttalkrightnow.Iwanttojustbeclean,andthengotosleep.”
“Wecandothat.Icandothat.Let’sgetyoucleanedupandthenI’lltuckyouin.”
Ilethimhelpmeoutofmyclothes,andGodhelpme,butIwatchhimtakehisoff,too.Reinawas

right.Ican’tjustturnoffthelove,orthelust.Heturnsontheshower,andusestheremotetoturnoff
thelights.

“Youdon’twanttolookatme?”
“Ido.Soverymuch.ButIthoughtmaybeyouneededthelightsoff.”
He’sdoingeverythingright.Everythingarealboyfriendwoulddo.Why?Whyishedoingthisto

me?I’mquiet,butI’mnotpathetic.Iknowthat.Sowhyishepretendingtocare?Idon’tknowifI’ll
everfindout,butIneedtoknow.

“Thankyou.”
Hekissesmelightlyonthemouth,andthenleadsmeintotheshower.Istandthereandlethimwash

me up. He’s still trying for that Boyfriend of the Year award as he gently scrubs every inch of my
bodyfromfeettoforehead.Healsowashesandconditionsmyhair.I’mcryingbythetimehe’sdone.
He’s right to think it’s because of what happened last night. Because the fact that he sold me to the
highestbidder,andisnowpretendingtocherishme,istearingmeupinside.Andwhenhepullsme
intohisarmstoholdmetight,I’mdone.There’snothingleftofme.

I barely notice as he dries me off, and carries me to my bed. I let him kiss me softly for a few

minutesbeforeIturnmyhead.Hecontinuestokissmycheek,andforehead,untilIturntomyside
becauseIhonestlycan’ttakeitanymore.

“I’msorry.Ididn’tmeantopush.”
“Youdidn’t.Ijustneedtosleep.”
“CanIsleepwithyou?”
No.“Yes.Ofcourse.”
“Iloveyou,Isa.”
I pretend that I’m asleep so I don’t have to answer him. Because he doesn’t deserve to ever hear

thosewordsfrommeagain,andI’lldoeverythingIcantoavoidsayingthem.Heliesdowncloseto
me,butdoesn’ttouchme.IguessnowIamdoingwithhimwhatIdidwithRyanlastnight.That’smy
lastthoughtbeforeIsuccumbtothesleepmybodyneeds.

***

Mason

I’vebeenangrybeforeinmylife,butneverlikethis.It’slikearedhazeiscloudingmyvision,and

I’monthevergeofcommittingmurder.Isa’ssobroken,andRyanGriffinneedstopayfordoingthis
toher.Iwishshe’dtellmeexactlywhathedid,butthenagainmaybeit’sbetterthatshedoesn’t.

I’mjustaboutdonewiththedinnerI’mcookingforherwhenIhearhercomedownstairs.Iturnto

giveherthebestsmileIcan.“Didyougetenoughsleep,babe?Dinnerisalmostready.”

“Isleptsurprisinglywell.Youdidn’thavetocookmedinner,Jake.”
She looks genuinely shocked that I did this for her. Oh God. Does she think I don’t love her

anymore?Didhebreakherthatbadly?Deathmaynotbeagoodenoughpunishmentforhim.

“Iloveyou,Isa.Thathasn’tchanged.”
“Areyousure?Imean,doyoureallyloveme?”
“Yes. I really love you. More than I thought I could love another person. I told you that. You’re

everythingtome.”

She bursts out crying, and I start to go to her but she stops me. “You should go. I-I can’t do this

rightnow.”

“You’rescaringme.Idon’twantyoutobealone.”
Awarenessdawnsonherface.“YouthinkI’dhurtmyself?”
Ireluctantlynod.Iamafraidofthat.Shereallydoesseembroken,andfragilerightnow.
“I’mnotgoingtohurtmyselfoveryou,Mason.”
Overme?What?Oh.“Youreallydon’tbelieveme.Areyoubreakingupwithme?”
Sheshakesherhead.“No.Butcoulditevenbethat?We’venevergivenwhatwe’redoinganame.”
“You need a name for this?” She shrugs and I know she does. “You’re my girlfriend, Isabelle

Carlton.”

“Yousoundlikeyoumeanit.”

“Idomeanit.Whateverhappenedwiththatguylastnightdoesn’tmattertome.Itdoesn’tchange

anythingbetweenus.”

“I-Ijustneedtothink.Pleasegivemesometimetothink.I’llseeyouatschooltomorrow,okay?”
I don’t want to leave. Walking out of her apartment is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And I’ve

donesomeprettyintensethings.Butshewants,orneeds,tobealone,andI’llneverdenyheranything.
Iputontherestofmyclothes,andkisshergoodbye,thinkingthatitfeelstoomuchlikeforever.

I’mhomeforlessthanfiveminuteswhenthefirstphonecallcomesin.
“Hello.”
“Congratulations,Mason.Lastnightwasourmostprofitableever.”
“Itwasgreat.”
“And this Isabelle girl? I think we should move her around. Weekend trips to the other cities for

parties.”

OhFuckno.“No.She’sdoingverywellformehere.”
“Andshe’lldoevenbetterinsomeofourothermarkets.Thosebigeyescombinedwiththesexy

lingerieisabigmoneymaker.Ialmostbidonherlastnight.”

“You’rehereinVegas?”
“No.ButIcould’vebeen.”
“YoujustsaidImadeyouatonofmoney.Leavemeandmygirlsalone.”
“Did you just try to give me an order? Are you forgetting that I own you? That I have enough

evidenceagainstyoutosendyoutojailforyears?”

“Ihaven’tforgotten.”
“ThenbringIsabelletoMilwaukeenextweekend.”
“No.”
“Yes, Mason. Either you bring her, or I’ll send a couple of the guys with her. I’d have to remind

themnottomarkherupontheplaneride,butthey’dbehappytodowhatIask.”

That red fog I’ve been seeing has turned into a full blown storm. There is no way in Hell I’m

letting any of his “guys” put their hands or anything else near Isa. “I’ll bring her.” I won’t, but he
doesn’tneedtoknowthatyet.

OnceI’moffthephonewithhim,Igettheothercall.Thatonedoesn’tgowell,either.IknowI’min

bigtrouble,butI’mnotreallycaringaboutit.Ishouldbe,butallIcanthinkaboutisprotectingIsa.
That’smybiggestpriority.Myonlypriority.Iknowshecantakecareofherself,butshedoesn’tknow
howbigthisis,orhowbadthemanIworkforis.

Theotherpersonwhocalledmeisn’tmuchbetter,butatleastheworksformymother.Hecan’t

pushmetoofarunlesshewantstodealwithher.Andnoonewantstoeverdealwithherwhenshe’s
onthewarpath.Whichiswhywealltryandstayonhergoodside.

I spend the rest of the day planning. I’ve had an exit strategy for myself, but now I need to also

protectIsabeforeIdisappear.Itakeoutthephonethat’sonlyforemergencies.Theonethatnoone
knowsIhave.Well,onepersonknows,andthat’swhoIcallnow.

Itringsinaweirdway,butIknowthat’sbecausetheline’sbeingscrambled.“Jake,you’reusingthe

phone.Whathappened?”

“Ineedyourhelp,Mom.”
“Why?Again,whathappened?”
“Ifellinlove.”
“Tellmeeverything.”

CHAPTER11

Isa

EllieandJadecomeoverassoonasMase/Jakeleaves.Theyhaveicecream,andtheIndianaJones

andTombRaidermovieswiththem.Ilaugh,andhugthemtight.Ithoughtnoonesawme,butthey
broughtmejustwhatIneed.

“Hewashereallday?”Ellieasks.
“Yeah.Itwashard.”
“Did you have to…you know? I mean, it’s none of our business, so you don’t have to say,” Jade

tellsme.

“You’remyfriendsandI-Iwanttotellyou.IknowIusuallykeepeverythingin,andI’msorry.”
“Nothingtobesorryfor.Youdon’tneedtobeloudandinyourfacelikeus.Weloveyoutheway

youare.”

“Thanks,Ellie.Iloveyouguys,too.Eventhoughyoucanbealittlescarysometimes.”
“ElandIareonlylikethatwithotherpeople.We’vegotyourback,Isa.Always,”Jadetellsme.
“Thanks.Toansweryourquestion,wedidn’tsleeptogether.Itwasevenworse,though.”
“Worse,how?”Jadeasks.
“Hetookcareofme.WhenIsaidIneededashower,heturnedoffthelightsandscrubbedevery

inchofme.Thenhewashedmyhair.AllbecausehethoughtRyanmademedo…things.”

“He loves you. I don’t think he lied about that. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when we’re at

school.He’sadirtybastard,buthelovesyou.”

“Hekeptsayingit.LikeheknewIdidn’tbelievehim,andhadtoconvinceme.Butifhelovedme,

hewouldn’thavesoldmetothehighestbidderlastnight.”

“Ain’tthatthetruth.Hemayloveyou,butheloveshismoneyevenmore,”Jadesays.
“Andthat’swhywe’renotgoingtotalkabouthimanymore.IneedjustonedaytobeanoMason

WellszonesoIcanbereadytofacehimagainonMonday.”

“Let’stalkaboutEllieandAidenaloneinaroomallnight.Whileshewaswearingalmostnothing.”
“Hegavemetheonenight,”shesayssuddenly.
“Gaveyou…youmean?OhmyGod,El.”
“Yeah,J.IthinkIdidseeGodlastnight.Butthat’sit.Hetoldmehecouldn’tresistme,butithadto

beforjustlastnight.”

“Shit.Thatsucks.”
“Andshedidtoo,I’msure,”Isayandthencovermymouthastheybothburstoutlaughing.
“WhyyesIdid,mylittleharlotintraining.”
“Damn,Isa.We’rerubbingoffonyou.Ilikeit,”Jadesays.
“Seriously,though.Areyouokay,Ellie?Iknowyouwantmorethansexfromhim.”
“Yeah,Ido.Especiallyafterlastnight.Imean,Iknewit’dbehotwithhim,butthatmanhasskills

no one I’ve ever been with could even come close to matching. I’m surprised we didn’t burn the
housedown.”

“Hewasnicetoyou?”Iask.

“OhsweetlittleIsa,hegaveherthebestfuckofherlife.That’svery,verynice.”
ElliethrowsapillowatJadebeforeansweringmyquestion.“Yes,hewasnicetome.Asmybestie

overtheresoeloquentlyputit,hegavemethebestfucksofmylife.Plural.Butitwasn’tallroughand
hard.Hemadelovetomeslowandsweet,too.Andwhenhewhisperedmyname,andcuddledwith
me…well,Icoulddiehappynow.”

“Youcuddled?SilentandscaryAidenFordcuddledwithyou?”
“Yeahhedid.”
Ellie looks like she might cry, and that jars me. These women who I always think of as stronger

than me, are actually just like me in some ways. I’ve spent too much time hiding when I should’ve
been getting to know them better. And even though I’ve kept to myself, they came right over to
comfortmebecausetheyknewIneededit.

“It’snotover,Ellie.Ifyou’refeelinglikethis,Ibetheis,too.Hecan’thavebeenwithyoulikethat

andnotfeltsomething.”

“I know he cares for me, Isa. That’s what makes it harder. If I was just a random fuck, I could

probablyhandlethisbetter.ButI’mnot.WhenIwalkedintotheroomlastnight,hepulledmeintohis
arms,andheldmetight.Hetoldmethathe’dalmostlostinthebiddingwar,andhewould’vehadto
killthewinnerifthathadhappened.”

“Thenyouneedtostepitup.HaveStellashortenyourskirtsevenmorethanshedoesnow.Wear

yourdamncorsetseveryday.Flaunttheotherguysinfrontofhimattheclubs.Whateverittakesto
showhimwhathe’smissing.”

“No,Jade.Sheneedstodotheopposite.Sheneedstobecomeme.”
“What?”
Elliesitsup,hereyessparkling.“She’sright.OhmyGod,she’sfuckingright.I’vedonetheskirts,

corsets,andotherguys.Itdidn’twork.That’swhatheexpectsfromme.Thetrifectadidn’tnickname
me‘Brass’becausetheythinkI’msweetorsmart.Sothat’swhatI’mgoingtobe.I’mgoingtostillbe
sexy,butmorelikeIsaandReina.Understatedandclassysexy.Andnomoregoingtothebars.Bythe
timeIfigureoutawaytogethimaloneagain,Iwanthimsoconfusedandworkedupthathecan’t
helpbutgivein.”

“IloveyouenoughtoignorethatyouinadvertentlysaidIwasn’tclassy,”Jadetellsher.
“You,Stella,andAudreyarethesexpots.Youcan’thelpit.Thethreeofyouexudesexappealno

matterwhatyouwear.There’snothingwrongwithyouplayingitup.”

“Natethinksthereis.”
“Nateeyefucksyoueverytimeyou’reinrange.”
“Iwantacockfuck,notaneyefuck,fromthatsexybeastofaman.”
“We’llthinkofsomething,”Itellher.
Therestofthenightisspentwatchingmovies,paintingournails,andeatingjunkfood.WhenItell

themthatthiswasmyfirstsleepover,theycallalltheothergirlswhoaren’tonmissions,andwedoit
all again Sunday. With an added fashion show courtesy of Stella, of course. I’m not alone with my
thoughtsforevenaminute,andIappreciatewhatthey’vedoneformemorethanthey’lleverknow.

***

Mason

MyMomisnotyourordinarymother,sowespentmanyhoursonSundaytryingtofigureouta

wayformetoescapethesituationI’veputmyselfin.Theproblemis,manyofhersolutionsincluded

me sacrificing Isa. I know she’s a trained spy, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to throw her to the
wolves.

“Whynot,Jake?Sheknewtheriskswhenshewentundercover.”
“Shedidn’tknowthiswasanationalmission,andyouknow‘whynot.’”
“Fallinginlovewithheriswhatputyouinthisposition.”
“Soyou’dgiveDaduptosaveyourself?”
There’ssilenceontheotherendoftheline,andIknowI’vegother.“YouknowIwouldn’t.”
“Thenhowcanyouaskmetodothesametoher?”
“Youloveherthatmuch?”
“IloveherwitheverythingIhaveinme.Mostofwhichisdarkandugly.I’mashamedofwhatI’ve

hadtodo.”

“Don’t.Don’tyoudaretalkaboutmybabylikethat.”
“Ihaven’tbeenababyforalongtime.”
“You’llalwaysbemybaby.”
“YouknowthethingsI’vedone.”
“Youdidn’talwayshaveachoice,Jake.”
“There’salwaysachoice.Youtaughtmethat.”
“Iloveyou,kiddo.Youknowthat,right?”
“Ido.AndIloveyou,too.NowgohugDadforme.”
“We’llfigurethisout.”
“I’llfigurethisout.Ishouldn’thavecalledyou.”
“I’mgoingtobetalkingtosomepeople.”
“Mom…don’tjeopardizeyourself.OrIsa.Promiseme.Please.”
“Iwon’t,butIwillbetalkingtosomepeopleaboutwhat’sgoingtohappenwhenwegetyououtof

this.”

“I’dtellyounotto.Again.ButIknowyou’lljustdowhatyouwant.”
“Iwill,”shetellsmewithachuckle.“I’lltalktoyousoon.”
“Yeah.”Ihopeso.
IforcemyselftowaitacoupleofhoursmorebeforecallingIsa.Iwanttorushoverandbewith

her,butshewasdistantlastnight.IdidwhatIcouldtohelpher,butIcouldtellshedidn’treallywant
my help. Not touching here while we were in bed yesterday nearly killed me. I wanted to hold her
close,andtellheritdidn’tmatter.WhateverthehellRyanGriffinmadeherdodoesn’tchangehowI
feelabouther.Itmakesmewanttomurderhim,andIwillpayhimavisitbeforeIleaveVegas,butit’s
notherfault.Noneofthisis.

WhenIcallher,shedoesn’tanswer.AnyoftheseventimesItry.Shealsodoesn’trespondtoany

textmessagesformostoftheday.I’mabouttogooverthereevenifshedoesn’twantmeto,whena
singletextcomesthrough.

“I’mfine.Ijustcan’ttalkrightnow.I’llseeyouatschooltomorrow.”
ItextherbackthatIunderstand,andIloveher,butthere’snoresponse.I’velearnedovertheyears

totrustmygut,andit’stellingmethatsomethingisverywrong.WhichspursmetodosomethingI
shouldn’tdo.IsetupameetingIshouldn’t.ButIhavetoknow.

IdrivethroughthegatesofRyanGriffin’shousetwentyminuteslater.Ihavetositinmycarfor

almost a full minute to get my rage under control. I know I could kill him easily, despite the size
advantagehehasonme.IalsoknowIcan’tdothatwithoutgettingmyselfinevenmoretroublethan
I’malreadyin.I’mnotabovehurtinghim,though.Ineedtoknowwhathedid.

I’mmorethanalittlesurprisedwhenChloeGriffinanswersthedoor.“Hi.YoumustbeMason.I’m

Chloe.”

I shake her hand, and follow her inside. Their house is a masterpiece, but I wouldn’t expect

anything less. Ryan’s a world-renowned architect, and Chloe’s just as well known for her interior
design work. We walk down a hallway to a giant playroom. Ryan’s in there with their daughter,
rolling around on the ground. My rage starts making its way back to the surface. How can he play
withhisdaughterafterspendinganightwithawomanheboughtinabiddingwar?

“Ry,yourguestishere.”
Helooksupatme,andIseetheemotionsastheycrosshisface.Annoyance,andragethatcould

rivalmyown,beforehesettleshisfeaturesintoasmile.“Hello,Mason.Let’sgotomyoffice.”

Heextricateshimselffromhislittlegirlafterpromisingherhe’llbebacksoon.Wewalkinsilence

toaroomdownanotherhallway.Thedoorisbarelyclosedbeforehewheelsonme,pinningmewith
alookthat’smeanttointimidate.Itdoesn’tworkonme,butI’mmorethanalittleimpressed.

“Thanksformeetingwithme,Ryan.”
“Whyareyouhere,interruptingmySunday?”
“IneedtotalktoyouaboutFridaynight?”
“Youcametomyhometotalkaboutthat?Areyouinsane?”
“Iaskedyoutomeet,andyoutoldmetocomeover.WhatdidyouthinkIwantedtotalkabout?”
“Shit.You’reright.Wellgetitoverwith.Isthereaproblemwiththepaymentorsomething?”
Icouldn’tgivetwofucksabouthisdamnpayment.“Whatdidyoudotoher?”
“Excuseme?”
“Thegirlyou…won.Whatdidyoumakeherdo?”
Hesmirksatmethen.Afuckingsmirk.Doeshehaveadeathwish?BecauseI’mnotcaringabout

myfutureatthemoment.Iclenchmyfistsatmysides,andhesuddenlyrealizeshowonedgeIam.

“Areyouokay,man?Youlooklikeyou’realittleonedge.”
“Justtellmewhatyoudidtoher.”
“Askher.”
“No.Iamnotgoingtomakeherre-livewhatyoumadeherdo.She’sbetterthanthat.”
Understandingdawnsonhisface.“Youcareabouther.”
“That’snoneofyourbusiness.”
“AllI’mgoingtotellyouisthatIdidn’thurther.”
“She’sbroken.SomethinghappenedtobreakheronFridaynight.”
“Itwasn’tmewhodidthat.ShewasfinewhenIleftSaturdaymorning.”
“Maybeweshouldcallyourwifeinhereandhaveyoutellherthat.”
“I’mtryingtobenicehere,butdon’tthreatenme.WhathappenedonFridayhasnothingtodowith

mywife.Ifyoutrytoinvolveher,Iwillreact.Andnotinawaythat’sgoingtohaveyouleavinghere
inonepiece.”

“Youdon’tscareme.”
“Really?BecauseifyouthinkI’mgoingtoletapieceofshitpimpthreatenmeinmyownhouse,

you’redumberthanyounormallycomeacross.”

“Don’tcometoanotherauction.You’renotwelcome.”
“IfIneverseeyouagain,it’llbetoosoon.Nowgetthefuckoutofmyhouse.”
Idon’tevenremembermydrivehome.IwantedanswersthatIdidn’tgetfromGriffin.Icould’ve

gottenviolentwithhim,buthiswifeandkiddidn’tneedtoseethat.Maybehiswifeshould’veseenit,
but it’s really not my business to bust up their marriage. Plus, if it got back to the boss before I
managetogetout,I’dbedead.ThennoonewouldbearoundtoprotectIsa.Andshedefinitelyismy
business,whethershewantstobeornot.

CHAPTER12

Isa

I walk into school on Monday with my head held high. He can’t break me. I won’t let him. My

heart’sbroken,butnoonewillseethat.They’lljustseeawell-dressedteen,withakillermanicure.

“You’re practically glowing, Isabelle. Friday night agreed with you, it seems,” Kurt says, putting

hisarmaroundmeaswewalkdownthehall.

“Itwasveryenlightening,that’sforsure.”
“Thebosswasveryhappywithyourwinningbid.You’llbegoingonaspecialtripthisweekend,so

nodatesuntilthen.”

“Whatkindoftrip?”
“That’sasurprise.Onethatwillmakeyouanicechunkofchange.”
“WhenamIleaving?WhatshouldIpack?”
“Enoughwiththetwentyquestions.You’llknowwhenthetimecomes.”
Heleavesmeatmylocker,whichgivesmetimetotextReina.Thiscouldbethebreakweneed.If

I’mgoingsomewhere,thatmeansshewasrightaboutthisbeingaboutmorethanVegas.Italsomeans
thatMasewillhavetorevealhimselftome.That’snotgoingtogowellforeitherofus.

Imanagetoavoidhimformostoftheday.Ican’tdothatinhisclass,though.Hecallsonmetwice,

andIanswer,butthat’sallIgivehim.Nosmiles,anddefinitelynochewingonmypencil.I’mlikea
robotversionofmyself.Speakingwhenspokento,butshowingnoemotion.It’snotlikeIdon’tknow
howtodothat.Ilivedmostofmylifebeinglikearobot.Ijustdidn’tthinkI’devergobacktotheold
meagain.

“Isabelle,awordplease,”hesayswhenthebellrings.
“Ihaveatestnextperiod,Mr.Wells.Canitwait?”
“Pleasecomeseemeafterschool.ButIdoneedtospeaktoyou.”
“Okay.”
“Youthinkyou’reprettygreat,don’tyou?”GracesaysasIwalkout.
“Yeah,Ido.”MyfriendshelpedmerealizethisweekendthatIamprettygreat.“Butwhatdoesthat

havetodowithyou?”

“I’mtopgirl.IhavebeensinceIstarted.”
“Okay.”
“TellKurtyouwon’tgoonthetripthisweekend.”
“Iwasn’tgivenachoice,Grace.”
“Iwassupposedtogo.I’vebeenpromisedthattripformonths.”
“Again,Ididn’taskforthis.Idon’tevenwantit.”
“Justlikeyoudon’twantMr.Wells’dickinyourmouthagain?Youknowthat’swhathewantsto

seeyouabout.He’sunderyourspell,too.”

“Thisconversationisover.”
“It’soverwhenIsayitis.”

“Youjustaccusedmeofusinga‘spell.’ImaginewhatIcoulddotoyouifIreallyamawitch,”Itell

herasIwalkintomynextclass.

Idon’twanttogoseehim,butIreallydon’thaveachoice.He’stechnicallymyteacherhere,andif

hesaysheneedstospeaktome,Ihavetogotohim.Iknowit’snotschoolhewantstotalkabout,butI
couldn’texactlyaccusehimofitinfrontofaclassroomfullofstudents.

“Isa,”hesays,pullingmetohimandlockingthedoorwhenIwalkintohisoffice.“I’vebeenso

worried.Iwantedtobewithyouyesterday.”

Ilethimholdme,andIevenmanagetoputmyarmsaroundhim.Hekissesmealloverthetopof

myhead,andthenmyface.Ipullbackwhenhegetstomymouth.Ican’tlethimkissmelikehecares.

“Myfriendscameover.Iwasfine.”
“You’renotfine,though.Youcan’tevenlookmeintheeye.”
Iforcemyeyestohis,hopingIcansucceedinlookinglikeI’mnotdisgustedbyhim.“I’mlooking

atyounow.”

“You’resosad,”hesays,searchingmyeyeswithhisown.“Ihatethatyou’resad.”
“There’snothingyoucandoaboutit.Youdidn’tsellmetothehighestbidder.”
Hiseyesgowideforjustasecond.Iwouldn’thaveseenitifIhadn’tbeenlooking.Webothknow

hedidindeedsellmetoRyan.Hejustdoesn’tknowthatIknow.

“I-I…I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about that. About what happened on Friday. I want to be here for

you,butIcan’ttalkaboutit.”

“YouwantedtotalkaboutitonSaturday.YouaskedmewhatIhadtodo.”
“Iknow.ButIrealizedyesterdaythatit’sprobablybetterifIdon’tknow.”
“WhatifIneedtotellyou?”
Heswallowshardbeforeanswering.“Doyou?Ifthat’swhatyouneed,I’lllisten.”
“No.Notnow.Imayneedtolater,though.”
“Whateveryouneed,Isa.”
“Youmeanit.”Icantellhedoes,andthatunnervesmealittle.Okay,alot.
“OfcourseImeanit.Iloveyou.Icantellthatyoustilldon’tbelieveme,butit’strue.”
“Why?What’ssospecialaboutme?”
“Everything.Youalreadyknowyou’realmostalwaysthesmartestpersonintheroom,butyou’re

alsothekindest.Yourheartissobigandbrave…I’mjustinaweofyouwheneverI’mnearyou.And
let’snoteventalkabouthowbeautifulandsexyyouare.”

No.It’snotsupposedtobelikethis.He’snotsupposedtobelikethis.Becauseitreallydoesn’tfeel

likehe’slying.Iknowhe’sbeenlyingaboutotherthings,andImissedit.ButI’mwatchingclosely
now.Soeitherhe’sthatgood,orhereallydoesloveme.I’mhonestlyhopingforthefirst,becauseI
don’tknowhowtodealwiththesecondafterknowingwhatIdo.

“Iloveyou,too,”ItellhimasIburstintotears.“So,somuch.”
Hepullsmeintohisarms,andIlethim.Becausenomatterwhathe’sdone,thosefeelingsarestill

there.Andhavinghisarmsaroundmemakesmefeelsafe,eventhoughIknowhe’sdangerous.It’s
messedup,butrightnowIjustdon’tcare.Ineedhim.Iwanthim.

“Here,Jake.Makelovetomehere.Now.”
“Theclassroom.Godhelpme,butIwantyouintheclassroom.”
“Canwe?”Iaskashepicksmeup.
“We’llbequiet.”
“Areyousurewecan?”
“No,”hesayswithalaugh,placingmeonmydesk.“ButI’mgoingtohaveyouhereanyway.”
“Ilikethisrecklesssideofyou.”
“I’msogladyouworeyourhairdowntoday.”

Idon’tsayanythingelseasIstartunbuttoninghisshirt,kissingeveryinchofskinIexpose.Ilove

hischest.It’sperfectlydefined,andohsosexy.Iknowthisisprobablythelasttimewe’llbetogether,
andIshouldtakeitslow,butIcan’t.Hehasmyshirtandbraoffinseconds,andspendslong,glorious
minutes worshipping my breasts. My jeans and his pants are still on as I rub against him like we
haven’tbeentogetherinmonths,insteadofjustdays.

Hekeepsanippleinhismouthashereachesdowntoundomyjeans.Ipushthemandmypanties

downmylegs.Hetakescareofhisownpantsandbriefsbeforethrustingintome.Hestopsoncehe’s
fullyseatedinside.

“Home.MyGod,Isa.Nothinghaseverfeltlikecominghomebeforeyou.”
“It’sthesameforme,”ItellhimasIkisshim.
Ishiftmyhipsbackandforth,lovingtheslideofhiminsideofme.Hegroansbeforetakingover

thework.We’recompletelysilentashemakeslovetome,goingslowuntilbothofusneedmore.As
hespeedsup,hemovesmyhandbetweenus.

“Touchyourself.I’mgettingclose.”
Idoitwithoutquestion,movingmyfingerslikeIwouldifIwasalone.Itshouldembarrassme,but

itdoesn’t.Everythinghedoestome,andwithme,makesmefeelboldanddesirable.

“Ilovethis.Ilovebeinginsideofyou,Isa.I’mjustjealousofmycockrightnowbecauseIdidn’t

putmymouthonyoufirst.Ishouldhaveyourtasteonmytonguerightnow.”

HegoesbacktonibblingonmyneckandcollarboneasIusethatboldnessheinfusesinmetogive

himwhathewants.Itakemyfingersfrombetweenusandmovethemtohismouth.Hepullsbackto
lookatmeashesucksmyfingersintohismouth.HiseyescloseashesavorswhatIjustgavehimand
that’sallittakes.Icomehard,harderthanIthinkIeverhave.

He’s right behind me, and when his head bangs on the desk next to my head, I know he’s just as

affected.Webothliethereforafewminutes,breathinghard.Heslipsoutofme,butstayswhereheis.
Irubhisbackasherunshisfingersthroughmyhair.

“Didthathelp,babe?ToerasewhateverRyanGriffindidtoyou?”
Istiffeninhisarms,becausehejustmadereal-lifecomebackintothisroom.“Inevertoldyouit

wasRyanGriffin.”

***

Mason

Fuck.“Kurttoldme.”
Isapushesmeoffher.“Don’tlietomeafterwhatwejustdid.Iknowyou’vebeenlyingtomesince

thebeginning,butnotnow.Pleasenotnow.”

Shepullsherjeansup,andcrossesherarmsoverherchest.Idon’tpullmypantsup,becauseIfeel

likesheneedsmetobealittlevulnerablerightnow.Sheneedstobeincontrolofwhatishappening.
AndIneedtoownuptowhatIcan.

“Whatdoyouknow?”
“Iknowthatyouweretheonewhosoldmetothehighestbidder.ThatdespitethefactthatIbelieve

youloveme,youdidthattome.Anythingcould’vehappenedtome,andyetyoudidit.Yousoldme
tohim.”

“Iwenttoseehimyesterday.Iwantedtokillhim.Hewouldn’ttellmewhathedidtoyou.Hiswife

anddaughterwerethere,orIdon’tknowwhatIwould’vedone.”

“You-youwenttoseeRyan?”

“Yes. Friday night was the worst night of my life, Isa. I’ve had a lot of bad nights, but nothing

comparedtothat.Ididn’tsleep,andIwantedtogouptothatroomandgetyou.IknewIcouldn’t,butI
wanted to. Thinking of him touching you…and whatever else he did. Tell me what he did that we
haven’t.Ineedtodoitifyouwant,ordosomethingelsetohelperaseit.Please.Ineedtoknow.”

“WediditSaturday.”
“Saturday?Butwejustsleptinyourbed.Awayfromeachother.”
“Yes.Andthat’swhatRyanandIdid.”
“Hedidn’ttouchyou?”
“Well, he held my hair when I threw up, and washed my face. After he told me you were Kurt’s

boss.”

What?Ohshit.She’sbeenbrokenbecauseofme.Becausesheknew.Whichmeanssheliedtome,

too.I’mabastardforitafterwhatI’vebeenhiding,butIcallheronitanyway.

“Youliedtome.YousaidtheotherGriffinsdidn’tknow.”
“Don’tyoudaretryandturnthisonme.Yousoldme.MorethanoncesinceKurtworksforyou.

HowiswhatI’msayingnotgettingthroughtoyou?Youcan’tdeflecttheblame,ortrytoprettyitup.”

Hermovementsarejerkyassheputsonherbraandshirt.Iwanttogotoher,andholdheragain.

ButIcan’t.IdidwhatIhadtodo,butthatdoesn’tmakeitright.

“Ididn’thaveachoice.Thatdoesn’tcomeanywhereclosetoexcusingwhatIdid,butIneedyouto

knowthatIhadtodoitall.”

“You’retheboss.”
“AndIhaveaboss,too.”
Ishouldn’t tell herthat. It meansshe’ll know that thisthing, this disgustingand horrible thing, is

biggerthanshethought.ButIneedhertoknowthatIhadtodowhatIdid.WhatI’vebeendoing.

“Youchoseyourbossoverme.”
“Ichosetolive.Butyes,youshould’vecomebeforethat.”
Iknowthatnow.Iknowthatwhenthetimecomes,I’lllaydownmylifebeforeIletanyonethreaten

hers.Withoutevenblinking.

“You’reindanger?”sheasks,walkingovertomeandplacingherhandsonmychest.
“I’malwaysindanger,Isa.Ican’trememberatimewhenIwasn’t.ButIknowwhatyou’reasking,

andtheanswerisyes.Mybosswouldkillmewithoutasecondthought.He’dkillyou,too.Andevery
oneofthosegirlswhoworkforhim.”

“Youhavetogetout.”
“I’mworkingonit.”
“I’llhelp.”
“No.Absolutelynot.Youhaveajobtodo.Andthatincludestakingmedown.IknewIwassealing

myfatewhenIwenttoReina.Ididn’tknowthestudentI’dbeenlustingafterwasreallyasexyspy,but
IknewIwasgoingdownwiththeship.I’veacceptedthat.”

“Youcouldtestifyagainsthim.GointoWitnessProtection.”
“Thatwaskindoftheplan…before.”
“Before?”
“BeforeIfellinloveforthefirsttimeinmylife.”
“No,Jake.Don’tsacrificeyourselfforme.”
“I’mnottryingtodothat.Iwanttolive.Iwanttomarryyouoneday,andhavekids.Iwanttogrow

oldwithyoubymyside.”

“Thenlive.Pleaselive.Turnyourselfin.”
“You’d leave everything for me? Your job, and your friends? Never see your family again?

BecauseifIwentintoWitnessProtection,that’stheonlywaywecouldbetogether.”

“I…I…”
Iplacemyfingersoverhermouth.“It’sokay,mybeautifulIsabelle.Iknowyoucan’t.Whichiswhy

I won’t go that route. Keep investigating. Bring me down. Bring it all down because it’s ugly and
horrible.Justletmeloveyouuntilthen.”

“I’mnotgivinguponyou,butIcan’tshieldyou.Therehastobeaway.”
“Youletmeworryaboutthat.Youjustworryaboutwhatyouneedtodo.I’llhelpyouhoweverI

can.”

“I want to decline that offer, but I have to do what’s right. And shutting this thing down is right.

Theseyounggirlsarebeinghurt,andIcan’tputthematanymoreriskthantheyarealreadyin.Even
Grace,whothinksshewantsit.”

“Iknow.AndI’mtrulysorrythatI’mapartofthis.IwishIwasn’t.”
“Howdidyougetinvolved?”
I’ll tell her what I can. “My mother ’s friend is running the whole show. He caught me at…a bad

time.Ishouldneverhavetakenhimuponhisoffer,butIdid.”

“Yourmothercan’thelp?”
“She’strying.”
“You’ve never told me about your parents. You know all about mine, but I know nothing about

yours.”

“Whenthisisallover,I’lltellyoueverything.Nomatterhowitgoes.”
“I’llvisityouinjail.Everydayuntilyou’rereleased.”
“No.I’lltakeeverysecondIcangetwithyouuntilthatday,butonceI’minjail,youwillnot visit

me.You’regoingtofindsomeonewhocangiveyoueverything,andyou’regoingtolovehimwith
yourwholeheart,IsabelleCarlton.Becausethat’swhatyoudeserve,everything.”

“Ialreadyhaveeverythingwithyou.Therewillneverbeanyoneelse,Jake.You’reit.Theone.I’ll

waitforyou.”

“You’retheoneforme,too.ButIcan’taskyoutodothat.Towait.”
“Youdidn’task.”
Ibenddownandkissherbecausethere’snothingIcansaythatwillbebigenoughforwhatshe’s

offeringme.I’mstillnotsureI’llgetoutofthisalive,butifIdo,Inowhavehope.Hopeforafuture
withthewomanIlove.Whichmeans,Ineedtogetoutofthisalive.There’snootheroption.Ifonlyit
wasalluptome.

CHAPTER13

Isa

I’msittinginthelargeconferenceroomattheFoundation,waitingforeveryonetoarrive.MaybeI

should be talking to Reina and Maggie alone, but I need everyone to know. And I need them to be
okaywithmychoicetostaywithJake.Forreal.IalsowantthemtounderstandthatIwon’tallowmy
feelingtojeopardizethemission,orstopmefromtakingthemanIlovedown.Heknowsit’sgoing
tohappen,andIknowhe’sgoingtojail.We’veacceptedit,andnowIjustneedeveryoneelseIcare
abouttodothesame.

Asmyfriendsstarttoarrive,mynervesattempttogetthebestofme.Itampdownmyworry.No

matterwhathappensinheretoday,I’mgoingtofollowmyheart,andmymindforthefirsttimein
mylife.I’minlovewithabadguy.Ican’tchangethat,andIwon’tchangewhoIam.Buthedoesn’t
wantmeto.HelovesmethewayIam,andthatiswhat’sgivingmethecouragetodowhatIhaveto.
TheroomfillsupandIstandtoaddressthemall.

“Thanksforcoming,everyone.Iknowhowbusyyouallare,andIappreciateyouagreeingtobe

here.”

“Ofcoursewe’rehere,Isa.Weknowyouwouldn’tcallushereifitwasn’timportant,”Audreysays.

Shejustreturnedfromhermissionlastnight,andIhaven’thadachancetotalktoheryet.

“Itis.Asyouallknow,MasonWellsisKurt’sbossintheprostitutionring.”
“Yeah.Weknow.Don’tworry,DoubleG,we’regoingtotakecareofhimonceit’salloutinthe

open.”

“Thanks,Matt,butifyoulayonehand—orbullet—onhim,I’mgoingtokillyoumyself.”
“Isa?What’sgoingon?IknowIaskedyoutopretenduntilwecouldfindoutifthiswentfarther,

butwhyareyouthreateningMatt?”Reinaasks.

“Because I’m not pretending. I love him. And he…he loves me. He knows I know, and that I’m

goingtotakehimdown,buthestilllovesme.”

“He’sliedabouteverything.Youcan’tbelievehislies.Especiallyifheknows.He’slying.I’msorry

to be so blunt, but you don’t have much experience being out in the field. He’s just using you. You
havetorealizeit,orit’sonlygoingtohurtmore.”

“Really,Reina?Andwhenhaveyouspenttimewithhim?”
“I-Ihaven’t.”
“That’sright.IknowIkeeptomyselfanddon’tgooutwithallofyou,butthatdoesn’tmeanI’m

completelycluelessabouttheworld.”

“Ididn’tsaythat.”
“Yes.Youdid.He’snotlying.Hetoldmenottowaitforhim,butI’mgoingto.”
“No,Isa,”Audreysays.
“Hedoesloveher.AtleastRyanissurehedoes,”Maggiesays.
“Ryan?Howwouldheknow?”
“Duringtheinfamous‘auction,’RyansaysthatMasonwasbarelyholdingittogether.Asthebids

rose,hegotpaleandRywasafraidhewouldpassout.WhenRyanwon,Masonlookedlikehewanted

tokillhim.HehadthatsamelookwhenhewenttohishouseonSundaytoconfronthimaboutwhathe
didtomakeIsaso‘broken.’Rytoldmethathehonestlythoughthewasgoingtohavetofightforhis
life.WhileChloeandErinwereintheotherroom.”

“He’ll leave Ryan alone. I told him nothing happened. Mason knows he’s the one who broke me.

He’sputtingmebacktogethernow,though.”

“Ineedalittlemoreinformation,Isa.Howdidthisallcomeabout?Didyoujusttellhimyouknew?

Were you unable to keep pretending?” Jane asks me. Until the wedding next month, she’s still in
chargealthoughReina’stakenoveralmostallofherdutiesalready.

“Iwaspretending.Itwasn’teasy,butIwasdoingit.Evenwhenhesaidthingsthatleftitwideopen

formetotellhimIknew.Butthenwe…weweretogetherinhisclassroomafterschool.After,hetold
me he hoped it erased some of what Ryan did. He said his name, and I just couldn’t let that go. I
confrontedhimabouthowheknewitwasRyan.”

“Whatdidhesay?”Reinaasks.
“Hetoldmehehasaboss,andthatit’safriendofhismother ’s.Hewouldn’ttellmemoreabout

her,ortheboss,buthesaidhe’stryingtogetout.”Thenextpartishard,butIhavetotellthem.“He
saidhe’sthoughtaboutturninghimselfin,andWitnessProtection,butheknowsIcouldn’tleaveall
ofyou.Andhecan’tleaveme.Sohe’spreparedforustotakehimdown.”

“Whoa,”Natesays.
“Yeah.Iknow.I’mnotleavinghim.Ijusthavetotellyouallthat.Iwill see this through, and put

himinjail.ButI’llstandbyhimthroughtheaftermath.”

“Andwe’llstandbyyou,Isa.Always,”Jadetellsme.
“Wehaven’tmadethatdecisionyet,”Reinaremindsher.
“Ihave,”Elliesays.
Andtheneveryonespeaksup.Well,everyoneexceptforthementorsandReina.Theotheragents,

andtheguysallpledgetheirsupporttome.AndthenIwaitfortheaxtofall.

“Youcandothis?You’lltakedownthemanyoulove?”Maggieasksme.
“Yes.”
“Thenyouhavemyfullsupportaswell.”
Helen,Mallory,andCyndialsosaythatthey’rewithme.ReinaandJanesharealook.WhenJane

nods,Reinaturnstosmileatme.“Whateveryouneedisyours,myfriend.PleaseknowthatIamyour
friend,evenifIhavetoallbeyourbosssometimes.Ialsogetcaughtupinmyown…problemsfrom
timetotime.Ipromisetotryandbeabetterfriendtoallofyou.”

“Thankyou.Forallofwhatyousaid.”
“You’rewelcome.Now,ifeveryonecouldexcuseus,IneedtotalktoIsa,Ellie,Tegan,Ainsley,and

Scott.”

“Don’tforgetourweddingmeetinglater,”Stellaremindsher.
“Wouldn’tmissit.”
Once the rooms clears out, Reina has Ainsley and Tegan tell us what they’ve found. Which isn’t

much.Theheadofthisoperationhasburiedhimselfdeep.Theycouldn’tfindmuchonMason,either.

“ReinatoldushewantsyoutocallhimJake.There’sabsolutelynothingonaJakeWells.Mason

Wells, however, has a laundry list of teen infractions. All petty things like shoplifting, underage
drinking,andjoyriding.Afterthat,heappearedtobeamodelcitizen.Untilnow,”Ainsleytellsus.

“Howdidhepassabackgroundchecktoworkattheschoolifhehadarecord?”Ellieasks.
“He was under eighteen when all that happened. Those records are sealed,” she tells her with a

pointedlookthatmakesElliesmirk.

“Ainsleyjustunsealedhim.Becauseshe’stalentedlikethat,”Tegansays.“I’mnottoobadmyself,

though.Imanagedtofindouttheothercitieswherethegroupisoperating.I’mprettysurewhichone

they’re taking you to this weekend. It was a little surprising since it’s not what I was expecting.
Especiallyknowingwhereelsetheyoperate.”

“Whereisit?”Iask.
“Milwaukee.”
“WhichiswhyIwantedScotthere,”Reinasays.
“Me?”
“Yes.You’refriendswithLisaDessright?”
“Lisa?Yeah.SarahVelaandshehavebeenbigsupportersofYaswiththeirblog.They’rehelping

withtheliteracyproject,too.Buthowcanshehelp?”

“She’saCPSsupervisorinMilwaukee.”
“Ohyeah.Iforgotaboutthat.Youwantmetocallher?”
“Yes. We can use all the help we can get this weekend. If opportunity to take down another city

arises,Iwanttobeready.”

“IhopeIam,”Iaccidentallysayoutloud.
“You’reworriedaboutthisweekend,Isa?”Reinaasksme.
“Yeah. Grace said she was promised the trip for months, but they gave it to me instead. Are you

going,El?”

“No.Ihavethreedatesthisweek,buthedidn’tmentionatrip.”
“Ihavenodates.HesaidI’msupposedtosavemyenergyfortheweekend.”
“Well,wecan’tallbetheonewiththehighestbid.”
“Ha-ha.Aidenbidaprettypennyforyoutoo,andyouknowit.”
“Whichremindsme,Ihavetogetthosemillionsbackforthem,”Ainsleytellsus.
“Millions?”Ellieasks,goingpale.
“Yes.Thoseguyseachpaidmillionsforyou.Well,MattfrontedAidenthemoney,butstill.”
“Youneedhelp?”Scottasksher.
“I’mnotgoingtorefuseit,”shetellshimwithasmile.
“Okay.Justkeepmepostedasusual.Especiallyyou,Isa,”Reinasays.
WeagreeandtheneveryonebutEllieandIleavetheroom.I’dtextedJadealready,soshejoinsus.

Wedon’tsayanythingatfirst.IknewRyanhadpaidanicechunkofchangeforme,butElliehadno
cluethatAidendidthesame.

“Millions.Hepaidmillions.Forme.”
“Well,you’reworthit,”Jadetellsher.
“It’snotfair.Onenight’snotfair.”
“Thenmakeitmore,”Itellher.“Don’ttakenoforananswer.”
“I’m not planning to. After this mission is over, I’m going full on into the new clothes and

behavior.Ican’tyet,though.NotwhenIhavetodresslikethisfor‘school’andall.Butafterthis,all
betsareoff.”

“Andthenhopefullytheclotheswillbe,too,”Jadetellsherwithasmirk.
“Yes,that.”
“WeneedtoworkonyouandNate,too.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I can’t really do the understated sexy thing, but I have some other

ideas.”

“Details,please,”Itellher.
“Allingoodtime,mydearies.Allingoodtime.”
“Fine.Bethatway,”Iteaseher.
“Iwill.Besides,Iwanttohearallabouttheclassroom.Didyougetallthechalkoff?”
“Weweren’tneartheblackboard,orwhiteboardforthatmatter.”

“Thenwherewereyou?”Ellieasks,hereyestwinkling.
“Mydesk,”ItellthemasIblushandcovermyface.
“Nu-uh.Nohidingfromus,”Jadesaysasshepullsmyhandsaway.
“Yeah.Imean,I’mgoingtobetryingtofigureoutwhichoneisyourseverytimeI’minthere,but

spill.Wasithot?”

“Yes.Imean,it’salwayshot.Butitwas…differentthistime.”
“How?”Ellieasked.
“I was more confident. More bold. Being with him, and spending time with all of you has really

helpedme.It’smademefeelmorecomfortableinmyownskin.Likeit’sokaytobeme.”

“Ofcourseit’sokaytobeyou.You’reamazing,”Jadesays.
“I never really saw it before. Because I’m so, you know…awkward. At least socially. I wanted to

change,butnowIknowIdon’tneedto.Ithinkittookfallinginlovewithsomeonewholovesmefor
me.Andhavingfriendswhofeelthesame.Itmademereallylookatmyself,andrealizehowmuchI
like myself. I’ll never be totally comfortable around a bunch of people, but I think I’m going to be
okaywithit.EvenifIfeellikethey’rejudgingme,ornottotallygettingme.”

“Well,good,becauseweallloveyou.Andifanyonejudgesyou,we’llkicktheirass.”
“Thanks,J.NowwhatarewegoingtodoaboutAiden?”
“Whydoyouneedtodoanythingaboutme?”heasks,walkingintotheroom.
“Youpaidmillionsforthatnightwithme,”Ellietellshim.
“Wortheverypenny.Imeanit.”
“Whatiftheycan’tgetthemoneyback?”
“ImadeupapaymentplanforMatt.Hesayshewon’ttakemymoney,buthewill.I’llmakesureof

it.Ipaymyownway.”

“Youdidn’thavetodoit.”
“Yes,Idid.Don’tyougetit,El?”
“No,Idon’t.Doyou…wanttobewithme?Likereallywithme?”
“Yes.WhichiswhyIhavetoleave.”
“What?No.Youcan’tleaveme.”
“I love you, El. I shouldn’t tell you that, but it’s not right for you to think that night was just

fucking.”

“Thenwecanbetogether.Iloveyou,too.”
“No.Wecan’t.There’sthings…thingsIcan’ttellyou.AndIcan’tbewithyouifyoudon’tknow.”
“Thentellme.Youcantellmeanything,please.”
HelookstoJade,andthenme.“Ican’t.I’mleavingafterthewedding.”
“Pleasedon’tgo,Aiden.Please.”
“You’regoingtobehappy.Someoneelseisgoingtomakeyouhappy,andthat’sallIwant.Ifyou

need me, if you every truly need me, I’ll be there for you. Always. I swear it. You call me and I’ll
cometowhereveryouare.ButIcan’tstayhere,andseeyoueveryday,hopingthatIcanhaveyou.”

“Youcanhaveme.Whywon’tyouseethat?”
“BecauseIknowbetter.Iboughtyourdatesallweek,soyou’llbesafe.Goodbye,El.”
“Goodbye?Yousaidyou’restayinguntilthewedding.”
“Iam.Butit’sbestifwestayawayfromeachother.”
“Bestforwho?Youdamncoward.Stayhere.Bewithme.LetmeshowyouIloveyouenoughto

notcareaboutyoursecrets.”

Hepullshertohim,andhugshertight.Therearetearsshininginhiseyeswhenheletshergo.But

hestillwalksoutthedoor.Andwecatchherasshefallstowardsthefloor.

Whydoallthesestupidmenthinkthey’renotgoodenoughforus?Orthatwecan’thandletheir

truths?We’restrongerthanwelook,andwhatbreaksusisthembeingtooscaredtogiveusachance.
Maybeonedaythey’llgetit.Untilthen,we’lljusthavetopickupthepiecesforeachother.

***

Jake

Thisweekhasbeenclosetoperfect.I’veprettymuchmovedintoIsa’splace.Sheknowsitallnow.

Well,atleasttheallIcantellher.There’sstillacoupleofthingsIhavetokeepfromher.Ifeelbad
aboutit,buttherearejustsomelinesIcan’tcross.

Knowing that she loves me and wants me, even though she knows the bad within me, is beyond

everyhopeanddreamI’veeverhad.There’snothinglikeherlove.I’vebeendoingmybesttoshow
herthatIloveherjustasmuchasshelovesme.I’vealsobeengivingherasmuchinformationasI
canabouthoweverythingworks.Iknowit’sgoingtomakethingswayharderforme,andthatIcould
losemyfreedom,butitmeansI’llbekeepingher,andthat’swaymoreimportant.

The only thing that has me worried is the lack of communication from my boss. He told me Isa

needed to be on the plane tomorrow. She says Kurt told her she’s leaving tomorrow, but I have no
info.Ihaveaverybadfeelingaboutthis.Wemadeallthatmoneylastweekend,sowhywouldhekeep
meoutoftheloop?I’veworkedhardtoprovemyloyalty.WhatItoldIsawasthetruth—hereallyisa
friendofmymom’s.Oratleasthewasbeforeshefoundoutwhatheofferedme.Nowshekeepshim
closebecausehe’sanenemy,notafriend.AndIdowhatIhavetoinordertostayalive.

I’minthemiddleofclasswhenKurtcomesinwithanoteinhishand.“Ihavepermissiontotake

Isabellehomefortheday.There’sbeenadeathinherfamily,andaplaneiswaitingtotakeherback
home.”

Shit.Ididn’tseethiscoming.“No.”
“Excuseme?”
“She’snotgoingwithyou.”
“That’snotuptoyou.”
“Inmyoffice.Now.Youtoo,Isabelle.”
Itelltheclasstostudythenextchapter.WhenGracetriestofollowus,Itellhertogetbackinher

seat.Icloseandlockthedoorbehindus,placingmyselfinfrontofIsa.

“WhatthehellisgoingonKurt?Iwassupposedtotakeher.”
“Change of plans. The big boss doesn’t trust you for some reason. And since you just outed

yourselfinfrontofthemerchandise,I’dhavetoagreewithhim.”

Merchandise?IswearI’mgoingtoendthelittlebastardwhenIgetachance.“She’snotgoingwith

you.”

“Ihavesomefriendsoutsidewhowouldbegtodiffer.”
“Evenyouwouldn’tbesostupidastobringthosethugsintotheschool.Yourdaddy’spoweronly

extendssofar.”

“You’readeadmanifyoutrytostopthis.Youknowthat.”
“I’llgo,”Isasays.“Don’tputyourselfindangerbecauseofme.”
Igrabherarmasshestepsaroundme.“Ialreadyhave.Youcan’tgowithhim.”
Sheseemstogetthatsomething’swrong,soshestopswalking,butinsteadofstandingbehindme,

shestandsnexttome.Crossingherarms,sheglaresatKurt.“IguessI’mgoingtohavetopassonthis
trip,Kurt.”

“Likehellyouwill.Doyouwanttogobacktothefoodandthecomments?Didyouenjoythat?”

“No.Idon’twantthat,butIcantakewhateveryoudishout.”
I’msoproudofher.She’samazing,whichIalreadyknew.Buthercouragejusthumblesme.Iknow

how much being looked at and talked about scares her, yet she’s going to do it to protect herself. I
didn’tthinkIcouldlovehermore,butIwaswrong.

“You’regettingonthatplanetoday,evenifIhavetoinvolveotherstomakeithappen.You’retoo

valuable. Our new clients know how much you went for at auction, and that you got rave reviews.
Theywantyoubad,andthey’regoingtohaveyou.Well,oncemyfriendsandIaredonewithyou.”

“You’dhavetokillmefirst.”
“Unfortunately,wecan’tevenmarkyou.Butitwillstillbefun…forus.”
Ilungeforhim.Ican’thelpmyself.Igetintwogoodshotsbeforeheplaysdirtyandstabsmeinthe

armwithaknife.HegetsawaybeforeIcanreact.

“Jake.OhmyGod.”
“It’sfine.Hedidn’tgetitindeep.”
“Letmelook.”
“Thereisn’ttime.IneedyoutogetsafelytoyourapartmentortheFoundation.Canyourfriendsdo

that?”

“I’msuretheycan.ButIshouldbeonthatplane.Ineedtofinishthis.”
“If you get on this plane, they will do just what Kurt said. You’ll be gang raped. I know you’re

tough,butfourtooneonaprivateplaneisnottheoddswe’relookingfor.”

“Four?Howdoyouknow?”
“Mybossusesthesamethreeguyswhenheneedssomemuscleforthedirtiestjobs.Hethreatened

to send them if I stepped out of line. I must have given something away about you when I talked to
him.Itriednotto,butitwasafterthatnightofnosleep,whenIthoughtyouandRyanhadsex.Iwasa
littlecrazed.”

“I’llgetaway.Butwilltheygothateasily?”
“No.Yourfakeparentsaren’tatthehouse,arethey?”
“No.They’reattheirrealhousetoday.But…ohmyGod.Tegan’sthere.Ihavetocallher.”
I wait anxiously as she dials the number. The bell rings, but I don’t go check on my class. The

charade is over, anyway. When Tegan answers, Isa tells her what’s going on and then something
happens.

“Teeg?What’sgoingon?”
Igrabthephonefromher.“Tegan,it’sMason.Aretheythere?”
“Yeah.Theyjustbrokethroughthegates.”
“Isthereapanicroomorsomewhereyoucanbarricadeyourselfin?”
“Nopanicroom,buttheservant’sbathroomhasonlyoneentranceandisprettysecluded.”
“Getyourselfthere.I’monmyway.”
“Nooffense,butI’vealreadysoundedthealarmforourfriends.They’dbemuchmorehelp.”
“Don’tbesosureaboutthat.PlusI’mprobablycloser.AndI’mcomingforyou,regardless.”
IhandthephonebacktoIsaandheadoutthedoor.“Getsafe,Isa.Iloveyou.”
“Iloveyou,too,Jake.Youneedtobesafe,too.”
“Rightnow,Ineedtohelpyourfriend.I’llbeassafeasIcan.”

CHAPTER14

Jake

IrealizemymiscalculationwhenIsneakintothestaffparkinglotoftheschool.Tegansaidthere

werepeopleatthehouse,buttherearealsosomeguyshere.They’renottheusualthree,buttheylook
just as bad. It’s a good thing I have my bike across the street in case of situations like this. I sneak
throughthecars,whichiseasierthanitshouldbe,tellingmetheseguysaren’tpros.Thatcouldmake
thingsgoeitherwayhereattheschool.TheycouldbebumblingenoughtomakeiteasyforIsa.Or
they could be desperate to prove themselves, and cause problems. I know Isa and her friends can
handlewhatevercomestheirway,soIneedtoconcentrateonTegansinceshe’saloneatthemoment.

IracemybikethroughthequietstreetsandthroughthebrokengatesofIsa’sfakehome.Imadeit

hereinlessthanfiveminutes,butI’malmosttoolate.Tegan’salreadybeingdraggedfromthehouse.
Thesoundofmyenginestartlestheassholesenoughsothatshe’sabletogetaway,butthey’reafter
heragain.Ipullupalongsideher,andshejumpsonthebackofmybike.

It’snotgoingtobeenough,though.Theextra“helpers”areformingabarrierinfrontofmethatI

wouldhavenotroubledrivingthrough,ifitweren’tforthegunsintheirhands.Ipulloutmyowngun
and hand it to Tegan. I drive around the house, but there’s no other way out for us as the canyon
behindthehouseisbeingguarded,too.ThebossreallywantsIsa.Idon’tblamehim.ButIamgoing
tokillhim.

“I’mgoingtogetascloseaspossibletothegates.ThenI’mjumpingoffandyouneedtojustgo.”
“Areyouinsane?”
“Yes.”
“Isawillkillme.”
“Ifwe’rebothdead,she’llbeevenmoreupset.Justtakecareofher.Areyouready?”
“Yeah.Thanks,Mason.Youdidn’thavetodothis.”
“Ireallydid.Herewego.”
Idriveusouttowardstheline,withTeganshootingasmanyoftheguysasshecanwhilewestill

havetheelementofsurprise.Rightbeforethegates,Iyell“now”andjumpoff.Shesurgesforward
andgrabsthehandlebars,thebikeweavingalittleassheshootsoutontothestreet.She’ssafe.Thank
God,she’ssafe.Me?Notsomuch.

“Isn’t this interesting? The cold hearted Mason Wells sacrificing himself for a woman. And not

eventheoneourbossthoughtyouweretryingtoprotect,”AssholeOnesaystome.

Idon’tanswer.Theycandowhatevertheywanttome,butI’mnotsayingaword.Aboutanything.

EspeciallynotIsa.

“Aw,Cat’sgotyourtongue.You’llbescreamingandbeggingsoonenough,toughguy.”
TheypullmeroughlytooneoftheSUVsandtossmeinthebackseat.AssholesTwoandThreejoin

me,oneoneachside.Theyleavethenewminionswhoarestillalivebehindtofendforthemselves.
As we drive down the street, I see my motorcycle abandoned on the side of the road. Thank God.
Tegangotaway,andIsashouldbesafebynow,too.Iknewthiswascoming,anditwouldbebad,but
atleastIwasabletoprotectthewomanIloveandherfriend.

Kurt and Grace are already on the plane when I’m escorted to my seat. Kurt smirks at me, but

Gracelooksworried.Sheshouldbe.Idon’tknowhowI’mgoingtoprotectheronthisplane,butI
have to try. Crossing state lines with a minor with the intent to commit a crime should help place
another nail in the boss’ coffin, but while this girl thinks she wants the life she’s living, I can
guaranteethatshedoesn’t.

“Lookyhere,wemaynothavethewinner,butblondieisaniceconsolationprize,”Onesays.
“Prize?I’mgoingtoaparty.”
“Butwehavepermissiontopartywithwhatevergirlwefoundhereontheplanefirst.”
“No,”shesayslookingscarednow.“Kurt?”
“Theyhavepermission.”
“Youdon’twanttotouchher,”Itellthem.
“Ohyeah,wedo,”Twotellsme.
“Doyouknowwhoherfatheris?”
“WhyshouldIcare?”
“Becausehe’spowerfulenoughtohirepeoplebetterthanyoutofindyouandhurtyou.”
“Shewon’ttell,willyou?”
Gracelooksatme.“Pleasedon’tmakemedothis.”
“Ifyouhaven’tnoticed,I’mnotinapositionofpowerhere,Grace.Butyouhavepower.Tellthem

whoyourfatheris.”

It’stheonlythingIcanthinkof.Iknowshedoesn’twantanyonetoknow—evenmostofthekidsat

theschooldon’tknow.ButIknow,andsodoesKurt.Whichiswhyhe’stheonelookingscarednow.

“He’sright.Ishouldn’thavebroughther.Butweneededsomeone.Thosemillionairescanprotect

themselves,butwe’dbedeadwithinaday,”hetellsOne.

“You’reserious.”
“Yeah.IwishIwasn’tbecausewecouldallhavefunwithher,butI’dliketolivealittlelonger.”
“Well,shit.Thebossowesussomepussyonthegroundthen.”
Ibreatheasighofrelief.Iwon’tbeanyusetoheronceweland,butIwasabletosaveGracehere.I

canonlyhopethatIsaandherfriendscomethrough.Ifmymomhasn’talready.Betweenthem,Imay
actuallyhaveachanceatmakingitoutofthisalive.

***

Isa

ImadeittotheFoundationsafely.Itwasn’teasy,especiallysincealmosteveryoneneededtogoto

Tegan,whowasunderabiggerthreatthanme.Ainsleysaidthehousewassurrounded.Therewerea
fewguyswaitingoutsideforme,too.Elliewasalreadyinthebuilding,andJadecamewithNateto
helpus.

The guys actually started shooting at us, which told us they were new and trying to prove

themselves.Jadegotgrazedonthearmbyabulletandthat’swhenNatewentcrazy.Afterthethreeof
us helped to unarm them and got into the car, he beat the shit out of them until all three were
unconscious. Only then did he jump in the backseat with Jade, ripped off his t-shirt—which nearly
causedEllietocrashthecar—andwrappeditaroundherarmtostoptheblood.

ItwasprettyamazingandgavemeanewfoundrespectforNate’stalents,andum,hischest.Which

reallyisathingofbeauty.He’sdowninthemedicalwardwithJadenow,sinceherefusedtoleaveher
sideevenaftershetoldhimshewasfine.ItwouldbeadorableifIweren’tsostressedaboutTegan
andJake.There’sbeennoword,andtheyshouldhavebeenbackbynow.

Whenthegroupcomesintothelobby,Ilookfromfacetoface,buthe’snotwiththem.“Whereis

he?”

“I’msorry,Isa.Itoldhimhewasinsane.”
“WhatareyoutalkingaboutTeeg?”
“Hesacrificedhimselftogetmeoutofthere.”
“No!”
Ifeelmylegsgooutbeneathme,andapairofstrongarmscatchme.Mattliftsmeupandcarries

metotheconferenceroom.HesetsmeinachairasAidenhandsmesomewater.WhenJadeandNate
joineveryoneintheroom,Natecomestostandbyme,too.It’slikethethreeofthemaretryingto
protectme,butIdon’tknowfromwhat.I’vealreadybeenprotectedbythemanIlove,andwhatwe
shouldbedoingnowisplanningonhowtorescuehimbefore…beforehisbosskillshim.

A moment later, I understand why they’re standing guard. A number of military men enter the

room,followedbyTheChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff,ElizabethMason.BecauseIdosomuch
research for missions, I have high security clearance and know that the guys help her with special
assignmentsfromtimetotime.Idon’tknowwhyshe’shere,though.

“Liz,towhatdoweowethisvisit?”Janeasksher;although,shedoesn’tseemsurprised.
“YouknowdamnwellwhyI’mheresolet’sskipwiththebullshit.”Shelookstowheretheguysare

standingaroundme.“Andyouthreeshouldbeonaplanealready.”

“Weneededtomakesureeveryonegotbackheresafely,”Matttellsher.
“Mysondidnotmakeitbackheresafely,soobviouslyyoudidn’tdoyourjob.”
“Yoursonwasnotmyconcern.MainlybecauseIdidn’tknowhewasyourson.Ifhe’dbeenhonest

withus,oratleastIsa,wecould’vehelpedhim.”

“Yes,well,Jake’salwaysbeenalonewolf.Untilnow.”
Jake?OhmyGod.“Jakeisyourson.JakeMason.That’swhyhewantedmetocallhimthat.His

nameisn’tMasonWells.”

“Noitisn’t.”
“Youneedtoexplaineverythingtous.Justtellingmetohavemygirlsstopdiggingbecausehe’s

yoursonisnotenough,”Janetellsher.

“OncethosethreegetonaplanetoMilwaukee,I’lltellyoueverything.”
“Wait.They’regoingforhim?I’mgoing,too.”
“Ohno.You’vecausedeveryoneenoughtrouble.”
“Iloveyourson,andnooneinthisroomisgoingtostopmefromhelpingbringhimoutofthis

alive.Noone.Nowtelluswhatweneedtoknow.”

Shenarrowshereyesatme,andthennods.“Timeisoftheessence,sohere’stheshortversion.My

son was in military intelligence for four years. And then he started working directly for my team,
taking on assignments that seemed impossible, but never were for him. This is something that we
never shared with the public, or even our friends. Everyone thinks he just has a cushy, low
responsibility job with my husband’s company. We always played it off like he was aimless and
couldn’tfindhisway.Itworkedtoowellinthiscase.

“Oneofmyso-calledfriendshasapparentlyhadalucrativebusinessgoingforafewyearsnow.A

business that, as you know, sells girls to the highest bidder. He had recently expanded into a new
market, but he didn’t want to be associated with that city. He needed someone else to do his dirty
work,andwhobetterthanarichplayboywithnoresponsibilities?WhenheapproachedJake,myson
played along. And then he came to me. I was against him getting involved, but what he’d been told
sickenedhim,andhewantedtohelp.Actually,that’snottrue—heneededtohelp.It’shisnature.He’s
alwaysbeentheonehisfriendsgotoforhelpwhensomethinggoeswrong.”

“He’sagoodman,”Isay.”

“Yes,heis.Andhewasclosetobringingeverythingdown,untilhedidsomethinghe’dneverdone

before.Hefellinlovewithyou,Isabelle.Whenhecalledtotellme,Itriedtoreasonwithhimandget
himtorun.ButheremindedmethatIwouldneversacrificehisfathertoprotectmyself.Whichtells
mejusthowstronghisfeelingsforyouare.”

“Ifeelthesame.”
“Eventhoughyouthoughthewasabadguy?Hetoldmeyouwerewillingtostandbyhimifhe

wenttojail.”

“Iwas.Iam.I’veneverbeeninlovebefore,either.Iwouldlaydownmylifeforhiminasecond.”
“Yourealizethatyouverywellcouldbeifyougowiththeguys?”
“Yes.”
“I still think this is too risky. You can’t just walk in there as yourself. They’d take you

immediately.”

“WhichiswhyStellaneedstobeontheplanewithme.Shecanaltermeenoughtopassassomeone

else.”

“Yes,Ican.ButI’mnotsureIshould,”Stellatellsme.
“Please,Stell.”
She looks to Reina, who nods. “He saved Tegan. We owe him. The guys are already going,

regardless.IfIsafeelssheneedstogo,we’lldoeverythingwecantohelpher.Whichmeanswe’re
takingourownplane.Wewon’tgoinwiththem,butwe’llbenearby.I’llhaveScottcallLisaDessto
alerther.”

Stella goes to grab what she needs, and everyone else files out to get ready to go to the airport.

Reinaisthelasttogo.SheliftsaneyebrowatmeandthennodswhenIdo.Sonow,it’sjustmeand
Mrs.Mason.Herguardsareoutsidetogiveusprivacy.

“I’velookedintoyou,Isabelle.”
“YoucancallmeIsa,andIwouldn’texpectanythingless,Ma’am.”
“Liz,notMa’am.Igetenough‘ma’ams’anhourtolastalifetime,andI’mreallynotthatformalif

I’mbeinghonest.”

“Goodtoknow.”
“Your background is very impressive. You not only graduated college, but got more than one

Masters,andaPhD.Allwhileyouwerestillateenager.”

“Idid,yes.”
“You lived a sheltered upbringing and have continued to draw as little attention to yourself as

possibleinyouradultyears.”

“Again,thatiscorrect.”
“Yet,youjoinedthisorganizationandpassedtheirrigoroustrainingclasses.”
“Isthisgoingsomewhere,Liz?”
“Amothertendstothinknooneisgoodenoughforherson,butyoumayjustbetheexception.A

genius with a strength of spirit not found often in women or men. Not to mention your obvious
beauty.I’mnotsurprisedthatmysonwaswillingtogiveupeverything,includinghislife,foryou.”

“Ineverwantedthat.Forhimtohavetogiveupanythingtobewithme.”
“Ibelieveyou,Isa.Andthatmakesmeevenhappier.Nowgogetmysonandbringhimhome.If

thatbastardwhotookhimgetskilledintheprocess,thatwilljustbeabonus.”

“Youdidn’ttelluswhoitis.”
“No,Ididn’t.”
“It’sthatbad.”
“Worse.”

Shetellsmethen,andIalmostfalloutofmychair.Shesaystheguysknow,butasksmenottotell

myfriendsyet.Iunderstandtheneedfornationalsecurity,soIpromisetonotsayanythingfornow.

“Isn’ttheregoingtobeHelltopayifhe’skilled?”
“TheWhiteHousehasacoverstoryalreadyplanned.Theywanthimgonealmostasmuchaswe

do.”

“Thisisalittlecrazy,likesomethingoutofaHarlanCobennovel.IfIwasn’tinthemiddleofit,I

wouldn’tbelieveitwasreal.”

“Isa,weneedtogo,”Mattsays,walkingintotheroom.
“Knockingwould’vebeenappropriate,Commander.”
“Ex-Commander,andyoucancutthecrap,Liz.Ifyou’dtoldmewhoJakereallywas,Icould’ve

madesurenoneofthiswasnecessary.”

“Yes,well,hindsightandallthat.Gogetmyboy,andmakesurethisgirlcomesoutwithhim.”
“That’snotevenaquestion.Butit’sherbeforehim,youhavetoknowthat.”
“Understood.”
“Icantakecareofmyselfyouknow.”
“Yeah,wedoknow,DoubleG.Lovecanmakeyoucareless,though,sowe’vegotyourback.”
Stella and I board the government plane with the guys, while everyone else rides in one of the

Corriganjets.WespendthefewhoursoftheflightwithStellatransformingme,whileMattfillsusin
on what’s going to go down. I knew the three of them were badass—they were in the most sought
after Special Forces group in the military—but I’ve never seen them in action before. It’s pretty
awesome,alongwithbeingalittlescary.I’mreallygladthatthey’reonmyside.

CHAPTER15

Jake

I’m not sure why they would bring me to the property where the auction and “party” are taking

place.Iguessitjustspeakstothearroganceofthemanincharge.Hethinksnothingandnoonecan
touchhim.Ihadachance,butIblewit.Isa’sstilloutthere.Shedoesn’tknowwhoheis,butmaybeher
andherfriendscanfigureitout.Ormaybetheyshouldn’t.Thisguydoesn’tcarewhohehurts.

KurtandGracearedirectedtothemainhousewhileI’mtakentoaseparatebuildingthatturnsout

tobeaprivategym.“Readytoplay,Wells?”Oneasksme.

Obviously,myrealnamehasn’tbeengivenouttotheunderlings.Iwonderhowthey’dreactifthey

knew not only my name, but how much combat training I’ve had. I don’t think this idiot would be
askingtofightme.Butwhathedoesn’tknowcanonlyhelpme,soI’llbite.

“Notreally.”
“Toobad.”
Ihangback,tryingmybesttolooknervous.Itseemstoworkasherushesme,andIeasilythrow

himovermyshoulder.HegetstohisfeetasIchuckle.ImightaswellhavealittlefunbeforeIdie.

Anhourlater,Iseemtohavewornallthreeofthemoutwhileonlygettingpunchedafewtimes.

That’swhentheybringoutthebigguns.Literally.AssholeNumberThreeholdsaSigSaueronme.

“Liedownontheground,”Twosays.
“Nothankyou.”
“Thatwasn’tarequest.”
Shit.Whycouldn’tIjustplayalong?Iknowthisisn’tgoingtobegood.Whatevertheywantmeon

the floor for is going to hurt. I’ve been trained to handle pain, but it doesn’t mean I like it. Since I
don’thaveagunofmyown,andI’mnotcloseenoughtodisarm,IhavetodowhatI’mtoldandget
onthefloor.

Sureenough,onceI’mdown,thecowardsstartkickingme.ThefirsttimeIpulloneofthetwoto

the ground with me, a bullet grazes my thigh. After that, I stop fighting; although, I do protect my
head.SinceI’dalreadywornthemoutwithhandtohand,theydon’tlasttoolongbeforetiringout.I
knowIhaveatleastonebrokenribandambleedingfromwherethebulletgrazedmesincetheymade
suretokickmethere,butallinallI’mnotintoobadofshape.

Theyhandcuffmetoaweightbenchandbringinthreeotherguystowatchme.Notsurewherethey

thinkIcangoatthemoment,butI’mgladthattheyseemtobemorethanalittlescaredofme.I’llbe
suretousethattomyadvantagelater.

Sleepingcanbeprecarious,butIdecidethatgettingsomerestwillservemewelllater.I’mnotsure

ifI’llhaveachanceforanything,butI’lltakewhatIcanget.IdreamofIsaandwhatitwould’vebeen
like if I really was just a teacher. She’s not a student, but just Luke Griffin’s friend. And we live
happilyeverafterwithour2.5kidsandawhitepicketfence.It’smyfavoritedreamever.

Awaveofcoldwaterbreaksmeoutofmyhappyplace.Ishakemyheadtoclearitandgetthewater

out of my eyes. And there he is, the man himself. Bartlett Mays. The head of this multi-state

prostitution ring. And the Secretary of State of the United States of America. God bless the U.S.A.
indeed.

“You’vebecomesuchadisappointment,Jake.”
“Fuck you. You’re trading money for teenage girls. I think your level of disappointment far

exceedsmyown.”

“Ihadsuchhighhopesforyou,”hesays,ignoringmyinsult.“Iwantedyoutorunitall.”
“Notinterested.”
“Allbecauseofapieceofass.Anicepieceofassgranted,butyou’vehadbetter.”
He’stryingtobaitme,togetmetosaymorethanI’mwillingtoaboutIsa.It’snotworking.“Maybe

Ijustgrewaconscience,”Isaywithashrug.

“It’salittlelateforthat,isn’tit?”
“Idon’tthinkit’severtoolateforaconscience.Youshouldtryit.”
“So you’ve gone from a good for nothing rich kid to a comedian. You should’ve kept your day

job.”

“Itwasbetterthanmynightjob,that’sforsure.”
“Doyounotunderstandthatyou’regoingtodietonight?”
“Well,Iwasprettysure,butthanksforclearingitup.”
I’vepushedhimtoofar.Henods,andmyheadsnapsforwardasI’mhitfrombehind.Threestepsin

frontofmeandusesmeasapunchingbagforafewminutes.Icantastethebloodinmymouth,but
my teeth are still intact. I spit out blood, hitting Mays’ shiny shoes in the process. I honestly wasn’t
tryingforthat,butI’mnotsorry.

“Stupidboy.Iwasalmostwillingtoletyoudiequickly.Butnowyou’regoingtosuffer.You’vegot

afewhourstothinkaboutallthethingsI’mgoingtodotoyouwhenIgetback.”

“You?You’regoingtodirtyyourhandswithlilol’me?”
“YoubetterbelieveIam.Andyouwon’tbemakingjokes,Icanassureyouofthat.”
Idecidetosleepagain.IwantmyhappybeforeIdie.Butthat’slater.Rightnowisabrilliantmind

andbraids.Laughterandkissablelips.Loveandcominghome.Isa.

***

Isa

WhenwestepofftheplaneinMilwaukee,Idon’tevenrecognizemyself.Myhair ’sashortblack

asymmetrical bob, my eyes are a vibrant green, and I’m dressed like a rock dominatrix. The wig,
contacts,andclothingcanchangethewayIlookontheoutside,butIneedtoownitontheinsidein
order for it to work. We worked on my walk and mannerisms during the last hour of the flight. I
knowI’mready.Ihavetobe.Failureisnotevenonthemultiplechoicelist.

Thedrivetothemansionisshort,andwehavenoproblemgettingin.WithNateandAidenhaving

beenattheVegasauction,theyhadnoproblemgettinginonthisone.AndMatt,wellhe’sMatt.Not
manypeoplesaynotoaCorrigan.Especiallytheonewho’sgettingreadytogiveupbeingthebiggest
playerintheworldtogetmarriedsoon.I’mgoingalongashiscompanion.NateandAidensaidthere
wereafewcouplesinVegas,soitwaseasytobringmealong.

ItensealittleasKurtgreetsusatthepoolhouse.Helooksatmealittlecuriously,butsaysnothing.

I’mnotsureifI’mintheclear,butfornowwe’reallokay.Thescreensonthewallshowwho’supfor
grabstoday.LisaDesssentuspicstolookatontheflight.They’reofgirlsshethinkshavebeengiven
uptothislifebytheirparents.Herfriendsinlawenforcementarewithmyotherfriends,waitingfor
thesignaltostormthemansion.

Irecognizeonlytwoofthegirlsfromthephotos.IknowNateandAidenwilltakethem.Inudge

MattwhenIseeGrace.Heraisesaneyebrow,andInod.I’mdeterminedtosavethisgirlwhethershe
thinkssheneedsitornot.Heanswersmynod,andwesettleinuntilit’stimeforthebiddingtobegin.

It’sstrangetobeonthissideofthings,butIkeepupmyactthroughouttheliveaction.Nateand

Aidenareoutbeforeus.There’ssomeguyswhodon’twanttogiveupGrace,butMattisoneofthe
richestmenintheworld,sothey’renomatchforhisbankaccount.We’vegivenourroomnumber,
andwemakeourwayupthebackstaircasetoGrace.

Mattushersmeintheroomfirstandthenclosesandlocksthedoor.GracelooksbetweenusandI

seefearflashacrossherfacebeforesheputshergamefaceon.It’sinthatmomentthatImakemy
decision.

“It’sme,Grace.It’sIsabelle.”
“What?How?OhmyGod,youhavetogetoutofhere.They’llputyouinoneoftheserooms.Or

killyou.They’regoingtokillMason.”

“We’rehereforhim.Andyou,Grace.”
“Hesavedmeontheplane.Theywe’regoingtoalldo…me.Buthetalkedthemoutofit.”
“We’regoingtogetyoubothoutofhere.”
“Myfatherwillneverallowit.”
“Yourfather?”
“He’s…he’stheoneoncharge.”
“YourfatherisBartlettMays?”
“Yeah.”
MattandIexchangeglances.Thisisevenmorefuckedupthanwethought.“Andhe-heknowsabout

youdoingthis?Hehasyouhere?”

“No.Ifoundoutwhathewasdoingwhenhelefthispersonalemailopenoneday.IknewKurt,of

course,butIdidn’tknowMason.Kurtthoughtitwasabigmindfucktohavemeworkingforthem.”

“HowdidMasonnotknow?Hismomandyourdadarefriends.”
“Theyare?Well,mymomisn’tdearolddad’swife.Somostpeopledon’tevenknowIexist.That’s

whyIdidthis.Ijustwantedsomeattentionfromhim.”

“Thisisn’tthewaytogetit.”
“Ifiguredthatoutprettyquickly,butIwasgettingattentionfromKurt.AndMasontriedtotalkme

intoleavingoncehefoundout.Ithoughthe,youknow,likedme.Buthedidn’t.Helovesyou.”

“Yeahhedoes.Iwon’tapologizeforthat,butImeantwhatIsaidaboutgettingyououtofhere,and

I’dliketohelpyou,too.”

“Thanks. And it’s okay about him. You two are actually kind of cute together. I don’t know how

we’llgetoutofhere,though.It’swellguarded.”

“Wehaveaplanandaback-upplan.Oneofthemwillwork.”
“Or we could go with a new plan,” Matt says. “A reunion with Daddy Dearest could give us the

distractionweneed.”

“No.It’stooriskyforher.”
“Forme?No.Mydadmayignoreme,butIknowhelovesme.AndwhenhefindsoutI’mpartof

hislittleclub,he’sgoingtofreakout.Hedoesn’tevenwantmetodateyet.”

“Areyousure,Grace?BecauseIdon’twanttotakethechanceofyougettinghurt.LikeIsaid,we

haveotherplans.”

“Youreallycare?AfterhowmeanIwastoyou?”
“Yes.Icare.Ihatetohaveattentiononmeasmuchasyoucraveit,soIunderstand.”
“There’s a small alcove by the top of the stairs. Go there. I’m going to give you a minute to get

situated,andthenI’mgoingtoscream.”

“That won’t work. When they get here, and find you alone, they’ll know something’s up,” Matt

says.

“Shewon’tbealone.”
“Ohhellno,Isa.You’renotgoingafterMasonalone.”
“Yeah,Iam.It’stheonlyway.Icandothis,Matt.Ipromise.”
“Idon’tlikethis,butit’sagoodplan.Reina’sgoingtowithholdsexfrommeagain,butI’mgoing

toletyoudoit.”

“Someone’swithholdingsexfromyou?Isshecrazy?Iwouldn’tdothat.”
“Behave little girl. I’m taken, and even if I weren’t, I like my women legal,” he tells her with a

smilethatshouldbeillegal.Andprobablyisinsomecountries.

“Youwatchoutforyourself,too.It’snotgoingtobeprettywhenherdadgetsuphere.”
“I’mgoingtodemandarefund,andcalltheCalvarywhileIkeephimtalking.”
“Okay,I’mout.”
I creep down the hall and find that alcove. I’m squeeze in as far as possible and wait for it. The

screamissoloud.Criesof“Daddy”overandoveragain.Damn,she’sgood.Oratleastshewillbe
oncewegethersomehelp.

Thehallshakesasthemenflyupthesteps.IseeMaysamongtheguards.Iwaitformychanceand

thenflydownthosestairs.Iseeaguardrightasheseesme,butIlaunchmyselffromthestepI’mon
andkickhimintheheadbeforehecanyell.ThenI’moutthedoor.

I’mcarefulasImakemywayaroundthehouse.Fromthesatelliteimagesofthehousewesawon

theplane,we’reprettysurethey’vegotJakeinthegymthat’sinabuildingontheproperty.It’sthe
only other outlying building, besides the pool house, that had a good amount of thermal energy
showingup.I’mabletogettothebuildingwithoutanyothertrouble.

IthinkabouthowIwanttoplaythisanddecidethatactinglikeI’mlostistheticket.It’snotoriginal

atall,butIjustneedtogetinsidethedoor.IpulldownthethinblacktankI’mwearingasfarasIcan.
Thespaghettistrapsforminga‘v’inthemiddlehindermealittle,butIgetitdownlowenoughto
show some cleavage. The tight, shiny black pants I have on hide nothing, so they’re already doing
theirpart.Iflipmywig,andwalktothedoor.

The first thing I see upon entering is Jake handcuffed to a weight bench. His looks bloody and

beaten,whichmakemewanttokillsomeone.ThenInoticethethreemenwhohavestoodupandare
comingtowardsme.Ibitemylipandstrikeapose.

“Oh.Thisisn’tthepoolhouse.”
“No,that’snexttothepool.”
“Sillyme,”Isay,pullingonmytop.
“I’llshowyou,baby,”oneofthemsays,comingtowardsme.
“Oh,thankyou,”Itellhimashecomesclose.
“You’re—“andthat’sallhegetsoutbeforeIpunchhiminthethroatandtakehisgun.
Icockitandshootoneoftheothersbeforeherealizeswhat’shappening.Thethirdcomesforme,

butI’mreadyforhim.MytrainingpaysoffasItakehimdown,allowingonlyonepunchtomycheek
togetthrough.

I pick the gun back up and run to Jake. I shoot off his handcuffs, and pull him into my arms. He

wakes up and says my name before passing out again. The authorities rush in with my friends less
thanaminutelater.

Ihavetolethimgo.Ineedtobequestioned,andheneedsthehospital.That’swhatI’mtoldasmy

hands are removed from him by the military men who have shown up, along with everyone else. I
whisper that I love him, and then he’s gone. Hours later, when I try to find him, I’m told he’s been
movedtoahospitalinVirginia.LizMasongavemeherson,andthenshetookhimaway.

CHAPTER16

Isa

I’minVirginianow.IttooktimeformetogetawayfromMilwaukee,butReinacalledinfavors

and I was allowed to leave. I took the jet straight here because I need to see Jake. I know Elizabeth
Masonisprobablygoingtotryandstopme,butIcan’tlether.

Iwalkintothehospitalandaskforhisroomnumber.Thevolunteertellsmehe’sinintensivecare,

butonlyfamilyandthoseonhisapprovedvisitorlistcangoupstairs.Ismileandwalktothecafeteria.

I use some skills Darcy taught me, and snag a badge from a young doctor who was flirting with

me.GoodthingIcleanedupontheplane.Iusethepasstoaccessthestaffelevatorandgetintothe
ICUwaitingroom.Whichiswheremyluckends.

Thereareahandfulofmilitaryguysintheroomwho’veobviouslyseenmypicture.“Youcan’tbe

here,Ms.Carlton.”

“Ineedtoseehim.Please.”
“Wehaveorders,andweneedtofollowthem.”
I’mabouttosaymorewhenabeautifulbrunettewalksintotheroom.“JakeMason,whereishe?”

sheasksthenursebehindthewindow.

“Yourname?”
“Vicki.I’monthelist.”
“Ohyes,hisgirlfriend.”
Theroomstartsspinning,andInearlyfallover.Idon’thearanythingelseasIstarttofalltothe

ground.TheguyIwastalkingtocatchesmeandhelpsmestandagain.WhenIlookaround,Iseethat
Jake’sgirlfriendisgone.Becauseshe’sallowedtoseehim.Ofcoursesheis.Ineverexpectedtobe
the“otherwoman”atanytimeinmylife.Butthat’swhatIamnow.Andletmetellyou,itreallydoes
suck.

BeingthemasochistthatIam,Ican’tleavetownwithouttalkingtoJake.Ineedtohearhimtellme

thatitwasallalie,soIhangaroundtownforthenextfewdays.I’minthehotelacrossthestreetfrom
the hospital, and I see the press going crazy as Jake leaves the hotel. With Vicki. I’m going to his
parents’housetodayforonelasttryatgettingtheclosureIdesperatelyneed.

Ipulluptothegates,expectingtobeturnedaway.That’snothowitworks,though.I’mactuallylet

in.OfcourseLizistheonewaitingformeintheroomthebutlerleadsmeinto,andnotJake.Iknew
thiswasalittletooeasy.

“Whyareyouhere,Isa?”
“Youcan’tbeserious.Isavedhim.YouknowIlovehim.”
“IalsoknowthatyousawVickiatthehospital.Mymensaidyounearlyfainted.”
“IneedJaketoexplainallofthistome.”
“That’s not going to happen, but I’ll indulge your curiosity. Vicki and Jake were high school

sweethearts.Everyoneknewtheywereperfectforeachother,buttheydecidedtotakeabreak.This
littlesituationhasbroughtthembacktogether.”

“Youmeanyoubroughtthembacktogether.”

“It was Jake who asked for her, not me. He’s realized that she’s the one he really wants, and his

other…feelings…weren’twhathethoughttheywere”

“Idon’tbelieveyou.Lethimtellmethat.”
“My son is still recovering from his injuries. He doesn’t need to see a scorned little girl crying

overhim.Heneedsrest,notguilt.”

“I’mnotalittlegirl.”
“Iknowthatand,actually,that’swhyIletyouintoday.Ihaveajobforyou,Isa.OnethatIthinkwill

helpyougetclosure.Andwillalsohelpkeepmysonsafe.That’swhatyouwantmost,isn’tit?Forthe
manyoulovetobesafe.”

“OfcourseIwanthimtobesafe.”
“Thenlet’sfocusonthat,notyourbrokenheart.You’reyoung,someoneelsewillcomealong.But

couldyoulivewithmysonbeingatargetwhenyoucould’veeliminatedthemanwhowouldthreaten
him?”

“YouwantmetokillMays.”
“Yes.”
Inod.“I’lldoit.”
Becauseshe’sright.IloveJakeenoughtowanttoprotecthim,evenasmyheart’sbreaking.

***

Jake

Ican’tremembermuchabouthowIgotoutofthatgym.ButIknowIsawasthere.Shewaswearing

awig,andhereyesweregreen,butitwasher.Mymotherdeniesit,butIknowwhatIsaw.

Iwanttocallher,butnoonewillgivemeaphone.TheysayIneedtorestandrecuperate.Butit’s

been almost two weeks. And if I can talk to the police, I should sure as hell be able to talk to the
woman I love. I would get one myself, but my mom’s been keeping me drugged up, and there are
guardsatmydooraroundtheclock.Ibribedmydaynursetolessenmymeds,though,soit’sgame
on.

“Jake,you’reup,”mymomsaysassheentersmyroom.
“It’sthemiddleoftheafternoon,Mom.OfcourseI’mup.”
“Andinasgoodamoodasever,Isee.”
“Ineedaphone.”
“No.”
“Youcan’tkeepmefromher.”
“Ifitprotectsyou,thenyesIcan.”
“Shesavedme.Iknowshewasthere.”
“You had serious head trauma. And I’ve seen security tapes. There was no one there with her

description.”

“Iwon’tstayhereforever.WhenIgetout,I’mgoingtofindher.Ifyoumakemewaitthatlong,

youwon’tgetaweddinginvitation.Iswearit.”

“Awedding?Youcan’tbeserious.”
“About spending the rest of my life with Isa? I’m dead serious. About not inviting you to the

wedding,wellIcanbepersuadedtochangemymind.Ifyougivemeadamnphone.”

“Jake.”
“Mom.Phone.Now.”
“Fine,butIreallyamtryingtoprotectyou.”

“Idon’tneedyourprotection,”Isay,holdingoutmyhandforthephone.
IdialIsa’snumber,butitgoestovoicemail.Idon’twanttoleaveamessageonthere,soIusethe

browseronthephonetogetthenumberfortheFoundation.AlexGriffinanswersonthesecondring.

“HiAlex.It’sJakeMason.I’mtryingtogetintouchwithIsa.”
“OhmyGod,Mase.ImeanJake.Imean…whateveryournameis.She’sbeensoworried.”
“Youcancallmeeithername.Ihaven’thadaphoneuntilnowsoIcouldn’tcallher.Isshethere?”
“No.She…um,wellIshouldletyoutalktoReina.Holdon.”
“Sure.I’dlovetotalktoReina.”
“Hang up the phone, Jake. Please,” my mom says, and that’s when I know I’m not going to like

whatI’mabouttohear.Ishakemyheadandholdthephonetighter.

IttakeslessthanaminutebeforeReina’sontheline.“You’relookingforIsa,Mase?Didn’tyour

mothertellyouwheresheis?”

“No.Mymotherhaskeptmefromaphoneandtoldmenothing.”
Iglareather,andsheshrinksbeforemyeyes.ShemaycontroltheArmedForces,butshe’sdone

controllingme.WhatdidshedotoIsa?

“Maysgotawaywhenthehousewasraided.HetriedtotakeGracewithhim,butshemanagedto

gettousfirst.ThePresidentgavepermissionforhimtobetakendown,andyourmother…well,she
guiltedIsaintogoingafterhim.”

“MymothersentIsaafterBartlettMays?Howdidshemakeherfeelguiltyenoughtodoit?”
“Idon’tknowtheexactdetails.Iwasn’tthere.IonlyknowIsacamehomeandcriedfortwodays

straightbeforeshetolduswhathappened.”

“Shit.WhatdoyouknowaboutanythingelseinvolvingIsaandmymother?Ineedyoutotellme

everything.Anddon’tworryaboutDearOldMom.Shewon’tgoafteryouunlessshewantstonever
seemeagain.I’mputtingyouonspeakerphone.”

My mom sinks into the chair next to my bed and holds her head in her hands. We’re definitely

havingaserioustalkaboutboundarieswhenIgetoffthisphonecall.AfterIknowtheextentofwhat
she’sdone.ItoldherhowmuchIlovedIsa,soitmakeswhatevershedidtoherevenworse.

“Okay.Here’swhatIknow.Yourmotherhadalreadycontactedmyfiancéandhisfriendstohelp

youwhenyouweretaken.Theyhelpherwithsensitivemissionsfromtimetotimeapparently.After
yousavedTegan,sheburstintoourofficeswithafullmilitaryescortanddemandedtheygogetyou.
Isasaidshewasgoingtogowiththem.Shedidn’task,sheinsistedthatshebetheretohelpgetyou
outalive.Weallleftthemalonetotalkforafewminuteswhilewemadepreparations,andIthoughtit
wentwell.IsatoldourfriendStellathatyourmomapprovedofher,andthatonceshegotyouback,
everythingwouldbegreat.

“Andshedidgetyouback.Itwasallher,Mase.Shetookoutaguardinthehouseandthenallthree

whowerewithyouinthegym.Byherself.Whenwegotthere,shewasholdingyouinherarms.She
heldontoyouastheparamedicstookyourvitalsandgotyouontothegurney.Andthat’swhenitall
startedtogobad.”

“Shewasn’tatthehospitalwhenIwokeup.”
“No.Whenwewerewaitingoffsitewithlocallawenforcement,somemilitarymenjoinedus.We

thoughtitwasagoodthing.UntiltheyphysicallypriedIsa’shandsoffofyouandheldherbackwhile
youwereloadedontotheambulance.Theymadeherstaytobequestioned,eventhoughthelocalguys
had told me they could find her at the hospital and get her statement. We wanted to fight them, but
sincetheywerethereonbehalfofyoumother,andIcouldn’treachPOTUS,wehadtodowhatthey
said.

“When Isa was done, we rushed her to the hospital the paramedics had told us you’d be at. They

toldusthatyouweregonealready.ThatyouhadbeenmovedtoahospitalinVirginia.”

“My mother took me from her.” I look at her, and I know she feels my rage like it’s a physical

thing.“YoufuckingtookmefromIsaafterItoldyouIlovedher.Aftershesavedme.”

“Jake,please.”
Iignoreherfornow.“Sorryfortheinterruption,Reina.Pleasecontinue.”
“IgaveIsatheCorriganjetwehadwithus,andsheflewtoyou,alongwithourfriend,Jade.They

wouldn’t let her see you. There were military men there who told her that your mother had given
ordersforhertobekeptawayfromyou.Shewouldn’tleavethecity,though.Shesleptintheclosest
hotel to the hospital and watched every day until she saw you leave. She…um, she said there was a
beautifulbrunettewithyou,holdingyourhandwhenyoudid.”

“Brunette? Oh, you mean Vicki. She must’ve seen Vicki. She’s been my best friend since I was

five.”

“Andyourex.”
“Well,kindof.”
“Isa said the nurse in I.C.U. called her your girlfriend, and your mother told her you were back

togetherwhenshewenttothehousetotalktoher.”

“Isawashere?Inthehouse?”
“Yes.LikeIsaid,yourmothertoldheryouwerebackwithyouroldgirlfriendanddidn’twantto

see her. She told her you were caught up in what you were doing, and it made you feel things that
weren’treal.”Ihearhertakeadeepbreathandwatchasmymother ’seyespleadwithme.“Shetold
Isathatyourealizedyouneverreallylovedher.”

“No.No.Shecouldn’t.”Ilookather.“Youwouldn’tdothat.PleasetellmeReina’swrong.”
“She’snottheoneforyou.”
“IjusttoldyouIwanttomarryher,soyou’reobviouslyincorrect.”
“ButVickiismuchbetterforyou.”
I’msoangry,Ican’tevenrespond.
“Inhighschool,youwerethegoldencouple.”
“Wepretended to bethat to makeyou and her parentshappy. We weren’tinterested in each other

romantically.Wetriedtokissonce,anditwasgrossforbothofus.IfeltlikeIwaskissingmysister.”

“Shepracticallyflewtoyourbedside.”
“Becauseshe’smybestfriend.Stopgettingmeofftopic.IstillneedtoknowaboutthemissionIsa’s

on.Sorryagainforinterrupting,Reina.”

“Iunderstand.So,yeah.Allofthathappened,andthenyourmothertoldIsasomethingabouthowif

shereallylovedyou,shewouldmakesureMayscouldneverhurtyouagain.Shecameback,cried
overherbrokenheart,andthenwentafterhim.”

“You’reintouchwithher,right?YoucantellherIdoloveherandthatI’mcomingtoher.”
“That’sjustit.Shehasn’tcalledinforthepasttwodays,andshedoesn’tanswerwhenwecallher.

I’mgettingworriedbecauseshewentbyherselfwithanothergroupofguysyourmotheruses.”

No.Shedidn’t.Shewouldn’t.ButI’velearnedthatshewould.
“Whereisshe,Mom?”
“Ionlywantedthebestforyou.”
“Ifshe’shurt,I’llneverforgiveyou.”
“She’snothurt.”
Yet.Ihearthatunspokenword.“Stopwhateveryouhaveplannedandgetherbackheretome.”
“I’msorry.”
“I don’t want to hear that right now,” I tell her. I speak to Reina again. “I’m going to have her

broughthere,Reina.I’llcallyouassoonasIknowanythingelse.”

“Thankyou.AndLiz?YoucanforgetabouteveraskingMatt,Nate,orAidenforhelp.That’snot

goingtohappen.AndnooneintheSocietywilltakeacallfromyoueveragain.”

“Reina,youcan’tdothat.”
“Ijustdid.”
“I’llgotoJane.”
“I’ve been on this call from the beginning, Liz. What you have done to Isa is unforgivable. She

lovesyoursonandriskedherownlifetosavehim.Nottomentionthatgoingafteroneofmygirls
wasthestupidestthingyou’veeverdone.Itwillneverbeforgiven,andasReinatoldyou,nohelpwill
begiventoyoueveragain.I’vealreadydiscussedthiswiththePresident.”

Mymomgoespale,andIthinkshemaypassout.Good.Iloveher,butGodhelpme,Idon’tknow

thatIcanforgiveherforwhatshe’sdone.Thatshediditinthenameofherloveformemakesiteven
worse.

“I’mgoingtogetoffthisphone,soshecancallherdogsoffandgetourgirlbackhere.I’lltalkto

yousoon.”

IhangupandturntothewomanIusedtothinkhungthemoon.“Makethecall.”

***

Isa

This mission has been weird and stressful. I mean, all missions are stressful, but this one’s

different.Foronething,I’mworkingwithstrangerswhotookmyphone.Andthenthere’sthefactthat
I’m doing it with a broken heart, which is not the mindset anyone should be in when conducting a
mission.Unlesssaidmissionistokillthepersonwhotorturedthemanyoulove.Thenitworkspretty
well.

So well in fact that the target didn’t even see it coming. I got the Secretary of State alone by

practicallyclimbingontohislapinhisfavoritepubhereinDublin.Oncewewereinhisroom,Ijust
hadtostartstrippingbeforehetoldhisguards—whoareactuallyherewithme—towaitoutside.A
singleshottotheheadwasallittook.IshouldbeonmywaybacktotheStatesalready.Butit’shardto
dothatwhensomeone’spointingagunatyou.

I underestimated the lengths Liz Mason would go to in order to make sure I stay away from her

son.Shealreadytoldmehedoesn’tloveme,soIdon’tknowwhyshethinksI’dcomearoundagain.
But apparently she does because two from this special team of hers pulled guns on me when they
cameintheroom.Thethirdissettingupthescenethewaywehadplanned.Althoughtherewillnow
betwobodiesforthelocalpolicetofind,insteadofjustone.

IfIgivein,thatis.Whichwouldbesoeasytodo.ButI’veneverbeenonetotaketheeasywayout.

I’mworkingthroughallthepossiblescenariosinmyhead,whenaphonestartstoring.Theguyin
charge,theonewho’ssettingthescene,answerswhilelookingatme.

“Everythingwentasplanned.I’mjustsettingthescene.”
Helistensforamomentandthenresponds.
“No.We’vegotgunsonher,butshe’snotdeadyet.”
Iwanttoheartheothersidetothisconversation.Iwishhewouldputitonspeaker.Hedoesn’t,of

course,butIreallywishhewould.

“What? Are you sure? You sound like you’re under duress. Is someone making you say this,

Ma’am?”

NowIreallywanttoknowwhat’sgoingon.
“What?Ohhey.How’sitgoing?”

Thesmileslipsfromhisface,andhiseyesgoeswideashelistens.
“Shit.I’lltakecareofit.Noworries,man.Seeyousoon.”
He hangs up and tells the other guys to lower their guns. “We have a change in plans, guys. The

beautifulIsabellehereisJake’swoman.Hismommydidn’tlikethat,soshewasgoingtohaveustake
her out. After she did the dirty work for her. Which she knows how to do because she’s also a
member of the infamous Society. And like a little sister to Matt Corrigan, Aiden Ford, and Nate
Anderson.”

“Fuck. Jake, the Society, and the Triple Threat? We’d have no chance at staying alive no matter

wherewetriedtohide,”hisfriendsays.

“Thatwoulddependonwhethertheguysorthegirlsfoundyou.Theyguyswouldprobablykick

your asses a little, and then kill you. The girls would hurt you bad, but keep you alive. If it helps,
though, I’m not Jake’s woman anymore. He’s back with his ex. So he wouldn’t care,” I tell them,
tryinghardtoactnonchalantaboutthiswholesituation.

“That’snotwhathesaidonthephone.We’retogetyousafelybacktoVirginia.AndI…we…well,

we’resorryaboutallthis.Takingyourphone,and,youknow,theguns.”

“Youwerefollowingorders.Igetthat.Justdon’texpectustobebestfriendsafterthis.”
“Gotit.Although,you’reaprettycoolchick,Isabelle.”
“Thanks.”
Theyfinishupwiththeroom,andthenweallheadtotheairport.Theygivemeawideberthonthe

plane,leavingmetomyownthoughts.NumberoneofwhichiswhyJakewouldsayI’mhiswoman.
Hedidn’tneedtodoittosaveme.TheSocietyandthe“TripleThreat”would’vebeenenough.Iguess
I’llaskhimwhenIseehim.

I also think about what’s been going on at home while I was gone. Once I got my phone back, I

called Reina to check in and see how everything’s been going. A lot has gone on since I was fully
functioning,andIfeelbadthatmyfriendshadtodoitallwithoutme.Reinatoldmethateveryonewas
happytohelp.

Aftertheraid,TegangotherpunchforKurtin,whileIwasalittletoodistractedtocareanymore.

Hisfathertriedtobuyhimoutofjailtime,butitdidn’twork.He’sbeingtriedasanadult,andbail
was denied while he waits for his trial. He sang like a canary while trying to work a plea deal.
Working with Al and Cathy from the local PIT team, authorities in all the other cities were able to
shutthoseorganizationsdown.

My friends got Max and Grace into counseling. When the school found out what was going on,

they granted Max her scholarship for the next year without question. If they hadn’t, I would’ve just
paid her tuition. But it’s the least they can do. Literally. I also asked Reina to use some of our
connections to make sure she gets a place at one of her dream schools once she graduates. She
assuredmethatMaxisalltakencareofinthatdepartment.

The high school wanted to kick Grace out, but Ellie intervened so they’re allowing her to stay.

She’sonstrictprobation,andfromwhatIwastold,she’sokaywiththat.Hermomwashorrifiedby
whathappenedandhasvowedtopaymoreattentiontoherdaughter.

Wesavedalotofgirlsthistimearound.Ishouldbedancingandcelebrating.ButIcan’t.SoIdothe

onlythingthatwillmakemestopstressingaboutwhat’sgoingtogodownonceweland.Ifallasleep.

CHAPTER17

Isa

WhileIwassleeping,someoneplacedablanketoverme.Iknowthisbecauseitshiftsontopofme

asI’mbeinggentlyshakenawake.“Wejustlanded,”theguyinchargetellsme.

Ithankhimandstandup.AsI’mwalkingtothecabindoor,Ihearastringofexpletives.WhenIstep

outside,Iseewhy.Allthegirls,aswellastheguys,areheretomeetme.Irundownthestairsandam
quicklyengulfedinagiantgrouphug.I’msogladtoseeallofthem.

Matt’svoice,whichsoundslikeitcouldcutice,ringsoutnexttome.“Whichofthesebastardsheld

agunonyou,Isa?”

“Look, Matt. We were just following orders. You have to understand that. I know you haven’t

agreedwitheveryassignmentyou’vebeensenton.”

“It’snottheirfault,Matt,”Itellhim.
“Fine,butlookatallofthesewomenveryclosely.Andknowthatifyouweretoeverhurtoneof

them,I’dhuntyoutotheendsoftheEarth.”

“Wegotit.We’llstayawayfromthem.Ifyouwanttoknowthetruth,theyscareusmorethanthe

threeofyoudo.”

“Smartmen,”Reinasayswithalaugh.
“Whatnow?”Iaskaftertheyleaveusalone.
“We’regoingtogotothehousehereandgetyouallprettifiedsoyoucangoseeyourmanandhis

evilmommy.”

“Idon’thaveaman,Stella.”
“Talktohim,Isa,”Reinasays.
“Isthatanorder?”
“Ifithastobe,thenyes.”
IjustwanttogobacktoVegasandhide,butsinceIcan’tdothat,IletStellahaveherwaywithme.I

mustadmitthatthedressshepickedformeiskindofperfect.Andshejustpullsmyhairbackintoa
sleekponytail.TheshoesareblackandwhitewithhighheelsthatIcanactuallywalkin.I’mdressedto
killafteralmostbeingkilled.

The irony isn’t lost on me as I ring the doorbell after being let through the gates of the Mason

familyestate.LasttimeIwasheredidn’tgosowellforme,andI’mexpectingtodaytobeevenworse.
ThebutlerletsmeinandshowsmetothesameofficeIsatinlasttime.Andjustlikethattime,it’sLiz
Masonwaitingformeinside.

“Nicedress,Isa.”
“Thankyou,Ma’am.Ilikeit.”
HermouthquirksupintoalittlesmileatthesmalldigIjustmanaged.“Pleasesitdown.”
“I’dratherstand.”
“Okay.I…well,Ineedtoapologizetoyou.”
“For?”

“EverythingthathashappenedsinceImetyou.ImeantwhatIsaidaboutyoubeingworthyofmy

son.Ijustneverplannedonlettingyoubewithhim.IblamedyouforhimbeingindangerbecauseI
didn’t want to admit that I actually shouldered much of that blame myself. When he came to me, I
shouldn’thavebeensoencouragingtohimaboutplayingalong.Iknowhewould’vedoneitanyway,
butifI’dobjected,hemighthavebeenmorecareful.”

“Orhewould’vedoneexactlywhathedidwithyoursupportandencouragement.”
“There’salwaysthat.ButIblamedhisloveforyou,whenIshould’vebeencelebratingit.Heloves

you so much, Isa. It scares me because I never want my son to put himself in a position where he
couldlosehislifebecausehe’ssacrificingitforsomeoneelse.”

“Andthat’swhathedidwithme.”
“Yes.Thenyousavedhim,andIjustwantedyougone.You’reastrongwoman,Isa,andIdidn’tlike

that.Ididn’tlikethatyou’dstanduptome.”

“Butyoulikeitnow?”
“IfI’mbeinghonest,it’sgoingtotakesomegettingusedto.ButlikeIsaid,mysonlovesyou.And

Ilikeyouverymuch.You’reonehellofawoman.”

“Yourhusbandmighthateme.”
“No. Jake talks about you non-stop. He has his father thinking you’re the greatest thing since

Google.”

“Youtoldmehedidn’treallyloveme,”Isay.
“Ilied.”
“Andtheex?Vicki?”
“She’snooneforyoutoworryabout.”
“CanIseehim?Ineedtohearallthisfromhim.Ibelievedyouonce,anditkindofdestroyedme.

ForgivemeifIcan’ttrustyouagain.”

“There’snothingtoforgiveonmyend.Ireallyamsorry,andIhopewecanbefriendsoneday.”
“Maybeoneday.”
“Jakeisinthesunroom.Justgostraightdownthehallandyou’llrunintoit.”
I nod and head down the hall. I push open the door and stop short. I knew I couldn’t trust Liz.

Because Jake has his arms around the girl she just told me not to worry about. I don’t even realize
I’vemadeanoiseuntiltheyquicklybreakapartandlooktowardsme.

“Isa,”hesaysashestandssuddenly.“This…itisn’t…it’snotwhatitlookslike.”
“Itlookslikeyouwereholdingyourex-girlfriend.”
“Well,yeah.Butitwasnothing.”
“Iguessourdefinitionsof‘nothing’arealittledifferent.”
“Are you going to introduce me to the great and wonderful Isa, or do I have to do it myself

asshole?”

Wellthat’sdifferent.Iholdoutmyhand.“Hi.I’mIsa.Notgreatorwonderful,justIsa.”
“I’m Vicki. And honey, you need to own the adjectives because from what I’ve been told, there

aren’tenoughintheEnglishlanguagetodescribeyourawesomeness.”

“Heshouldn’ttalkaboutmelikethatwhenhe’sdatingyou.”
“’He’isrighthere,andVickiareIaredefinitelynotdating.She’smybestfriend.Hasbeensincewe

werefive.”

“Younevermentionedyourbestfriend.”
“Ididn’ttellyoualotofthingsIshouldhave.I’dliketoremedythatifyou’llbelievemewhenIsay

mymomliedtoyou.Ineverdoubtedmyloveforyou.AndIneverwill.”

“Shetoldmeshelied,butIwasn’tsurewhattobelieve.”

“Helovesyou.Likefallonhisswordlovesyou.Whichheapparentlyalreadydid,ortriedtodo

beforeyousavedhissorryass,”Vickitellsme.

“Myassisverynice,anditdoesn’tappreciateyoudisparagingit.”
“Yourassspeaksforitselfnow?”sheaskshimwithalaugh.
“I’veneverheardittalk,butitisverynice,”Isay.
“Onthatnote,I’mgoingtoleavethetwoofyoualonetocompareassesorwhatever.I’llalsofind

anotherdatefortheballtomorrow,sinceI’mexpectingyoutotakemynewfriendhere.”

“Ball?”
“It’storture,Isa.Savemefromthetorture.”
IlookatVickiwithaneyebrowraised.“Theydotendtobeprettyawful,butwe’llmakeitfunfor

ourselves.Iloveyourdress,bytheway.”

“Thanks.Iworeitinhonorofmyfavoriteteacher.”
The dress is a blank tank style that goes past my knees. It’s covered in what looks like chalk

drawings,words,andequations.Itreallydoesremindmeofthemanwho’snowsittinginthechairin
frontofme.IworeitbecauseIwillalwaysrememberourtimeinVegas,evenifthingsdon’twork
outhere.WhichInowthinkmaybetheycould.

***

Jake

She’shere.ThankGodshe’shere.Whenmymomcalledherguyandhesaidthereweregunson

her, I almost stopped breathing. If we’d called even five minutes later, this extraordinary woman in
frontofmewouldbedead.

“Iwouldn’tnecessarilybedead,Jake.”
“What?”
“I can see on your face that you’re thinking about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t called.

Yes,Imight’vedied,butIwasn’tgoingdownwithoutafight,soImight’velived.”

“Youshouldn’thaveeverbeeninthatposition.”
“No.Ishouldn’thave.She’sverybeautiful.”
Huh?Who?Ohfuck.Mymomneedsanewhobby.“Justafriend,Isa.Mybestfriend,butthat’sit.I

swear.”

“Isawherleavingthehospitalwithyou,holdingyourhand.”
“Thatshould’vebeenyou.Iwantedittobeyou.”
“Youdidn’tcall.”
“Mymomkeptallthephonesfromme.Ithreatenedherintogivingmeoneyesterday.”
“I-Ithoughtyoudidn’tcare.”
“Never.TherecouldneverbeatimewhenIdon’tcare.WhenIdon’tloveyou.I’llloveyouuntil

thedayIdie.”

“Youalmostdid.”
“Untilmysexy,badassgirlfriendrescuedme.”
“Iwantedtokeepyouaroundalittlelonger.”
Justalittle?“Howlong?”
“Iwasthinkingaboutforever.”
Oh yeah. We’re on the same page. “I love your dress by the way. Not as much as I love what’s

underneathit,butIhadtotellyouthat.”

“Iwanttokissyou,Jake.”

“Good.BecauseImightdierighthereinthischairifyoudon’t.”
ShetakesthosepreciousstepsovertowhereI’msitting,andIpullherdownontomylap.Herarms

goaroundmyneck,butshepullsbackwhenIleanin.IrubherhipswithmythumbsasIwaitforher
tobeready.

“Thisisokay,right?Imean,you’reokaywithmeonyourlap?”
That’swhyshe’swaiting?Ialmostlaughoutloud.“Myribsarestillhealing,andI’malittleweak,

whichiswhyIdidn’truntoyouwhenyouwalkedinhere,andwhyIhadtositdownagain.Noneof
thatisgoingtostopmefromkissingyounow.Ortakingyouuptomyroomtoravishyourhotbody
inalittlewhile.”

“Notinyourparents’house.”
“Theywon’tcare.”
“You’refunny.Not.”
“Fine.Mymomwouldcare.We’llgotomyapartmentinsteadifitmakesyoumorecomfortable.

ButIwillbeinsideyoutoday.”

“Willyounow?”
Oh. I shouldn’t have assumed. “Um, maybe. Or I guess no. I should’ve asked if you wanted that,

too.”

Sheleansoverandsuckslightlyonmyneck.“Iwantit.Butfirstlet’shavethatkiss.”
Iusemyhandsonherwaisttopullheragainstmeassheleansdownandtakesmymouthwithhers.

It’slittlekissesfirst,buttherearesometonguesandteethinvolvedasweplaywitheachother.Those
littlelicksandnipssetmeonfireandImovemyhandshigherasIfinallydeepenthekiss.

Idon’tknowhowmuchtimehaspassed,butmyshirtisoffandmyhandsareinsideherdresswhen

athroatclears.IremovemymouthfromherlongenoughtosaywhatIhaveto.“Goaway.”

Ireclaimhermouthandhopetheylisten.I’mnotstoppingiftheydon’t.Letthemhaveafucking

show.Idon’tcare.IneedIsa.Ourtwoweeksapartfeltliketwolifetimes.

“Isabelle!Stopthisnow.”
Shepracticallyjumpsoffmylapandturnstowardtheunfamiliarvoice.“Father?”sheasksshakily.
“Thisiswhyyoushouldstillbeathome.Youcouldbeworkingattheuniversityanddatinganice

boy.OneyourmotherandIapproveof.Notbehavinglikesomeshamelesshussy.Comewithme.”

“Don’ttalkaboutherlikethat,”Iwarnhim.
“I’llspeaktomydaughterhoweverIseefit.Nowlet’sleave,Isabelle.”
Shit.Thisisn’tgoingtogomyway.Whatshe’stoldofmeofherparentshasshownmethatthey

takepleasureincontrollingher.Andshe’salwaysletthem.

AsIwatchher,Irealizethatmaybeshe’snotgoingtolistenthistime.Shestraightensherspineand

adjustsherglassesbeforespeaking.

“Ilovemyjob.I’mnotgoingwithyou.AsforJake,he’sthenicestguyIknow.Ican’tmakeyou

approveofhim,butthat’syourproblem,notmine.”

“That foundation and those women who work there did this to you. I’ve heard about Matthew

Corrigan.Haveyousleptwithhim,too?”

Sheburstsoutlaughing.“SleptwithMatt?No?”
“Youdon’thavetolaughsohardaboutit,DoubleG,”themaninquestionsays,walkingintothe

room.

“YesIdo.You’relikeabrothertome,andyou’remarryingoneofmybestfriends.”
“Whenyouputitthatway,itisprettyfunny.Youknowhowmuchyoumeantome.”
“Yetyoucallherbysomedemeaningnickname,”herfathertellshimwithasneer.
I’mnotlettingthisgoonemuchlonger.Iwanthertostandupforherself,butIalsoneedtogive

hermysupport.OnceI’mnotwalkingaroundwithasteelpipeinmyjeans,ofcourse.That’sthereal

reasonI’mstillsitting.

“GirlGeniusisaninsult?”Mattasks.
“I-Ithoughtyouwerejokingabout…well,herlessthanstellarassets.”
“Thanksforpointingthemouttoeveryone,Father.”
Idostandthen.Hard-onbedamned.“Ifindyourassetswonderfullystellar,babe.”
“Weallsawyourhandsinherdress,soIdon’tthinkthatwasinquestion,Son.”
Mydadissmirkingatme.Hiseyesaretwinkling,too.Iknowhe’shappyformethatIsa’shere.I’ve

toldhimallabouthowamazingsheis.Ineedtointroducethemproperly.

“Isa,thisismydad,Bill.Dad,thisisIsa.”
“Hello,Isa.It’snicetofinallymeetthewomanmysoncan’tstoptalkingabout.”
“It’sgreattomeetyou,too.”
“I’msorryaboutmywife.Shetakesthemotherlionthingalittletoofarsometimes.Butshethinks

you’reprettygreat.Evenifshedoesn’tshowit.”

“Alittleisanunderstatement,butIcanhandleher.Oh,andFather,thisismyboyfriend,Jake.Jake,

thisismyfather.”

“YoumayrefertomeasMr.Carlton.Ican’tsayit’sapleasuretomeetyou.”
“Ihopetochangeyourmind.Idon’tthinkIcantotallychangetobewhatyouwant,butthere’sgot

tobeacompromisewecanmake.”

“No,”Isasays.“You’renotgoingtobeanythingbutwhoyouare,Jake.Youhelpedmerealizethat

being the person I am is okay, and I won’t let you do anything but be yourself. You don’t need to
impressmyparents.”

“Isabelle,onceyou’rebackhome,you’llrealizehowwrongthisyoungmanisforyou.”
“Whatexactlydoyoufindwrongwithme,Mr.Carlton?”Iask.ItmaynotmattertoIsa,butIwant

toknow.

Hestartstickingthemoffonhisfingers,andIalmostburstoutlaughing.Almost.“Youaremuch

older than her. You’ve been with more women than necessary. You live off your parent’s money
insteadofhavingajobofyourown.Youuseyourfistsmorethanyourmind.Andyoucan’tpossibly
haveanythingincommonwithmydaughter.”

It’smyturntotickthingsoffonmyfingersnow.“IamolderthanIsa,butbylessyearsthanIcan

count on my hands. And yes, I do use my hands to count sometimes. It wouldn’t matter if I had to
includemytoes,though.IloveIsamorethanlife.Literally.

“As for being with other women, yes I have played the field in the past. If Isa develops a time

machineoneday—ortheDoctorletsmeborrowhis—I’llgobackandchangethat.Yourdaughteris
theonlyoneIwantfortherestofmylife.

“Icancombinethenexttwoofyourproblemswithme.Idon’tliveoffmyparentsandIdoindeed

usemybrainquitefrequently.Ihadtoprojectthatimageofanaimlessplayboytohidemyrealjob,
whichwasinmilitaryintelligence.Infact,IhaveafairlyhighIQ.

“IsaandIlaughatthesamejokes,lovethesamemoviesandTVshows,andhaveafewotherthings

webothenjoy.Idon’twanttobewithawomanwho’sacarboncopyofme,oragreeswitheverything
Ido.Iwantthewomanwhomakesmeworkforher,andthengivesmeeverythingwhenIproveI’m
worthy.That’swhatyourdaughterdoesforme.”

Ihearasniffle,andlookovertoseeIsacrying.IwassofocusedonherfatherthatIdidn’tnotice.I

pullherintomyarmsandkissthesideofherhead.

“Thatwasonehellofaspeech,”Mattsaysinthesilencethatfollows.“Iwouldalmostswitchteams

andmarryyoumyself.”

Ifliphimoffashelaughs.Isa’slaughingnow,tooasshehugsmetight.Mydadissmiling,butIsa’s

fatherisnot.He’sstillglaringatme.

“Youhavesomenicewords,butIstilldon’tseehowthiswillwork.”
“Youdon’tneedtoseeit,”Isatellshimassheturnstofacehimagain.
“Comehome,Isabelle.”
“Iamhome,Father.Jakeismyhome.”
“We’llbetherewhenhe’sdonewithyouandtossesyouaside.Iwon’tsayItoldyouso,butI’llbe

expectingit.”

“Iguessthisprobablyisn’tagoodtimetoaskforherhandinmarriage,huh?”
“Youwon’tgetmyblessing.”
“Hedoesn’tneedit.Hehasmyblessing,”shetellsme.
Ilovethatshefeelsthisway,butIwantedherfamilytoacceptme.“Youhavemyblessingaswell,”

MaggieGriffinsaysfromthedoorway.Isa’sfriendsallfileinafterher,andthat’swhenIrealizethat
herfamilydoesacceptme.Nottheoneshewasbornwith,buttheoneshe’schosen.

“Thanks,Maggie.”
“Areyougoingtoaskmethen,Jake?”
“Iwantedtoplansomethingsuperromantic,butyouknowIcan’tdenyyouanything.”Idroptoone

kneeandtakeherhandinmine.“IsabelleCarlton,IloveyoumorethanIeverthoughtamancould
loveawoman.Ipromisetoneverbreakyourheartagain.I’maguy,soImaybruiseitalittle,butI
promisetokissitbettereverytime.Willyoudomethehonorofbeingmywife?”

“Aslongasyouincludesomegreatmake-upsexinthemakingitbetterpart,thenyes.Iwouldlove

tobeyourwife.”

IstandupandpullherintomyarmssoIcanwhispermyresponseinherear.“I’mgoingtogreat

make-upsexyouintonextmonthonceIcangetusoutofhere.”

“Pleasedo.”
Wekissasherfriendsclapandwhistle.Whenwebreakapart,herfatherisgone.Iseeaglimmerof

sadnesspassthroughhereyes,andmyhearthurts.Mydadpullsherintoabigbearhug,andhereyes
sparkleagain.Imoutha“thankyou”tohim,andhenods.

My mom walks up behind me and squeezes my arm. “Congratulations, Jake. She’s a wonderful

woman.”

“Sheis.”
“I’mgoingtomakethisalluptobothofyou.I’msorry.”
“Justdon’ttrytokillmeagain,andwe’llbeokay,”Isatellsher.
TheyhugasMattmotionsmeover.Italktohimforafewminutesandweshakeonwhathe’sjust

offered me. Then, I grab my fiancée and make a run for it. We love these people, but I need to be
alonewithher.Andabed.

CHAPTER18

Isa

Jake’sapartmentisactuallyatownhouseinanupscalepartofD.C.It’sdefinitelyaman’splace,with

leathercouchesandbigTVs.Butthere’salsoartandknickknacksfromalltheplaceshe’straveledto.
It’s what I think a modern day Indiana Jones’ place would look like. Well, without the dangerous
artifacts,butstill.It’ssoJake,andsexyashell.

“Myapartment’sturningyouon?Wehaven’tevengottentothebedroomyet.”
“What?No.”
“Youreyesgotdark,andyoulickedyourlipsafewsecondsago.”
“Fine.Ilikeyourstuff.”
“Iloveyourstuff.”
“Is that all you can think about?” I ask, pretending that I haven’t been thinking the exact same

thoughtssinceIsawhimearlier.

“Rightnow,allIcanthinkaboutismakinglovetoyou.”
“Soitwon’tbeslowandsweetthen?”IaskasIcrookmyfingertobeckonhimovertome.
Heswallowshardbeforeanswering.“Itcouldbe.”
“No,”Itellhim,pullinghimdownontopofmeasItumbleintothecouchcushions.
“Thebed’supstairs.”
“We’llgettothatlater.”
“God,Iloveyou.”
“Iknow.Iloveyou,too.”
We don’t speak again until our clothes are off—or at least moved around enough to make this

happen.WhisperedwordsandpromisesaresharedasJakeentersmeforthefirsttimeinwhatfeels
likeforever.Iwrapmylegsaroundhim,diggingtheheelsofmyshoesintothatveryniceassofhis.
Thistimeisfastforbothofus,takingonlyafewminutesbeforewe’reyellinginsteadofwhispering,
butthewordsarenolesssweet.

Hourslater,we’resoakinginhisbigJacuzzitubwhenhebringsupwhathappenedathisparents’

house.“Areyouokay,babe?Yourdadwasprettyharsh.Ishould’veaskedyouthatmuchearlier,but
youhadmealittledistracted.”

“Mydadisalwaysharsh.AndIwastryingtodistractyou.Ididn’twanttotalkaboutit.”
“Wehaveto,youknow.Notnowifyoudon’twantto,butsometime.”
“Justlikewehavetotalkaboutyourmom.”
“Yeah.Wecanstartwithherifyouwant.OrlikeIsaid,talklater.”
“It’s probably better to get it over with. You know, in case you decide my family’s too much for

you.”

“Notgonnahappen.”
“Todaywasjustalittletasteofhowmyparentscanbe,Jake.”
“Mymotherputahitoutonyou,Isa.”
Ihavetosmile.Healwaysmakesmesmile.“Thereisthat.”

“Iwantedtopunchyourdadwhenhewascallingyounamesandtalkingaboutyour‘assets.’Ionly

heldbackbecauseIknewitwouldmakeitworseforyou.”

We’re starting with me, then. Time to rip the band aid off. “My parents deal in facts. Never

emotions.Myfatherdidn’tevenconsiderhowIwouldfeelwhenhetalkedaboutmebecauseheraised
menottofeel.Igrewupknowinghowtoprocessdataandmakerationaldecisions.Whenmyparents
talkedaboutme,itwasthesameway.IfIwasacertainheightandweight,Ieitherneededtoeatmore
or less. If my breasts weren’t as nice as my ass, then I needed to find a guy who liked asses, not
breasts.OrjustletthempickaguywhoseIQwashighenough,andwhowassuitablyimpressedwith
them. Because that’s what it comes down to—how good a job someone does at kissing their
proverbialrings.

“Bow down and you can go on a date with their daughter. Help them advance their academic

careers,andyoumightevengettomarryher.Lovedoesn’tplayapartbecauseI’mjusta‘thing’to
them.Somethingtomakethembetterthantheirfriends.Imadethemfamousintheircirclesbecause
myIQcouldn’tbemeasured.Now,I’macommoditytobetraded.OratleastIwasuntilyouthrewthat
wrenchintheirplans.”

“Ishould’vefuckingpunchedhim,”hetellsmeashekissesmyneck.“Andfortherecord,I’matits

andassmanwholoveseveryinchofyou.”

“You asking me to marry you, despite him refusing to give you his blessing, wounded him far

morethanapunchwouldhave.Andallmyinchesloveyourightback.”

“NowIknowwhyyouliketohide,butIhavetosaythatyouareoneofthemostcompassionate

peopleIhaveevermet.”

“Youwanttoknowhowthathappened?”
“Well,Iwatchedthatmovie,Matilda,whenIwasyounger,soIknowit’spossible.Butyeah,I’dlike

toknow.”

“OhmyGod,Matildaisoneofmyfavoritemoviesever.Sothankyouforthecomparison.”Iturn

a little to kiss him before continuing. “My parents kept me away from everyone my age, and most
people I went to school with as well. But I still saw things and learned things. I was fascinated by
socialjusticeissues,butknewtheywouldn’tapproveofmyinterestinanythingthatwasn’tconsidered
‘academic.’Ioftendidtworesearchpapersformyclasses.Onetoshowthem,andonethatIturnedin.

“Atsomepoint,myparentsjuststartedlookingatmygradesanddegrees,butcouldn’tbebothered

topayattentiontotheactualclassesormajors.That’swhenIstartedaddingintheonesthatinterested
me—women’s studies, world religions, multi-cultural studies and literature, and of course,
archaeology. I took some extra language classes, but I’ve been multi-lingual since I was little. I’ll
neverbeadeptatallofthemlikeReina,butIcangetbyinmostcountries.

“One of my professors was friends with Maggie Griffin. She looked at my classes, and degrees,

andaskedmetomeetwithher.ThefirsttimeIwenttoherhouse,Iknewwhatafamilyshouldreally
belike.SheandGarywelcomedmelikeIwastheirown.Andtheboys…well,they’relikemyown
brothers.Iwoulddoalmostanythingforthem,andIknowthey’ddothesameforme.Betweenthem,
andthewomenIworkwith,I’velearnedaboutdifferentvariationsoflove.

“And, of course, there was the time when I met this totally hot teacher…slash bad guy…slash

undercoverintelligenceagent…slashsonofoneofthemostpowerfulwomenintheworld.Hetaught
mehowitfeelstobelovedlikenooneelsematters.”

Jake lifts me and turns me around to straddle him. Instead of the kiss I’m expecting, he pulls me

tightlyagainsthiminahug.“That’sbecausenoonematterstomeasmuchasyou.I’msogladyou
feelitbecauseit’strue.You’reeverythingtome,andifthecityfellaroundus,Iwouldn’tgivetwo
fucksaslongasIhadyouinmyarms.I’msosorrythatyouhadtogooutsideyourbiologicalfamily

inordertodiscoveryourrealfamily,butI’mgladyoufoundallofthem.Andme.IthankGodevery
daythatyouwentundercoverandfoundme.”

“Let’stalkaboutyourmomlater,”ItellhimasIreachbetweenustoguidehimbackinsideofme.

“RightnowIjustwanttoshowyouhowthankfulIamforyou,too.”

***

Jake

Theygivemedalsformarathonsandtriathlons,butwhere’smyawardforthesexathonIcompleted

afewhoursago?Ididn’teventhinkitwashumanlypossibletoorgasmthatmanytimes.NotthatI’m
complaining. I just want a shiny medal to recognize my endurance. And maybe a week’s worth of
sleep.

Sleep’sgoingtohavetowaitsincethere’ssomethingweneedtodobeforetheballtonight.Irun

myfingersthroughIsa’shairasIkissthetopofherhead.Idon’twanttostartleherawake,butshe
doesneedtogetup.

“Seriously,Jake?Again?I’monlymortal,youknow.”
“Excuseme,butlasttimeitwasyouwhostartedit.Andyourbrainisdefinitelysuper-human.”
“Youcanevenupthescorelater.”
“I’maheadintheorgasmdepartmentifIremembercorrectly.”
“Icouldprobablyusemyhand.Mymouthwouldrequiremetomovemyentirebody,sothathasto

beoutfornow.”

She’ssofuckingadorable.“WhileIappreciatebothoffers,andwilldefinitelybetakingyouupon

atleastonelater,I’mwakingyouupbecauseIhaveanerrandtorunandthenwebothhavesomething
topickupbeforetheball.”

“Nowedon’t.Stellaalreadygaveusmydress,shoes,andwhateverelseshedeemednecessary.It’s

inthebackseatofyourcar.”

Yes,herdressandshoesarethere.IdidbringinthesmallbagStellatolduswasforifwedecided

togooutsideduringthedaytoday,though.“Youneedaring.”

“NoIdon’t.”
“IknowIgothitintheheadafewtimeswhilewewereinMilwaukee,andI’mnotfullyrecovered

fromthesextahonwehad,butIwasprettysureyousaidyou’dmarrymeyesterday.”

“Sexathon?Areyouhopingforamedalbycallingitthat?”
“Actually,yes.Butwecangettothatlater.Marriage,woman,marriage.Focus.”
“I quite happily accepted your marriage proposal yesterday, but I don’t need a ring. You should

save your money until you decide what you want to do now. Unless you’re going to still work for
yourmom.Andoh,wehaven’teventalkedaboutwhereyou’regoingtolive.Imean,Ican’texpect
youtogiveupyourlifehere.OryourIndianaJonesbachelorpad.”

Shelookslikeshe’sonthevergeofapanicattackasshesuddenlysitsup,clutchingthesheettoher

chest.ThisisnotgoingatalllikeIplanned.Butreally,whendoesanythinggothewayIplanit?

“Breathe,Isa,breathe.Onethingatatime.Youdoneedaring,andmoneyisnoobject.Let’sjustbe

clearaboutthatbeforeItakeyoutothejewelrystore.I’mbuyingyouwhateverringyouwant.”

“How is money no object? You told my dad that you don’t live off your parents and this place

couldn’thavebeencheap.”

“While I never lived off my parents once I became an adult, I did receive my trust from my

grandfatherwhenIturnedtwentyfive.Iusedthattopayoffthisplace,mycar,andallmyotherbills.
Therestisstillinthebank,alongwithagoodchunkofthemoneyImadeworkingforthemilitary

and my mom. I donate a percentage of the money, as well as the interest I earn on it, to various
charities.There’sstillabigamountleftafterthat.Asforthefuture,MattofferedmeajobatCorrigan
&Co.HesaidAiden’sleavingforatleastalittlewhile,andhethinksI’dbeagoodfitwithhimand
Nate.Ifitworksout,I’dstayonwhenAidenreturns.Thepayheofferedmeismorethanenoughfor
metoliveon.Foradecade.”

“You’rereallygoingtomovetoVegas?”
“Yes.EvenifIdidn’thavethatjob,I’dbemovingthere.It’swheremyhomeis.”
“Me?”Inod.“They’llgiveyouyourownapartmentinourbuilding.Unlessyouwantto…um,you

know.”

“DoIknow?”Ido,butsometimesit’sfuntoplaydumb.
“Yourstuffwouldlookniceinmyapartment.”Therewego.
“MyIndianaJonesstuffthatmakesyouhorny?”
Insteadofgettingembarrassed,shehitsmewithapillowaswebothlaugh.“Yes,thatstuff.”
“Iagree.NowI’mgoingtogotakecareofmyerrandwhileyoutalktoyourgirls.”
“Idon’tneedtotalktothem.”
“Uh-huh.Justmakesuretomentionmyendurancelevelduringthesexathon,”Itellherasshelobs

anotherpillowatme.

Aftersomekissingandgroping,followedbymebringinghergownandotherstuffinside,Imake

mywaydownthestreettotakecareofmyerrand.It’ssomethingIdecidedtodoafterwehadourtalk
lastnight,andIhavetoadmitthatI’malittlenervousasIwalkuptothedoor.ButIneedthis,sohere
Iam.

“Hi,Jake.Pleasecomein,”GaryGriffinsaysasheopensthedoortohisownD.C.townhome.

***

Isa

Twocanplaythisgame.Jake’soffonhissecreterrand,soIplanoneofmyown.I’mnotsurehow

muchtimeIhave,butDarcyfoundmeaplaceclosebysoI’mheadedtherenow.Stellapackedmemy
favorite dress and boots, so I feel confident and sexy, which is good because I’d normally be
embarrassedtoaskforwhatIneed.Orjustnotgogetitatall.

ThankstoDarcy’sconnections,IgetwhatIneedwithonlyashortwait.Igetoutofthecabbackat

Jake’srightashe’swalkingupthestreet.He’sgotacoffeecupinhishand,andasmileonhisface.

IsmilebackasIseehimlookmeoverfromthetoesofmychunkyheeledblackbootstothetopof

myshortblackdresswiththeoversizedpocketsinfront.Oneofthosepocketsishidingmysurprise,
soI’mextrathankfulforittoday.

“IlikethesexyLaraCroftlook,”hesaysashesipshiscoffee.
“Well,youwereraidingmytomballnight,”Ireply,causinghimtospitoutthedrinkhejusttook.
“Jesus,babe.Wheredidthatcomefrom?”
“Ithoughtyoulikedmebeingbold.”
“Ido.Iseriouslydo.ButIalsothinkIcreatedamonster.”
Ilookpointedlyatthefrontofhisjeans.“Isitgrowingrightnow?”
“Youknowitis.Wehavearingtobuy,though,soit’sgoingtohavetowaituntillater.”
“I need to buy some new panties, too. The ones I’m wearing are just a little…wet,” I tell him,

lickingmylips.

“IsabelleCarlton,you’regoingtobethedeathofme.”
“Beenthere,donethat,killedsomebadguys.”

“Holyfuckingshit.ThisisthehottestconversationI’veeverhadinmylife.Andwe’rebothfully

clothed.”

“Fornow.”
He walks by me, slapping my butt in the process. “For such a brilliant woman, you seem to be

havingalotoftroublefocusingonthingstoday.NowgetinthecarsoIcantakeyoutotheshopwith
allthesparklythings,andyoucangetwhateveryouwant.”

“Youdidnotjustsay“sparklythings”insteadofjewelry.”
“Idid,andyou’reillustratingmypointexactly.Ialsosaidyoucouldgetwhateveryouwant.Most

womenwouldfocusonthat,butnotyou.Ohno.Youhavetoteasemeaboutmywordchoice.”

“IalreadyknowI’mgettingaring,Watson.”
“Ididn’tsayyoucouldgetaring.Isaid‘whateveryouwant.’AndI’mmoreofaMoriarty,thank

youverymuch.”

“AslongasI’mSherlock.”
“Ofcourse,BeautifulCourtesan.”
Hedidnotjustgothere.Ipunchhiminthearmashelaughs.“Don’tmakemehurtyou,”Itellhim

likethetrueCumberbitchthatIam.

“You can spank me tonight. I’ve been a very bad boy, making fun of the great Benedict

Cumberbatch’snameandall.”

“Justdrive.”

CHAPTER19

Jake

I skip the big name and fashionable jewelry stores and take Isa to a small shop I’ve seen while

walkingaroundinthepast.Italwayshasinterestinganddifferentlookingjewelryinthewindows.I
thinkIsawillfindsomethingthatsheloves.Ifnot,I’lltakehersomewhereelse.Westillhaveafew
hoursbeforewehavetogetreadyfortheball.

“Wow.Ilovethisplacealready,”shetellsmewhenwewalkup.
“Ithoughtyouwould.”
“Haveyouboughtalotofthingshere?”
“Fishing?”
“Maybe.”
“No.Ihaveneverboughtanythinghere.Ihave,however,boughtnecklacesforwomenI’vedatedat

Tiffany.Actually,thesamenecklace.IthoughtitwascoolwhenIwasyounger,andthegirlsseemed
tolikeit."

“I’msuretheydid.Iimaginethatthe‘JakeMasonnecklace’wasabadgeofhonor.”
“Morelikedishonor,butwhocares.Ionlywanttobuysparklythingsforyounow.”
“Thereyougoagain,usingthoseprettywords.AndIknowyouonlywantme.Iwasjustcurious,

notjealous.”

“Myheartiswoundedbyyourlackofjealousyonmybehalf.”
“IwasjealousofVicki.Isn’tthatenough?”
Iturnheraroundtolookatme.“YouknowImeantitwhenIsaidshe’sjustmyfriend,right?”
“IsaidIwasjealous,notthatIam.Ithinkmenandwomencanbefriends.Ihavesomeawesome

guyfriends.”

“Justwantedtobesure.Otherwomenhaven’tbeensocomfortablewithher.”
“I’mnevergoingtobelikeotherwomen,Jake.Ithoughtyouknewthat.”
“Ido.It’swhatIlovemostaboutyou.Nowlet’sgoinsideandfindthatring.Andotherthings.”
“Aring.Justaring.”
“Yousaythatnow,butIalreadysawyouadmiringthethingsinthewindow.”
“IcouldbuythemformyselfifIwantedto.Iamactuallyquitewealthy,youknow.”
“Ididn’tknow,butIsuspected.Pleaseletmespoilyoujustalittle.”
“Maybe.”
That’sbetterthana‘no’soI’lltakeitfornow.Iholdthedoorforherandwatchherjawdropaswe

stepinside.Itisaprettyspectacularsightwithallthegemsondisplay.Iletherwanderforamoment
untilIhearit.

“OhmyGod.It’sjust…wow.”
Ihurrytohersideandlookdownatherring.Ithasagiantpinkdiamondinthemiddle,surrounded

bydiamondscrollwork,anddiamondflowersontheside.Diamondsalsoflowdownthebandonboth
sides.

“Youwon’tbeabletohidewiththatonyourfinger.”

“What?No.It’stoomuch.Iknowit’stoomuch.”
“Foryoutowear?”
Sheshakesherhead.“I’dwearit.Iwouldn’tevencareifpeoplelookedatme.It’sthemostbeautiful

andperfectringI’veeverseen.Butthepricehastobeastronomical.”

“We’dlikethisring,”Itellthemanbehindthecounter,beforelookingbacktoher.“It’syours,Isa.I

toldyoumoneydoesn’tmatter.Idon’tcareifthisringcostseverythingIhaveinthebank.It’sgoing
onyourfingerrightnow.”

“Youcanbemykeptmanifittakeseverything.”
Fuckyeah.“Deal.”
Theringtakesanicechunkoutofmysavings,butdoesn’tevencomeclosetoallofit.Ipayforit

rightaway,callingmycreditcardcompanytoletthemknowthattherewillbemorechargescoming.
Ididn’twanttowaittoputitonherwhilewelookedaroundsomemore.Islideitonherfingerand
thenkissherhand.

“Ijustalmostswooned.Likeseriously,felltothefloorswooned,”shetellsme
“Thatwould’vealmostmadeupformenotbeinggivenkeptmanstatus.”
“I’mkeepingyou.”
“ThankGod.”
Shekissesmeandpullsmealongwithhertolookatotherjewelry.Iseehereyeslightupatapretty

coollookingdiamondset.“Youwantsomethingelse,don’tyoubabe?”

“I’llbuytheearringsandbracelet.Willyoubuyme…um,thenecklace?”
Ittakesmeamomenttounderstandwhysheseemsalittleshyallofasudden,butthenIgetit.She

wantsanecklace.Fromme.Well,Iwantsomethingelse.

“I’dliketobuyyouallthree.”
“Justthenecklace,please.I’dliketojointhatexclusiveclub.”
“I’mnotgoingtolietoyou.Thereareagoodmanywomenbeforeyouwhogotanecklacefrom

me—withjustonelittlediamondinitandnotafewhundred,bytheway—buttherewillbenoneafter
you.Youknowthat,right?”

“Whatifyourmomwantsanecklace?”
“Mydadwillbuyit.Necklacesareforyou,andyoualonefromnowon.”
“Areyoutryingtomakemecry?”
“If it means I did something to make you happy, then yes. If you’re pissed or hurting because of

me,thenfuckno.”

“Happy.Definitelyhappy.”
“Thenlet’sgetyouthatnecklace.”
“Iloveyousomuch,JakeMason.”
“AndIloveyou,IsabelleMasonto-be.”

***

Isa

I think I may have woken up in a fairytale this morning. I certainly feel like a princess at the

moment.ThedressStellagotmeisdarkpinkandstrapless.Insteadofjustbeingplainontop,ithas
extrafabriccrestingoverina3-Deffect.Ithugsmybodyuntilrightabovemyknees,whereacouple
layersofbigruffleshitthefloorinfrontandflowintoasmalltrainintheback.Youcan’tseemy
shoes,buttheyhavesilverheelsandtipswithclear,crystalencrustedmaterialcoveringthesidesof
myfeet.

If the dress and shoes don’t do enough to enforce the princess look, then my diamonds most

certainlydo.Thenecklacefeaturesastrandofdiamonds,withanothercurvingontoit.Belowthoseis
a small flower made of a diamonds, and a big diamond flower with what looks like ribbons of
diamonds wrapping around it. If that’s not enough, a small row of diamonds leads to a large oval
diamond on the bottom. The earrings and bracelets match perfectly. They can’t outshine my ring,
though.

I’veneverbeenoneforfancythings,includingjewelry.ButwhenIsawthisring,Iwanteditsobad

thatIalmostcried.Jakewouldn’tletmehearthetotal,butIknowitwashigh.Hell,justfrompaying
forthebraceletandearrings,Iknowthatmynecklacewasinthesevenfigures.It’stheringthatIcare
the most about, though. I’d give up every other material item in my life to keep this ring. I know I
don’thaveto,butIwould.

IfinishpinningmyhairupintothefancybunStellataughtmeandhavejustappliedmylastcoatof

lipstickwhenmyprinceknocksattheguestroomdoor.“Comein,”Itellhim.

Iturnandlosemybreath.Iseriouslycan’tbreatheforamoment.IthoughthewashotasMasonthe

teacher, Mase the bad guy, and Jake the military man. But this Jake, the one who was born into
privilege?Heblowsalltheotherversionsaway.Histuxisobviouslycustom,andhe’sjust…Idon’t
evenhavewordsthatcanconveyhowperfecthelooks.

“Isa,you’restayingnexttomeallnight.”
“WhereelsewouldIbe?”
“I don’t know, but if any guy besides your friends tries to talk to you, or even looks at you too

long,I’mprobablygoingtopunchhim.”

“Haveyoulookedinthemirror?I’mgoingtobetheonegettingintoafight.”
“You’rewearingmyring,babe.Noone’sgoingtotryanythingwithme.”
“Yestheyare,butyouloveme.Soitwon’tmatter.”
“Notevenatinyiota.”
We kiss, making a mess of my mouth and his. Neither one of us cares as we put ourselves back

togetherafewminuteslater.Igrabmyclutch,whichonlyhasmylicense,lipstick,andJake’sgiftinit,
beforeweheadouttothewaitinglimo.WetalkaboutJake’snewjob,andhismove,decidingtopack
upbeforeweleaveD.C.I’mduesometimeoff,soitwillworkoutperfectly.

Whenwewalktowardstheballroomatthehotel,I’malmostblindedbytheflashbulbsthatgooff.

Jake makes sure to place my left hand on his arm so everyone can see my ring. When the
photographersask,heintroducesmeashisfiancé.Iholdmyheadhighandsmilethroughmyanxiety.
Icandothis.Iamdoingthis.

Insidetheroomtherearenomorephotographers.Buttherearecattycommentsandstares.Lotsof

stares from women trying to make me feel like I don’t belong. They’re wrong, though. There’s no
other place on Earth that I belong more than wherever Jake is. He introduces me to everyone and
makessurethatthere’snodoubtabouthowmuchhelovesme.

Aftersuccessfullydodginghismotherforalmostanhour,shemanagestocornerus.“Jake,Ineed

youtocomewithme.Justfortenminutes.Please.”

“I’mnotleavingIsa.Herfriendswon’tbehereuntilthepressleaves,andshedoesn’tknowanyone

else.”

“I’llkeephercompany,”Vickisays,cominguptohugme.“Gobeagoodboy.”
“Thanks,”Itellherwhenheleaves.
“Ishouldbethankingyou.Infact,Iwill.Thankyouformakingmybestfriendtrulyhappyforthe

firsttimeinyears.”

“Hemakesmehappy,too.”

“Good.Andgirl,lookatthatring.Andtheotherjewelryyou’resporting.IknewJakelikedgiving

outsparklythings,butdamn.”

Mystomachsinksalittleatherwords.“Sparklythings?”
“Ohyeah.That’sJake’ssayingforjewelry.Hedidn’tsaythattoyou?”
“Hemighthavementionedit.”
“Well,bepreparedtobespoiled.Formybirthdaylastyear,hetookmetothiscooljewelrystore

near his house and told me to get whatever I wanted. I held back…a little. Seriously, though, my
jewelryboxisfullofbaublesfromhim.Ihavemyeyeonanecklaceformybirthdaynextmonth.I
can’twaittoaddittomy‘Jake’collection,”shesayswithalaugh.Untilsheseesmyexpression.“Oh.
Maybeyoudon’tknow.Jakeisfamousforhisnecklaces.Heusedtogivethemoutlikecandy.AndI
alwaysgotthebestones.Untilnow,”shesays,lookingpointedlyatmynecklace.

“Take it. It’s yours. Happy early birthday from Jake,” I tell her as I remove it from my neck and

thrustitintoherhand.

“What?No,Isa.Ididn’tmean…Ishouldn’thavesaidwhatIdid.”
“Iappreciateyourhonesty,”Isay,pullingoffmyring.
“OhGod.He’llkillme.Putyourringbackon,Isa.”
“TakeitorI’llthrowitinthefountainoutside.”
Shereluctantlyholdsoutherhand,andIplacemydreamringinherpalm.Itturnsoutthatsheheld

mydreamsinthosehandsallthistime.Shewasjustlettingmeborrowthem.

“Canyoualsogivehimsomethingforme?”
“Youshouldgivehimwhateveryouhaveyourself.”
“Pleasedon’tmakethisharderformethanitalreadyis.”
Shecloseshereyesandnods.IgiveherthedrawstringbagthatholdswhatIgothim.It’sstupidand

nowIknowitwon’tmeananythingtohim,butIwanthimtohaveit.

“Haveagreatnight,Vicki,”ItellherasIwalkawayfromher.
Istarttoheadforthemaindoors,butthenrememberthepressoutside.There’snowayIcanface

themalone.Ilookaroundforawaytomakeaquietexit,butmychoicesarelimited.Iseeaflashof
silveronmyrightandturnjustenoughtoseeVickiapproachingJake.Ihavetogetoutofherebefore
hetriestolietomeagain.AndthenIseemywayout.

***

Jake

IneedtogetbacktoIsa.Vickiwillprotectherfromthevultures,butIdon’tlikeknowingshe’sso

close,yetnotrightnexttome.I’mplanningmyexitwhenIseemymom’seyesgowide,andshepulls
theguyweweretalkingtoawayfromme.IturntoseeVicki,andIknowsomething’sverywrong.
Evenifwehadn’tbeenbestfriendsforalmosttwenty-fiveyears,I’dknow.

“Iscrewedup,Jake.I’msosorry.”
“Wha—,”Istarttoask,andthenseeherhands.
She’sholdingIsa’snecklaceandengagementringinonehand.Andadrawstringbagintheother.“I

wasjealousofher,Jake.”

“Whathaveyoudone?”
She tells me, and I want to kill her. My best friend betrayed me and hurt the woman I love. All

becauseshewasjealous.Fornofuckingreason.

“Shewascoolwithourfriendship,Vick.Sheunderstoodthatyou’remybestfriend.Someofher

bestfriendsareguys,sosheknowsitworkssometimes.Shewasnevergoingtotryandpushmeout

ofyourlife.Butyoujustpushedherthefuckoutofmine!”

“Ididn’tthinkshe’dbesoupset.IjustwantedhertorealizethatI’mimportanttoyou,too.”
“YouhonestlythinkIdidn’ttellherthat?HowmanywomenhaveIsentontheirwaybecausethey

couldn’tacceptmyfriendshipwithyou?”

“Wouldyouhavesentheraway?”
Andnowwegettotheheartoftheproblem.I’mnotgoingtolietomybestfriend,though.“No.But

IknewIwouldn’thaveto.”

“Butyouwouldhave.”
“Yes,Vicki.IfIhadtochoosebetweenIsaandyou,Iwouldchooseher.Always.”
“You’rechoosinghernow.”
“Iwon’thavetochooseifyouhelpmefindherandexplainwhyyoulied.”
“Finding her won’t be too hard. Matt Corrigan just practically ran through the ballroom with a

groupofpeople.”

“Fuck.Let’sgo.”
I’m probably going to get punched. A lot. And this time I don’t even deserve it. I square my

shouldersandwalktheirway.

As I approach the group outside, I see Ellie and another girl on their knees next to Isa. I already

found out that Ellie was undercover, and after talking to Isa, I’m guessing the other girl is Jade.
Beforewecanreachher,Reinastepsinfrontofus.

“WeneedtotalktoIsa.”
“Shedoesn’twanttotalktoyou.”
IturntoVicki.“Tellherfromhereifyouneedto,butgetthefuckingwordsout.”
“Ilied,Isa.”
Mybeautiful,brokengirlstandsandtakesafewstepstowardsus.“Iknow.WhenyousaidImake

himhappy,right?”

“No.Thatwasthetruth…andtheproblem.”
“Becauseyoulovehim.”
“Not like you think. He’s like my brother. No woman has ever understood that, so he’s broken

things off with them. I knew he’d never leave you, and it hurt. So I made it seem like I was more
specialtohimthanyou.”

“Ineverwould’vetriedtobreakupyourfriendship.”
“Iknowthatnow.”
“Youwould’veknownthatearlierifyou’dasked.”
Vicki nods. “The only jewelry he ever bought me was a pair of diamond earrings for our high

school graduation. I buy everything else myself. He told me where he was taking you, and what he
jokedaboutwithyou,butI’veneverbeentherewithhim.Iswearit.”

“Ifyouwanttobemyfriend,youcanneverdoanythinglikethisagain.”
“I-Iwon’t.Wecanstillreallybefriends?”
“Yes.You’reimportanttomyfuturehusband,whichmakesyouimportanttome.”
ReinastepsasidewhenIsasaysthat.Igrabthejewelry,andthebag,fromVickibeforewalkingto

her.Itwirlmyfingersoshe’llturnaround,andfastenhernecklacebackwhereitbelongs.Sheholds
outherhandwithasmile,butIshakemyhead.

“Jake?”
“Let’swalkovertothatgazebo,”Isay,noddingtowardsit.
“Youcansaywhateveryouneedtoinfrontofmyfriends.”
“I’dratherdothisalone.”
“Ican’t,Jake.I’mscared.”

Itakeastepback.“You’rescaredofme?”
“No,”shesays,reachingforme.“Ididn’tmeanitthatway.I’mscaredaboutwhatyouwanttosay

tome.”

Inod,andthensaywhatIneedto.“Ididn’tputthisringonyourfingerlightly,Isa.IdiditbecauseI

loveyou,andItrustyou.Ialwayshave.Ifyoulookbackatourtimetogether,you’llseethatInever
once doubted you. I was willing to go to jail for you, and to die for you. I even went to see Gary
Griffin today because you said he was like a father to you, and I wanted to make sure he was okay
withmemarryingyou,evenifyourbiologicalfatherisn’t.Iwoulddoallofthosethingsoveragain,
butI’mnotsureIcanmarryyou.”

“Why?Iloveyou,Jake.Iwanttobeyourwifemorethananything.”
“Yetyoutookthisringoffwithoutasecondthought.Withoutcomingtomeandaskingmeifwhat

Vickitoldyouwastrue.”

“She’syourbestfriend.Youkepttellingmethat.Ididn’tthinkshe’dlietome.”
“Thenyoushould’veconfrontedme.Infrontofthatwholefuckingroomifneedbe.”
“YouknowIcouldn’tmakeascenelikethat.”
“I’mjustnotgoingtowinwithyou,amI?You’renevergoingtoseehowmuchitdestroyedmeto

seethisring,theringIwatchedyoufallinlovewithandthenputonyourfinger,inVicki’shand.”

Idon’twanttowalkaway.Thethoughtmakesmefeelphysicallyill.Butifshe’snotallinwiththis,

I can’t stay with her. No matter how much leaving her is going to break me. I walk back into the
ballroomandlookforthenearestbathroomtothrowupin.

“Jake,”Isayellsrunningpastme,tostandandfaceme,rightthereattheedgeoftheroomwhere

peoplecanseeher.Wheretheyareseeingherbecauseshe’smakingalittlebitofascene.“Iloveyou.
Iknowthatyouneverdoubtedus.NeitherdidI,untilthis.Youcouldalsolookbackandrememberthe
times I fought for us. You’re right about tonight, though. I didn’t fight for us tonight, and that was
probablythebiggestmistakeI’veevermadeinmylife.Ican’tpromiseI’llneverdoitagain,butIcan
promisethatI’lltryreallyhardnotto.Iloveyousomuch.Willyoupleasemarryme?I’llbuyyoua
ringtomorrow.”

Shestartstodroptoherknees,butIgrabherarmandpullhertome.
“We’vealreadygotaring,babe,”ItellherasItakeherhandandslideitbackonherfingerwhere

itbelongs.Whenthewomanyoulove—whoavoidsattentionatallcosts—isreadytogetonherknees
inapackedballroomafterdeclaringherloveforyouforeveryonetohear,youknowshemeanswhat
she’ssaying.

“Youdidn’tanswerme,”shesays.
“Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course I’ll marry you. You didn’t need to ask me in front of all these

people,youknow.”

“I had to show you that you’re more important to me than my fear of being seen. I’ll probably

neverdosomethinglikethisagain,butIhadtodoitnow.”

“Iappreciateitmorethanyoucouldpossiblyknow.”Irememberwhatelseisinmyhand.“CanI

openmygiftnow?”

“Sure.”
I open the little bag and what I see makes me burst into laughter before dipping her down into a

kiss.It’saribbonwithamedalonit.Likeyou’dgetforcompletingamarathon.Onlythisonesays
“TheInauguralIsabelleCarltonSexathonEnduranceAward.”

“Best.Gift.Ever.”

ANDSOITBEGINS…

Reina

Today’sthebigday.ThedayImarrythemanIlove.Ifitwashappeningforreal,I’dbewearingmy

dream dress and it would be taking place somewhere else. But it’s all fake, a way to keep the
FoundationandSocietyintact.SoI’mwearingadressthatlooksokay,aringmadeupofastonethat’s
acolorIhate,andit’sallhappeninginacasinoballroom.Itcouldbeworse,butitcouldalsobemuch
better.

I decide that I probably spoke too soon when a delivery from my husband-to-be arrives. It’s a

necklace and tiara that most women would love. But since they’re both made of not only white
diamonds, but yellow ones too, I hate them. Almost as much as my big yellow ring. Which I don’t
reallyhatebecauseMattgaveittome.Evenifit’sahideouscolor,itcamefromthemanIlovesoI’d
wearitfortherestofmylifeifIcould.Justlikethenecklaceandtiara.

I’vebeeninlovewithMattCorrigansinceIwasseventeenyearsold,andIknowI’lllovehimuntil

the day I die. There was a time when I thought he wanted to be with me forever, but whatever
happened to him overseas changed him. I know he loves me, but he usually hurts me more than he
showsmehiscares.Andoftentimes,it’sintentional.

Likeallthewomenheflauntsinfrontofme.Orflaunted.Hepromisedthatitwouldjustbemefor

thenextyear,andIbelievethathe’llkeepthatpromise.SoI’vegotayeartoconvincehimthatwe’re
righttogether.IfIcan’t,Idon’thonestlyknowifIcanstayonatCorrigan&Co.

IknowIshould’vetoldJanethat.Ishould’veletsomeoneelsemarryMatt.ButI’mtooselfishtolet

thathappen.Ineedthisyear,andthenIneeditallfromhim.Ijustpraythathe’llfinallybereadyto
giveittome.

***

Matt

Iguesssomemenarenervousontheirweddingday,butnotme.IusedtodreamofthiswhenIwas

inthedesert.I’dthinkaboutmakingitoutoftherealiveandcominghometoher.Reina.Shewasjust
agirlwhenwemet,butshewasmygirl.Untilshewasn’tanymore.

That’sallonme.AfterwhatIdid,Icouldn’tfaceheragain.Orevenemailwithher.Iwastainted,

andthebloodwouldn’tcomeoff.Shedeservedbetter.Shestilldoes.

WhenIsawheragainforthefirsttimethreeyearsago,Ifeltatpeaceforthefirsttimeinforever.

Shedoesthatforme,shecalmsthebeastthatlurksinsideofme.Iuseher,andsheletsme.Evenwhen
sheknowsI’lltakeanotherwomantobedthenextnight.It’snotthatshelacksself-respect.Shedoesit
becauseshelovesme,andshebelievesIloveher,too.Ido.I’ddieforher,andkillforher.Ijustknow
I’mwrongforher.

Sheshouldbewithaguywhodoesn’tcarryaroundthedemonsIdo.Butshe’stoostubborntogive

uponme.AndGodhelpme,butIwantittowork.IprayeverynightthatI’llbethemanshedeserves.
Sofarithasn’thappened,butIwon’tstoptheprayers.

We have one year. One year for her to love me into being a better man. Or one year for me to

breakherforgood.IknowwhichoneIwant,butIalsoknowwhichoneismorelikely.MaybeIneed
tostartprayingmorethanonceaday.

EPILOGUE

Tegan

ReinaandMatt’sweddingwaseverythingweallknewitwouldbe—fullofunspokenlove,andfake

romance.Itwasn’ttheweddingReinadreamedofasalittlegirl,andthat’sexactlythewayshewanted
it.ShelovesMattmorethanlifeitself,andhelovesherjustasfiercely.Butsincehewon’tadmitthat,
shemadesurethatnoneofwhathappenedyesterdaywasreal.They’rereallymarried,butthat’sabout
it.Sheworeadressshecouldtolerate,yellowdiamondsshecouldn’t,andasmilethatanyonewith
halfabraincouldtellwasfake.

Theydidn’teventakearealhoneymoon,whichiswhyI’mwalkingtoReina’sofficerightnow.She

called and said that there was someone coming in who needed our help. I just got done with my
suspension from missions, so she was offering it to me first. All I know is that it’s some kind of
personalprotectionjob.

I walk into the office, and stop dead in my tracks. The woman in the chair sees me at almost the

exactmomentIseeher,andsherocketstoherfeet.

“Tegan?”
“Hello,Mrs.Hall.”
“Youtwoknoweachother?”Reinaasks.
“Yes.Wedo,”Isay,tryingnottoshowanyemotion.
“Shecan’tbetheone.Shecan’thelp.MysonwouldneverbelieveIhiredherasmyassistant.”
“Son?ThisisaboutCaleb?”
“That’s none of your business. You made sure of it when you cheated on my son, and broke his

heart.”

“Ididn’tcheatonCal,andbelieveme,whathedidtomyheartwasmuchworse.”
“Peoplesawyouleavethatbedroominyourbraandpanties.”
“Thatmayverywellbe,butnoonesawwhathappenedinthatroom.”
“GregtoldCalebwhathappened.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it for my benefit. He told the whole town what he wanted them to hear. That

doesn’tmeanitwasthetruth.”

“I want to believe you, Tegan, I do. You were like a daughter to me for so many years. But you

weren’tyourselfafterthatnight,andyoudidn’ttrytodefendyourself.ThegirlIknewwouldn’thave
letitallgosoeasily.”

“Yeah,well,whentheyboyIlovedmorethanlifeitselfcalledmeaslutwithoutevengivingmethat

chancetodefendmyself,itkindofbrokeme.”

And nothing and no one have ever been able to put me back together. Not only because of what

Caleb did, how he believed someone else over me. But because of what happened after. And what
would’ve happened if Cyndi Evans hadn’t saved us. Because as a sixteen year old girl, what my
parentshadplannedformewasoutofmycontrol,butwould’vedestroyedmeforgood.

Ihavecontrolnow,though,andyearsofignoringthatstupid‘S’wordpeopleliketothrowaround

likeit’snothing.Likeitdoesn’thurtagirltobecalledthat.Evenifshedoesenjoysex.Orifshe’sjust

usingsextotryandgetoveraboy,orthehurthe’scausedher.

“IfCaleb’sindanger,I’mdoingthismission.Imaynotbeabletobepointperson,butI’mgoingto

bethereasback-up.”

“Teeg,areyousure?”
“Yeah,Reina.Iam.”
It’stimeformetogohomeandconfrontmydemons.AndmaybeeventheDevilhimself.Ihaveto

doit,becausedespitemyscarlet“S”andthehateCalebspewedatmeallthoseyearsago,Istilllove
him.Godhelpme,butnoonehasbeenabletomakemeforgethim,andwhatcould’vebeen.Igaveup
hopingthatwe’dbetogetheryearsago,butIcanmakehimlistentomenowwhenhewouldn’tback
then.I’llholdhimatgunpointifIhaveto,buthewilllistentome.AndmaybeI’llevenlethimmeet
ourson.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

DominiqueandGabi,youalwaysgettopbillinghere:)
HelenWilliams,JesseGordon,andAllyMurphy-Asalways,therewouldn’tbeabookwithoutthe

threeofyou!Thankyouforallthehardworkyouputinforme!

LisaDess-ThanksfortalkingupGamingforLovelastyearwhilewewereatRT,andformaking

mehaveHurricaneShootersonmyfirsteverreleaseday.I’mgladIgottosharethatwithyou,and
giveyouamentioninthisbook!

SarahVela-Idon’tseeyouasmuchasI’dlike,butIappreciateyoumorethanyoucaneverknow!
TheFriendsoftheSociety-Youladiesarethebestsecretgroupever(althoughIguessnowyou’re

notsosecret)!Thanksforalwaysbeingimpatientformynextbook,whichmakesmewritethemeven
faster!

ChrisBaughman,AlBeas,andCathyHui-AllthosetimesIwentouttohearChrisspeakaboutPIT

and your team at his book signings has obviously stayed with me! Las Vegas needed you, and you
answeredthecall,savingsomanywomen!Eternalthanksforeverythingyou’vedoneforthiscity!

Toallthereaderswhopickupthebooks,postonmyFacebookwall,sendmeemails,andmessage

meonFB,Twitter,orGoodreads,THANKYOU!Iappreciateyouall(andI’masobsessedwithReina
andMattasyouare)!Feelfreetoreachoutanytime!

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

CrystalPerkinshasalwaysbeenabigreader,butsheneverthoughtshewouldwriteherownbook,
untilshedid.ShelivesinLasVegas,whereyoucanfindherrunningauthoreventsandsellingbooks
atconventionswhensheisn’treading,buyingtoomanySherlockt-shirtsonlineorfindingaplaceto
putallofherPop!figurines.Amacandcheeseconnoisseur,shetravelsthecountrylookingforthe
perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. The
GriffinBrothersseriesareallInternationalBestSellers,theCorrigan&Co.seriesisalsodoingwell,
andshe’sthankfultothereaderswhomadethosethingshappen!

Findherhere:

www.crystalperkinsauthor.com

facebook.com/crystalperkinsauthor

@wondermomlv

crystal@crystalperkinsauthor.com

Document Outline

About Lessons in SECRET
Other books by Crystal Perkins
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
And so it begins…
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author

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