"Sev," Atticus growls as I pull out my hooked blade.
"What? It could be fake."
"It's not." He snatches the blade from my hand.
"Hey. That's part of my costume."
"It looks too real," Eli agrees, taking Atty's side as he shuts the car door behind him. "You'll get us kicked out."
"You guys have to learn to have a little fun."
I put my hands on my hips and survey the view.
“I still can’t believe our heist masks went viral,” Eli mutters, adjusting the position of his on his face.
“We’re internet famous now, boys.” I grin. “TikTok icons.”
“Not exactly ideal,” Eli grumbles. “We’re criminals.”
“Iconiccriminals,” I correct him. “There’s a difference.”
“There’s really not.”
“Back me up here, Atty.”
Atticus shakes his head, eyes scanning the lawn. “I’m not participating in this conversation with you two.”
I grin. “That’s not a no.”
Eli scoffs. “That is absolutely a no.”
“Fine, have it your way, but I’m going to enjoy my five seconds of fame.” As I say it, I race up to the nearest group of partygoers, huddled together from the cold, and spook the hell out of them. I revel in their screams, laughing as I make my way to the front door while Eli and Atty lag behind.
The inside of the frat is a punch to the senses. Hot and red and reeking of beer and cheap liquor. But I was right. There are a fuckload of fuckheads dressed up as theMenage a MaskTokbandits.
No accounting for taste, though. It's all cheap knockoffs, nothing but poorly painted bits of pressed plastic. My mask is the real deal. Bought it at auction a couple of years back. This puppy was actually worn by Billy in the first movie.
I rub my hands together, searching the intoxicated populace for a very specific face in a very specific and very handpicked costume.
Where are you, my beautiful victim?
A cheer rises from the room on my right, and I cock my head, making my way over when I see a familiar flick of dark hair.
The doorway is blocked by people standing around to watch as Aurora banks another shot at the table, knocking two balls into the same pocket to a chorus of applause.
Her friend, Maisie, jumps up and down, telling the person next to her thatthat's her friend,and I smirk.
"What is it?" Elijah asks as he comes up behind me.
"Found her," I say, then swat his arm and jerk my head down the hall. "Let's go around. There'll be a better view from the other side of the room."
I hustle down the hall and around through the kitchen, coming up into an all but vacant dining room that leads into the front room where the pool table is at another angle.
Just in time to see my girl sink the eight ball and win the game.
I clap louder than anyone else as the cowboy kneels before her, and she takes the hat from his head and places it on hers. Effectively stealing his crown.
But…I don't like the way he's looking at her. Like she's the next prize he intends to win.
