It was clear that they were unwilling to get on board with the plan, because after our initial awkward greetings, they proceeded to talk among themselves without trying to include me. Fuck. I knew this wasn’t going to work.
Then again…I guessed it depended on your definition of learning to get along with each other. Over by the sofas, Toby and Neo were surrounded by women who clearly didn’t care that they were Cranham students, based on the heavy-duty flirting that was going on.
“Attwood.”
Campbell, one of the Flames’ D-men, pushed his way into the group.
“Campbell.” Lucky for me, Campbell’s mother attended my family’s clinic for treatments, and with that tenuous link, we managed to stumble our way through some small talk for a few minutes, which was honestly more progress than I’d been expecting.
When he disappeared, distracted by one of the Whelford Uni girls, I grabbed a bottle of Coke and wandered over to the windows, staring out at the darkened skies. I wished I were anywhere but here. I needed to beback at the house, working my way through the rest of the accounts to get some answers.
“You are not interested in any of these women? I saw the pretty blonde looking at you. That is your type, correct? Blondes?”
Gritting my teeth, I turned to the side to see Volkov casually leaning against the wall, a beer bottle dangling from his fingertips. Instead of answering his question, I nodded towards his drink. “Beer? Isn’t vodka more your thing?”
“Hmm. We are here in enemy territory. It’s unwise to drink anything from a glass. A bottle, you can cover with your thumb. See?” He pressed his thumb down over the open top.
“Are you that paranoid that you think someone here is gonna, what, poison you?”
“Enemies are everywhere,” he said. “You would do well to remember that.”
What was I supposed to reply to that statement? Tipping my drink to my lips, I drained the rest of my Coke and then placed my bottle on the windowsill. “This has been fun. See you around.”
His hand on my arm stopped me in my tracks, his fingers digging into my flesh in a bruising grip. “Look. She wants you. You should go to her.”
Following his gaze, I saw the same woman who had been standing nearby when I’d been talking to Campbell, staring in my direction with an appreciative smile on her lips. The only reason I’d even noticed her was because I’d caught a flash of blonde hair out of the corner of my eye, and my mind had immediately arrowed to Nova. But when I’d looked properly, it had just been another woman amongmany at this party, none of whom interested me. Because none of them were Nova Thorpe.
“I’m not interested in her,” I ground out.
“Why? You are single, and she’s your type.” His eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a low, threatening tone. “There is no one at Cranham for you. You should go to her.”
“I—”
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Jayesh Attwood in the flesh, looking hotter than ever.”
My vision was suddenly filled with tumbling dark waves of hair and curves spilling from a tight black dress. Vesper’s full mouth curved upwards as she shot me a wink before giving Volkov a disdainful glance. His icy gaze dragged over her, and he stepped back with a curl of his lip.
“Vesper Fontana.”
“Anton Volkov.” Her voice was just as cold as his. Deliberately turning her back to him, shetucked her arm through mine and led me away. When we reached the wall on the far side of the room, she stopped, glancing discreetly back at the window through lowered lashes. “He’s still watching. We’re going to pretend to flirt with each other, and then we’re going to let him see us leave together.”
I rubbed my hand over my mouth. “What the fuck is happening?” I muttered under my breath.
Vesper slid her hand up my arm. “Nova is what’s happening. I know about you two, and I also know her fiancé is very suspicious of you right now.”
The pieces instantly fell into place. “Fuck.” Sucking in a sharp breath, I plastered on a smile, placing my hand at her waist. “Nova isn’t going to be happy about this.”
She laughed, tipping her head back. “She knows you only want her. Quick, lean in so it looks like you’re kissing my neck.”
I snorted, amused, but leaned forwards until my nose brushed her hair. When I straightened up, she winked at me again, and I couldn’t help grinning. Although I’d been around Nova’s friends a lot over the years, I tended to avoid them because I’d been trying to stay away from Nova. But after seeing Liana’s actions at the party at my house, and now with Vesper here tonight, I could appreciate the fierce loyalty these women had for each other. Loyalty that indirectly extended to me in this instance.
“Thanks,” I said. It was inadequate.
She squeezed my arm. “No need to thank me. Let’s go back to my room. You can play on my PS5 while I watch trash TV on my iPad.”
“Yeah. That sounds good.”
Raising her voice, she grabbed my hand. “This way. I can’t wait to get you somewhere more private.”
