Page 23

Mason coughed, but it didn’t cover his laugh. “Down with the bitch. Your reign is near an end.”

“A threat against your mom?” I asked, unsure who else it could’ve meant. “Aren’t you worried?”

“Nah. You don’t get to where my mother is without making a few enemies. And let’s face it, they pegged her just right.” When he saw my face, he added, “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s harmless. We did background checks on everyone before inviting them down here. She gets empty threats like this all the time.”

That hardly made me feel better. Who would have done that while trapped down here with her? “So…why this floor?”

Mason furrowed his brow, seeming uncomfortable. “The security footage around the area blacked out for an hour, but so did the footage all the way back to Mermaid’s Cove.”

“Let me guess. The sixth floor went out too.”

“Yep.” Mason leaned forward.

“You can’t seriously believe the person who did this is really on this floor.” I snorted.

Mason straightened in his seat. “I think it’s pretty obvious that’s precisely where they are.”

“It’s too obvious. I mean, if someone had the ability to get through your security system, why would they be stupid enough to leave you a trail right to them?”

Mason’s face blanked and then slowly broke into a smile. “Maybe we should put you in charge of the investigation.”

“Leave me out of it,” I said. “I mean yeah, I’m pissed that someone took it out on my mom’s statue, but it’s not like that’s common knowledge, so curiosity is as far as I get with this investigation. Feel free to run things by me though.”

“I’ll take you up on that. You can be my secret weapon. Of course, if you demand payment, I’m not sure what more I have to offer.” His voice lowered, sending tingles of anticipation down to my toes as he leaned in.

My heart thumped as those luscious lips finally met mine. I’d dreamed of this moment since I was twelve, and it didn’t disappoint. His tongue slipped inside my parted mouth, gently probing my own, and my entire body responded. A moan escaped from somewhere deep in my throat as his hands slid beneath my shirt, running up the sides of my ribcage, prodding at the material of my bra.

When his thumbs found my nipples, I knocked him back onto the couch and straddled him, whipping off my shirt. I froze half naked on the man of my dreams, staring in disbelief at the small yet unmistakable smear of red near the entryway to my room.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, voice throaty with want. “Sam? Are you okay?”

“I, uh.” I stood up and grabbed my shirt, holding it to my chest. “This is moving so fast. I need some time. I’m sorry, but I need you to go.”

Mason didn’t hesitate. He stood and nodded, pulling a hand back through his mussed sunshine hair.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I really am. I shouldn’t have moved so fast. Please tell me you’ll still join me for dinner?”

I practically shoved him out the door with a strained smile plastered on my face as I reassured him that nothing could stop me.

Nothing could, except someone seeing that red mark.

Mason threw a hand on the doorframe, inches from what had to be an innocent mistake, or a plant of evidence from someone trying to frame me for the statue incident. I couldn’t help but think it. Would Mason feel the same? Or would he condemn me based on what had to be faulty evidence?

“I promise to take it slow from now on, Sam. But please don’t give up on me. The truth is, I’ve been infatuated with you since we were young, when I used to see you hiding in your father’s office. I couldn’t stand it if I ruined everything now that you’re actually speaking to me.”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I said, hands still splayed across his chest. “The truth is, I had a crush on you too. But I want to know the real you, not just the posterchild for BS.” I bit my bottom lip, realizing that I just used my pet name for Bennet Systems.

To my surprise, he chuckled and leaned in to gently brush his lips across mine. I momentarily forgot about the red spot on the door and contemplated throwing him back on the couch. But I stayed still, reveling in the scent of him as he nuzzled his nose against mine before stepping backward, away from my doorway.

“See you in a few hours,” he said with a dazzling smile.

I nodded. I didn’t trust my voice. The door slid shut between us, and I collapsed against it, letting the cold metal soothe my overheated head.

Knowing I had to face it eventually, I pulled away from the door with a deep breath and examined the smear of red. It was definitely paint, but how did it get there? I mentally flipped through the day. The only other people to come in were Jackson and Mason, neither of whom made sense. Could someone else have found a way to get in my room? The robotic staff certainly had access, based on the fridge and my unpacked bags. But it was an AI, and despite all the science fiction out there, it didn’t make sense for it to turn on its boss and frame me.

Deciding a hot bath in the huge tub would settle my nerves, I yanked the ponytail out of my hair and headed for the bathroom. One glance in the trashcan by the door and my heart nearly stopped. With trembling hands, I scooped out the empty canister of “Scarlet Fever” spray paint from the bottom. I held it away from my body like it might infect me as I planted myself on the edge of my bed. Trying not to hyperventilate, I thought back to last night. Surely I’d have an alibi. But the last thing I remembered was slamming my fist into the wall because the AI informed me that only Mrs. Bennet could authorize an emergency departure.

I blinked, noting the red dots that suddenly stood out clear as day against the white sheets on the bed near the pillow. I called her a bitch. So did the vandal. Try as I might, everything after that moment was blank until Jackson pounded on the door this morning.