The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(26)

First, I needed to dodge the fashion question. “Sorry, Christian. My ride is leaving.” I looked back toward Kira, who was now hiding behind the hostess booth, watching nervously.

“You’re leaving?” Christian asked, looking disappointed. “Well,” he said anyway, motioning to his company. “This is my best friend, Colton, and his girlfriend, Sherrie.”

I smiled at them, offering a little wave. I needed to get out of here before anyone else saw me. Someone who knew I’d never dress like this. That was the number-one rule of the Society of Smitten Kittens—never be seen at the location of the incident. Christian had seen me. This was a huge complication.

“This,” he said to them, reaching out to touch my hip. I was startled. “This is Tessa Crimson.”

I sidestepped his hand, trying not to look as thrown off as I felt. He wasn’t allowed to invade my personal space. And my hips were very personal.

“Oh,” Sherrie said, pursing her dark red lips. “The cheerleader?”

I blinked rapidly. Whatever school they came from, I’d have to meet their cheer captain and find out about the animosity factor. This was getting ridiculous. She was smirking at me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, backing away into the aisle. “I have to go.”

Christian tilted his head. “You sure?”

Wow. He was more aggressive than I had originally given him credit for. Maybe with his friends, he was more confident. Either way, he seriously needed to be avoided. Especially now that he’d seen me on assignment. “Yeah. Bye.” I nodded to them and twirled quickly, striding toward the door. I could have sworn I heard a snicker as I left.

Kira jumped out just as I passed the hostess booth, but she waited until we got outside in the cool night to totally freak out. “Oh, my word, oh, my word …”

“Breathe,” I told her, taking her by the shoulders even though my own voice was tight. Nervous. “Let’s get out of here. Quick.”

She nodded and we began to jog across the asphalt parking lot toward Izzie’s blue Honda. Her face was white as we opened the doors and climbed in.

“Well.” Izzie gulped. “What happens now? The new boy saw you. Are we compromised?” She’d obviously seen the video feed.

I put my hands over my face and bent over, trying to think. Okay. So yes, I’d been spotted. But SOS communications always stayed top secret. There was no reason for Cassandra to use our evidence to confront her boyfriend. We could destroy the photos. She could just say she knew. Crab cakes! I’d never give an official ruling without hard evidence.

“Maybe we should just abort,” Kira said quietly from the backseat. “Tell Cassandra we didn’t find anything.”

I swallowed hard and looked up. I just couldn’t do that. I couldn’t let Marcus get away with it.

“We’re fine,” I said to the girls, my back straight. “Let’s hang out for a bit, and then we’ll follow them. I want to wrap this one up.”

Kira and Izzie exchanged a glance but then nodded and agreed. I was glad they did. Because I wasn’t sure what I’d say if they argued. I had the feeling that Christian Ferril was going to a big, honking problem.

SOS CHEATER INCIDENT REPORT

CASE: 046

CLIENT: Cassandra Heart

SUBJECT: Marcus Billings

FINDINGS: At approximately 7:00 p.m., February 6, Mr. Billings was observed having dinner with an unfashionable female accomplice at Applebee’s restaurant. They were photographed holding hands and using their feet under the table to fondle each other.

The pair was later followed to a parking area overlooking Skinner Butte. Photographs documenting the interaction were unclear due to the fogginess of Mr. Billings’s window. SOS did, however, recover an item that Mr. Billings tossed from his driver’s window, confirming sexual intercourse.

We trust that this report will remain confidential as some of the information contained within could compromise our top-secret status.

SOS is sorry for your loss, and we offer our deepest sympathies. We hope that we will not have to assist you again in the future, but please keep us in mind for referrals.

CHAPTER NINE

CASSANDRA WAS LESS THAN THRILLED TO SEE the glossy eight by tens of Marcus and Red Heels. It nearly broke my heart, especially when I considered her recently departed virginity. All of it left me feeling, well, bummed.

I watched from my locker across the busy school hallway as Cassandra unfolded the manila envelope I’d left there. Her face broke, then she recovered and glanced around quickly. Brave soul; she didn’t want anyone to see her cry. My chest ached.

Turning back to swirl the combination of my lock, I tried to decide what sort of flowers to send her. It should either be daffodils or daisies. I always sent flowers after I delivered bad news. It helped with self-esteem.

“Tessa?”

I jumped. When I turned, I was alarmed and certainly dismayed to be looking back into the dark brown eyes of Chloe, Christian’s sister. Hm. There was that forced smile again on her red lips. This couldn’t be good.

“Yes?” I asked, flipping my hair over my shoulder to cover my nervous twitch. Her smile turned into a smirk. She adjusted her stance in her open-toe heels.

“I just wanted to apologize for the other day at lunch. I know I was being a bitch, and I’m sorry.”