Page 82 of That Pucking New Girl

“Fuck, you’re not wrong,” I snort.

Ciaran’s lips purse as he feeds Noor’s face into an app that’s supposed to search public video cameras for that likeness. It’s new, and keeps him from hacking into the system himself.

“If she’s not home, this will find her,” he murmurs.

He puts the laptop on a table beside us, just in time for Alexa to plop herself down across his lap.

“Sorry,” she says breathlessly. “I just wanted to tell you how awesome you played last night.”

Her eyes are a little glassy as she gushes and my nose crinkles in surprise. She’s a die hard theater girl, and is constantly trying to get equal attention to the arts. Instead of appearing annoyed, Ciaran gives her a smile.

Draven and I glance at each other, knowing he never smiles like that. Ciaran hates everyone, which makes him a great shit talker on the ice.

What is he doing?

“You’re good,” he says, his voice low and rumbly. I have to admit, it’s really fucking sexy, and Alexa squeezes her thighs together in her short skirt.

She’s not my type with a scarf around her pony tail and her off the shoulder bohemian sweater, but she’s pretty enough. Giving Ciaran space to work, I get comfortable in my seat. It’s a couch we pulled out from the living room, so we could watch people from the sidelines.

There are people in the pool despite the cool night air, and it’s hard to believe that it’s already October. Alcohol has a way of keeping people warm, and there’s an abundance of that going around at this party.

“Are you having fun, babe?” he asks.

Ew, babe. He’s definitely up to something.

“I am. Thank you so much for inviting me,” she says excitedly. “I didn’t expect it.”

I had mentioned the way Alexa was talking to Noor at school, and I wonder if that’s why she’s here. We put out an announcement to the entire senior class that we wanted Noor watched closely. If something happened that was odd, we wanted to know about it.

We also mentioned there would be compensation for those who went above and beyond.

“It’s my pleasure,” Ciaran murmurs. “I think you may have told me you were trying to become friendly with Noor. Is that correct?”

“I’m trying,” she huffs out, her fingers playing in his curls. Ciaran stiffens but doesn’t stop her. We all have issues with being touched without permission. Too many people seem to think having access to us means they can pet us like animals.

Alexa better get to the damn point soon or he’s going to dump her on her ass.

“What does ‘trying’ mean?” Draven asks to help speed things along.

Alexa is drunker than I first thought, because she doesn’t even look in his direction.

“I keep talking to her, but she’s a bitch,” she grumbles. “Did you see her new hair cut? My cousin did it and it’s short as fuck because Noor pissed her off. The house is huge, and Roxy came home talking about how she wanted to rob them.”

I have to hold back a laugh, because I doubt the Dentons are people you’d want to rob. You definitely wouldn’t get away with it.

“So Roxy knows the layout of the house then?” Ciaran asks.

Alexa nods excitedly, just like a puppy being praised. “She couldn’t do too much investigating, but she overheard where Noor’s bedroom was. She sleeps on the main floor of the house.”

Well that could be helpful.

“We may need that information,” Ciaran says, cupping her face as he gazes at her with affection. “Can you do us a favor for now?”

“Anything,” she breathes.

“We need to run an errand. The party needs more ice. Will you make sure no one destroys anything while we’re gone?” he asks.

“Yes,” Alexa says excitedly.