221 The Fourth of July party 6

Quentin and Brianna moved slowly while holding each other. They moved much slower than the beat of the music, but they didn't care. Or they didn't notice.

They were so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Quentin's hands rested on Brianna's back firmly, and he didn't dare move them out of fear that she will notice that he is trembling. He is not sure if he was ever this nervous. And it does not make sense, because they slept together many times, but something about Brianna made every moment a completely new experience and he felt like a teenager who is having his first dance with the most beautiful woman in the world. His fiery Goddess.

Brianna was lost in Quentin's gaze. And she could swear that his endless dark eyes contain the universe. She remembered that Liz and Mia advised her how they should explore what they have in common, talk probably. But this moment of them moving slowly with their eyes locked on each other and smiling was perfect, and any words would ruin it.

After an unknown measure of time, Brianna silently acknowledged that she does not want to run away from Quentin, and from these emotions he stirs within her. She will enjoy every moment, until Sunday. After that, she will think about everything, and until then the only thing she wants is to feel.

She was not sure if Quentin can read her mind or not, but just when she thought that she can't take it anymore, he leaned closer and his lips grazed over hers and her emotions calmed down a bit. Until the next kiss.

…

McKenzie sipped her virgin pina colada while her intense gaze focused on Max and Liz.

She tried deep breaths and happy thoughts, but nothing helped. The restlessness inside her was increasing and her hands were shaking to the point of her almost dropping the glass with her drink on several occasions.

When she observed that the crowd around them is reducing, she went toward the bar.

"Where are you going?", Oliver asked sharply.

Oliver is watching McKenzie for some time and it seems that her anxiousness is transmittable because he is anxious as well. Probably because there is a good chance that McKenzie will make a scene. And his and her parents are very close (Lewis' as well) and since they were kids, if they are together and one of them causes mischief, the other two get punished as well.

Oliver does not want to be punished because McKenzie is infatuated with Max and can't get over the fact that he has a girlfriend. The incident in Hawaii was too close for comfort. Of course, McKenzie never admitted anything, but Oliver and Lewis have a hard time believing that McKenzie was an innocent bystander when Liz lost her balance on that cliff and Max fell down with her.

McKenzie turned to Oliver stiffly and responded: "I am going to the bar to get a drink."

"I will get it for you.", Oliver offered. So far, he and Lewis were getting drinks for her. Why is she getting it herself now? And she didn't even finish her current one.

"No need. I want to go. It will be a good distraction.", McKenzie responded and added: "Don't follow me."

Oliver watched McKenzie walk away and he was grateful that she finally thought of something to do (other than stare at Max and Liz), and that should be a good thing. Right? He hoped that she is not up to something. Part of him wanted to ignore the obvious signs that McKenzie is up to no good. Maybe he should say that he has a tummy ache and go home early?

McKenzie got to the bar and asked the bartender for a beer from the tap, virgin pina colada, and one strawberry mojito.

"Do you need help carrying that, miss?", the bartender offered when he put the last drink on the counter.

McKenzie showed him a serving plate. "Don't worry, I've got it covered."

She arranged three glasses on a serving plate and carried them to the side. Behind the tent, McKenzie put the drinks on the small table. Many of those tables are available through the garden, for the guests to keep their used glasses or plates, so that servers can collect them.

McKenzie stared at the drinks for some time while thinking about what to do.

She has five packets of cocaine in her purse, and she was contemplating how much to put in Liz's drink. Based on what the drug dealer told her when she purchased them, each packet is enough for at least ten doses (for an average user), and the whole packet will definitely cause an overdose.

Drug addicts over time develop resistance to the effects of the drug, so they will increase their dose in order to feel the same high, however, the body never gets used to the drug itself so increasing the dose puts the user into a danger.

McKenzie did her research, cocaine overdose causes headaches, anxiety, rapid talk, chest pain, vomiting, seizures, and even death if medical assistance is not received in time. But she does not care about that. McKenzie already pushed Liz off the cliff, how much more serious can it get than that?

Her goal is to get Liz out of this party and to expose her as a drug user. After all, if Liz is only high, that can be concealed, but if she overdoses, she is bound to make a scene.

McKenzie will make sure to take photos of Liz who is acting like a lunatic and post them online. With any luck, Liz might even lose her job. Who will employ a surgeon who is a drug addict?

Based on McKenzie's calculations, even if Elizabeth survives, Max will leave her. Nathan and Madeline will not allow Max to be in a relationship with a drug addict who causes a scene in such a gathering of families and has a ruined career.

McKenzie's lips curved into a smile. She imagined that the Anderson family will be disappointed in Liz and McKenzie will come to visit them and see how they are doing. She will hear that Max is miserable, and as a model-girl, she will offer him her company and she will comfort him. Ah, perfect!

But first thing first! McKenzie glanced around to make sure no one is watching her way. Only a few people were in the line of sight behind this tent, and they were busy with food, drinks, and chatting. When she confirmed that it's safe, McKenzie took one plastic bag of cocaine from her purse and emptied it in the glass with the strawberry mojito.

She used the straw to mix the drink, and she eyed the drink, to make sure the powder dissolved completely.

"Miss, did you lose this?", a man's voice made her look to the side in panic.

McKenzie swiftly moved to stand behind the man and the drinks, wondering if he saw anything. She exhaled in relief to see that he is smiling at her, which means that he didn't see what she did. Her gaze moved lower to his extended arm and she saw that he is holding a phone, and she has a different model.

"That is not mine…", McKenzie said.

"Are you sure? It was right here.", he pointed at the grass a few steps away from McKenzie.

"Of course, I'm sure.", she reached into her purse and got her phone out.

He glanced at her phone and smiled. "Oh, OK. I apologize for disturbing you. I assumed that it might be yours because you are here. I will put it on the bar and hopefully the owner will find it."

McKenzie watched the man leave and she thought that her heart will jump out of her chest.

McKenzie didn't understand, why is she this anxious? So far the medications made her drowsy, but since she arrived here (or to be more precise: since Max arrived) her heart is racing. And it's getting worse.

She took a few deep breaths and convinced herself how this is normal. After all, she just put drugs into a drink and is planning to get Max's girlfriend to drink it.

…

Hunter and Mia danced a bit and then they moved next to the table with snacks. The location is perfect for watching the people and also for snacking.

Of course, they are keeping an eye on McKenzie. And they are not the only ones. There is a number of bodyguards dressed casually, mingling with the guests.

"Look at those two…", Hunter pointed with his chin toward Quentin and Brianna. "They came here and are having a blast. Why are we the only ones on alert? Didn't we discuss that we will take turns in watching over Liz and girls who are after her?"

Mia looked Hunter who stuffed his mouth with a mini-burger and stifled a laugh. "I think this is fine. Quentin and Bri need space to figure out their relationship and where it's going. And like this, you get to practice staying vigilant."

Hunter arched his eyebrow and remembered the traps in their apartment and how Mia is preparing him to meet with her family. He looked at the plate with snacks in his hand suspiciously and noticed that his hands are trembling. "You didn't put something funky in the food. Did you?"

Mia smiled mischievously, amused that he asked her this after eating three platefuls. "Of course, not."

Hunter kept the plate on the side. "When you say it like that, I don't know if I should trust you."

Mia laughed. "I'm kidding…", she reached for the plate and put one bite-sized sandwich in her mouth. "See?"

Hunter shook his head helplessly and continued eating. Even if there is some poison, Mia would not let him die. She must have an antidote. Probably.

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