Ethan—Jewel’s adored younger brother and trusted business partner. The infamous Warden of Golden Rule, in charge of leading a legion of moderators who kept the app safe for everyone.

“However,” Ethan continued, “once you’ve adjusted, all bets will be, for all intents and purposes, off.” He walked past the group. “That’s how it works, right, Luna?”

Luna’s stomach roiled. Nicole had asked the same thing.

Right, Luna?

Was he—was he trying to tell her something?

“Uh, sure?” she answered.

Ethan was still watching her. Face revealing nothing, he said, “Are you ready for Rule Number Two?”

“I am!” Harlow chirped, moving closer to him. “I’m game for whatever.”

Ethan gave her a curious look. “Word of advice: Don’t say that again and don’t let Jewel hear you. I love my sister, but, uhh … well, you know how she is,” he said. “Real talk, I would watch everything you say. Everything on the estate—inside, outside, everywhere—is recorded by the security system, audio and video. Cameras in bathrooms and changing areas have been disabled, but other than that? It is what it is. Rule Number Two: By being here, you consent to being recorded. I can’t let any of you go any further until you all verbally agree.”

“Tricky, tricky. Wait a minute.” Stella smiled at him, looking moments away from bursting into a full cackle. “So, if one of us disagrees, we’re all out? We all go home?”

“Afraid so.” He grinned back at her. “Hope you like group work.”

“I’m homeschooled. I’ve been dreaming about it for years.” She laughed. “Plus, I’m used to being monitored, so this rule actually means nothing to me. I’m in.”

Everyone stared at Stella—who didn’t seem to realize what she said was kind of weird.

“Monitored? Like you’re on house arrest or something?” Harlow asked.

“Sure. Guilty of the crime of being born. I’m assuming you’re in and eager,” she said, moving on. “Nicole?”

“Oh. Um. Well.” Nicole looked toward Luna, who said, “We’re in. We don’t care.”

“Actually,” Alex said softly and quickly, “I do care, a lot, but yeah, I’m in. I guess.”

Luna smiled up at him and whispered, “It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“Okay,” Nicole said, and asked Ethan, “And we’re only recorded for the security system?”

“We’re recorded by security,” he said. “A live feed to a secure network and stored on an equally secure server. We’ve had some incidents on the property.”

“What kind of incidents?”

“The kind that resulted in us installing a twenty-four-hour surveillance system. Anything to keep my sister safe.”