My father swears.
Charlie goes pale.
"I'm on it!" she yells. "I've been on it from the beginning!" The gun swings wildly between all of us. "I need that list!"
I shake my head.
"Oh, for God's sake," Jude’s mutters.
And then...
Sirens.
One.
Then another.
Blue and red lights flood the parking lot.
Everyone freezes.
Charlie's gun lowers.
Jude’s father looks around. "What the hell?"
Axel smiles. It’s big. Smug. It’s perfect. "Please." He brushes imaginary dust from his coat. “Like I wouldn’t have a fucking epic backup plan.”
He nods toward the approaching police cars. "It seems someone was very interested in keeping their name off the Dean's List..." His eyes settle on Jude’s father. "...and very interested in telling the police about all your business dealings." He turns toward Jude. "I may have fumbled the books a little."
I blink. "The books?"
Axel shrugs. "Accounting isn't really my thing."
He looks back at Jude’s father. "Have fun in prison."
Edward actually laughs. "You think this is enough?"
Axel's grin grows. "I know a very important dean who's currently singing like a damn canary."
He winks. "The pictures helped."
Jude frowns. "What pictures?"
But Axel isn't looking at Jude anymore. He's looking toward the entrance of the club. We all follow his gaze. Police officers escort a man outside. His hands are cuffed. His tie hangs loose around his neck. His face is pale. My fingers tighten around Jude’s.
"Dad?" I whisper.
He doesn't answer. He doesn't fight. He just keeps talking. In fact, this is the most I’ve seen him talk. He doesn’t even spare us as much as a glance. He just keeps talking and talking and talking to the detectives.
He’s trading secrets, trading lives, all to save himself. I’m not stupid enough to think it has anything to do with me or Jude. This is all for him.
The realization crashes into me all at once. Seven years ago Jude’s father handed him over to save himself. Tonight, my father is doing the exact same thing.
Jude’s father watches the scene unfold. Then he looks at me. A slow, cruel smile spreads across his face. "You really thought your family was any different than mine?"
My entire body goes rigid. My father never once looks back at me. He just keeps talking.
And somewhere beside me, Charlie starts laughing.
