Flushed with outrage, zero defense from any quarter, Dyers finds his bearings and storms off. But before he opens the door, he turns to face the diner.
Eyes locked on Denver, he pins her in place for a split second, imbuing that look with all the hatred he seems to feel for her. She becomes the epicenter of his rage, but Denver isn’t afraid.
She blows him a kiss farewell.
This is a girl I need to befriend.
Stat.
THIRTY-NINE
TIME TO SHOW THEM WHO’S BOSS
“WasDyers liked at the event you attended?” I ask Wynter.
Her brow furrows. “Not particularly. I’d say his dad is.”
“Brutus—”
“What a name,” Shay derides, but I can tell he’s spoiling for a fight after watching that unfold.
And I get it.
Ever since I met Dyers in a Roman civilization class, I slotted him under the “jackass” category. Everything I’ve learned about him since, from the rapeallegationsto this argument today, only confirms my first impression.
“Brutus,” I continue like he never interrupted, “is a politician. He’s a diplomat. Lots of influence.”
I drum my fingers over the table, taking note of how the team infights while Denver heads for class. Not long after, Alec sidles from the booth and I have the worst feeling…
Alec can’t be trusted.
Alec’s a Veronian. Just like Dyers.
“Shay, we need to go.”
“What?”
“Wynter, stay here. See if they talk about anything else. We’ll be back shortly.”
“Where are you going?”
“We’ll be back,” I echo, tugging on Shay’s arm until he listens to me and heads out of the booth.
Slipping into our coats, we rush out of the door.
“What are we doing?” Shay questions, but God love him, he follows me.
Aela, his mom, sometimes says that I’m a bad influence and I get it, but also, it’s her fault for raising a loyal son.
“Alec left bare minutes after Denver did. I could be wrong but… what if he wants to punish her in private for humiliating Dyers? They’re both Veronians.”
Shay hisses in agreement. “I heard her say she was heading for the library.”
Grateful that both of us like to run, we head to the quad. Just in time too.
“Oh, my god. Over there, Shay.”
Alec’s yanking on Denver’s arm, hard enough for her to shriek. He doesn’t even seem to care that they’re in public.
