“Hey, Xander,” I said, trying not to sound completely deflated.
“Heya, Harper. Hope it’s not too late to be calling.”
“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”
But I already knew what was up. Emery moved fast.
“I was wondering if you had plans for the Halloween festival? Supposed to be a big deal around here.”
“Yeah, that’s what I hear too,” I said slowly. “And no, I have no plans.”
“Okay, well… Would you like to go with me? Just as friends. No pressure.”
Just friends.
Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked them away irritably, waiting. As if another call or text were going to come within the next few seconds.
“Harper?”
“Yeah, sorry. Sure, I’ll go with you. As friends.”
“Great,” Xander said, sounding about as enthusiastic as me. Like we were closing a business deal. “Should I pick you up? I can take my dad’s car.”
“No, I’ll meet you there,” I said. “I might have to make a quick getaway if my little brother needs me.”
“Okay. We can finalize the details tomorrow.”
“Yep,” I said. “Bye, Xander.”
We ended the call, and now I had a date to the Halloween festival.
I set my phone on my desk and got back to work, waiting for it to ring again, with a different boy asking me the same question, proving that I’d been a fool to say yes to Xander. That I should have waited.
But no call came, so I guess I wasn’t a fool after all.
Chapter 13Orion
I drove from Harper’s place, my hands gripping the steering wheeltightly. The last bloody thing I’d wanted to do was leave her. Not when I’d finally managed to melt some of the ice between us but…
Why is he here?
At Atlas Hall, I parked my car and hurried to my floor. Two men wearing all black stood sentry outside my and Easton’s door. Security detail.
I rolled my eyes.Not at all conspicuous.
“At ease, gentlemen,” I said, giving a mock salute.
“Mr. Mercer,” one said, opening the door for me.
My bravado might’ve fooled them, but my stomach roiled. Inside my living space, Father stood at the window, hands clasped behind his back, gold and diamonds glinting off his fingers.
“This is unexpected,” I said. “Hello, Father. What brings you here? Business or pleasure?”
“Orion,” he said, turning. His mouth was drawn in a grim line. “I’m on my way to New York for a series of meetings. Given the severity of your situation here, I thought it prudent to make a stop.”
“Severity,” I said. On the coffee table was a manila envelope and an orange bottle of pills. “My next target and the poison to kill them?”
“Always with the jokes.” Father sighed. He came around and sat on the lone chair across from the couch. “I’ve received your mid-semester grades, and they are no joking matter. You’re failing or nearly failing everything but piano and chemistry. Piano is meaningless, and chemistry is a B-minus when it should be an A, considering.”
