Page 216 of Wicked Brutal

Iz follows my stare. “For fuck’s sake.”

I glance at him. “What?”

“You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Looking at the belle of Satan’s ball like she’s going to hand you the Rosetta Stone.”

Danny chokes. Kaid covers a laugh with his fist.

I stare at Iz. “She warned Ally. She knew what Victor wanted without Ally telling her. She told her to find a way out.”

Bella moves. Only a few feet. Victor has shifted slightly away from Ally while she pulls something else from the Celeste envelope, and Bella steps closer. Not beside Ally. Nothing obvious. Just closer. She stops near another row of lockers and glances down at her phone.

The bell rings. People start moving with more purpose now. Not much — the ring is still more interesting than chemistry.

Kaid jerks his chin toward the science hall. “We should go.”

We start across the atrium. Kaid and X a little ahead. Danny beside me. Iz on my other side. Normal. Five seniors going to class. Nothing to fucking see here. I keep my eyes forward. Don’t look at Ally. Don’t look at the ring. Don’t look at Victor’s hand when it settles at the small of her back again.

We pass them. Almost.

“Harrington.”

I keep walking. One step. Then another. The boys keep pace.

“Harrington.”

I stop. So do they. Slowly, I turn. Victor is looking directly at me. Ally stands beside him, her smile still there but smaller now, her eyes finding mine. Careful. Victor gestures toward the space in front of him.

“Come here.”

Danny looks at me. Then at Victor. Then back at me. “Are you a fucking golden retriever?”

A laugh punches out of Iz. Kaid’s mouth twitches.

I stare at Danny. “What?”

“He called you like a goddamn dog.” Danny laughs. “You planning to run over there with your tongue out?”

X looks toward Victor. “He might have treats.”

Iz nods solemnly. “Make him show you first.”

Kaid scratches at his jaw. “Could be one of those fake bacon strips.”

“Beggin’ Strips?” Danny asks.

“Those.”

Iz looks horrified. “Don’t cheap out on Harrington.”

“I fucking hate you.”

Victor’s expression tightens. He obviously heard every word. Good.

“Harrington.”