Page 225 of Wicked Brutal

Iz nods. “Federal government agrees.”

Victor ignores all of them. His eyes stay on me. “You mistake the indulgence of your parents for power.”

I look past him. At Ally. She’s still where he left her. And Bella — Bella is closer now. Not touching Ally. Not speaking to her. Just there. Near enough. Watching.

And suddenly the whole fucking thing is so obvious I almost laugh. Victor walked away from his fiancée because I wouldn’t come when he called. Crossed the entire space. Argued with five teenagers. Dragged half our families through the atrium. Threatened me. Insulted our parents. All while Ally stood behind him, forgotten the second I refused to obey.

Actually — I do laugh.

Victor’s eyes narrow. “What?”

“You walked away from your fiancée and crossed half the hallway because an eighteen-year-old wouldn’t come when you called him.”

Kaid’s mouth curls. X looks downright delighted.

Danny whispers, “Oh, fuck.”

Iz fucking beams.

I tilt my head. “Which one of us feels threatened here, Victor?”

The atrium explodes. Not metaphorically. Actually fucking explodes.

“OHHHH!” Someone yells, “HOLY SHIT.” A teacher snaps, “Language!” Another voice from somewhere behind us shouts, “HE’S RIGHT!” The same teacher immediately says, “Enough!” Nobody listens. Phones everywhere.

Victor’s face goes completely fucking glacial. For half a second, I see it. Not anger. Humiliation. Worse. I smile.

“Enjoy your little victory,” he says.

“I am.”

“This is precisely why Roman was concerned.” There. His voice changes. Cool again. Controlled. He straightens his jacket, the mask sliding back into place because he remembers there are cameras. “Your treatment of Alison ends today.” I glance toward her, then back at him.

“You came all this way for that?”

“I came to see my fiancée. And after Roman told me what you did, I decided I would make something very clear while I was here.”

I shove my hands deeper into my pockets. “Go ahead.”

Victor’s eyes hold mine. “You will not speak to Alison again. You will not approach her. You will not address her in class, in the hall, at an event, or anywhere else unless absolutely necessary.”

He’s building it into a wall, brick by brick, and every brick is one I’d cheerfully climb.

“Getting repetitive.”

“You will not discuss her with your friends.”

Iz sighs. “There goes book club.”

Danny nods. “She was next month’s pick.”

Kaid looks at him. “I didn’t vote for her.”

X shrugs. “Weak second act.” My mouth twitches.

Victor looks at them. “Do you ever stop?”

“No,” all five of us say. The hallway loses it again.