Page 72 of Deposed

Duncan sagged. “At last.”

Henry placed a protective arm around my waist, reminding me of the reason he had wanted to come down to London. Mr. Carbuncle. Even if the janitor was hiding in an alley, I doubted he would cause trouble with the boys surrounding me and with so many police officers milling about, but I kept close to his side, just in case.

Resting my head on Henry’s shoulder, I muttered, “I can’t believe she got away with yet another heinous crime.”

Henry pressed his lips on my temple and guided me into the limo. My torso ached so much, I slumped into the nearest seat and didn’t scoot up.

“We still have a few more weeks until the end of term.” Blake stepped in after me and sat at my side. “Plenty of time to even the score.”

Edward climbed in and sat next to Blake, and Henry entered and sat on Edward’s other side. Duncan was the last to enter, and I exhaled a sigh of relief. I’d probably sleep for the rest of the journey and roll into breakfast late tomorrow on Sunday.

Charlotte stepped into the limo.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I snapped.

Her eyes flashed. “You heard the police. They want us out of here.”

“Let’s leave this area,” said Edward. “We can deal with her in a moment.”

She gave him a grateful smile and settled into the seat next to Duncan. “Thank you, Edward.”

He folded his arms across his chest and didn’t reply.

The limo backed out of the side road and drove away from Tower Bridge into a street occupied by offices and very little else. After ten turns, we reached a heavily trafficked road that led to the bridge. Edward clicked on the intercom. “Could you stop the car, please? One of us wishes to leave.”

I turned to Charlotte and snarled, “Get out.”

Her mouth opened and closed, and she gaped as though we were leaving her in the middle of the Sahara Desert.

“Get out,” said Blake, “unless you want Emilia to drag you out by the hair.”

“What?” Charlotte glanced through the window. “But it’s deserted out there.”

“So was that empty apartment with your brother and Mr. Carbuncle,” I spat.

“But that wasn’t me!”

The driver opened the door, letting in the roar of fast-moving traffic, but Charlotte didn’t budge. “Please… Don’t leave me out here. What if something happens to me?”

“She has a point, chaps,” said Duncan. “It looks rather dangerous out here.”

“Then get out and keep her company,” I spat.

Duncan lowered his gaze and folded his arms across his chest.

“Alright.” She stepped out of the limo. “But if I get hurt, my boyfriend will make your life a living hell, Emilia Hobson!”

“Maybe he can pick you up,” I snapped. “Carbuncle might need someone to accompany him on the run.”

The driver shut the door, rushed back into his seat, and pulled away, leaving Charlotte on the side of the road, holding her high-heeled pumps. I stared after her, insides still roiling with fury. After everything she had done, I couldn’t feel an ounce of pity for the wretched bitch.

Blake slipped his hand into mine. “Are you alright?”

“Much better, now that she’s gone.”

The limo drove through London and into a familiar street.

“There’s the Royal Academy,” said Edward.