Page 111 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

I nod and she walks over to where Zach stands. His mask falls into place as he talks to her. No one would suspect he did a thing.

“Do you think this was a trap to see what would happen if something went wrong?” Harper’s voice is thoughtful.

“Maybe.” I glance over at the guys. Normally, I’d be with them, securing everyone else’s safety, but my hands were on Harper. She was my only responsibility. Is that what Zach wanted to find out?

Sidney comes to stand next to me. “Careful, Caden. Someone might think you have a thing for my boyfriend.”

I turn to her. “Do you have a thing for your boyfriend?”

She huffs out a laugh and then wanders over to the other cheerleaders. It looks like she’s making sure she has everyone there. But her gaze flicks over to where Luke stands.

She has to know that’s never going to happen by now. I heard the recording. He made it clear. It’s on her if she keeps pursuing him.

I keep Harper with me as we move to where the guys stand a little distance away from the other students. Kenz is on the side closest to us, and Brandon has his arms wrapped around her.

They aren’t close enough to hear us, but Kenz smiles and waves at Harper. Harper returns her wave.

“What the fuck was the point of that?” Jack shakes his head. “Someone could have been hurt.”

“Harper has a theory that they wanted to watch what we did.”

Eli nods. “Not a bad thought. Testing to see if we’ll leave her or have her help in a crisis? Leaving her exposed.”

Luke exhales. “Fuck.”

“This is good though.” I run my hands down Harper’s arms. “If this is what they expect, we can change our game.”

“If people might get hurt...” Jack looks at the crowd of students.

“We make sure we have other people to help.” Luke steps forward. “The people we’ve always asked before. They’re waiting for new orders, so let’s give them some.”

“If it’s during the game?” Eli looks at Jack.

“I can make sure Coach Turner keeps an eye out for Harper, but there are no guarantees.” Jack takes Harper’s hand.

“We can ask Ashley.” Eli runs his hand through his hair.

“Is that smart?” Harper asks. “What is she going to want in return?”

Eli gives her a smile. “Now you’re thinking like a horseman, kitten.”

She arches an eyebrow, still waiting for him to give her an answer.

“If what I set up works out for her, she’ll need more eventually.” Eli shrugs. “Jack, can you give me all your info on Wilder? Right now, he’s doing it for whatever reason he has, but if I need to force his hand, I need some ammunition.”

“I’ll see what I have in his file.” Jack makes a note on his phone.

“Send me Ashley’s file too.” Eli sighs. “Better to know in case something bounces back at us.”

The fire truck pulls into the lot, and they’re quick to get the hose attached and begin to put out the fire. Another thought of what they might be testing runs through my mind.

“What if they’re checking timing?” I glance at Luke, who has his eyes on the firetruck. “It took them a while to get here. They weren’t on site because there wasn’t supposed to be an actual fire.”

Harper shivers again in my arms, but I don’t think it’s the cold. We need more information about whatever Zach is planning. It’s time to escalate our war with the queen bee and see if she spills his secrets.

Though, if he’s smart, he won’t have told her anything.

Luke steps in front of us and cups Harper’s jaw. “We’ll do what it takes to keep you safe, princess.”