Page 68 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

Everyone in this town can be bought.

Even Mr. Wick, who I thought might be on my side.

“Everyone ready for Homecoming?” Luke asks, but it’s not with excitement. We’re basically waiting for whatever bomb Sidney and Zach are going to drop on us.

I swallow. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be the target. More now than ever.

I heard every word Luke said last night. He loves me and isn’t afraid to tell anyone. Probably not something Sidney will share though, because it makes her look weak. She isn’t the one who Luke loves.

“You have any problems. Let one of us know.” Caden pulls into a parking space and turns his gaze on Kenz and Penny. “We’ll protect you two, but we can’t if we don’t know what’s happening.”

Kenz nods and undoes her seatbelt. “Of course.”

Penny groans but nods. She’s slower to release her belt, but Luke opens the door for her. Her face softens as he holds his hand out to help her out of the car. She takes it. When she walks over to the sidewalk, he reaches for me.

He pulls me out and against him. I breathe him in and just let this be for a moment. One moment of peace before everything goes to hell.

I don’t want to walk into that school today. I want to say fuck it and run off. With my guys. There are a few places I know no one can find us. Instead, I draw strength from Luke and step away.

His blue eyes search mine for a moment before he takes my hand and leads me over to the sign. Caden’s already over there with Eli and Jack and...

“Nico!” I grin and hurry over to him when Luke lets go of my hand.

He has crutches and a huge brace on his leg. He smiles as I wrap my arms around his waist, careful not to topple him. “Hey, sunshine.”

I draw in his rain scent, and my insides buzz with happiness. We’re all together again. It makes me feel stronger.

I step away from him and look at the others surrounding us. My eyes return to Nico’s brown ones. “Okay, what do you need from me?”

He smiles and shakes his head indulgently. “The guys will carry my backpack. I just need you to be safe.”

“I can do that.” Probably. But it doesn’t matter. I smile anyway.

Luke steps up against my back and wraps his arm around my waist. I lean into him. My insides feel like they’re glowing. Yes, the worry is still there. The fear nudges at the back of my mind. But right now, I have all my guys standing with me.

And Mom is coming back.

I glance at my blank phone screen. She won’t contact me through it, but I’m hoping to get a notification of where I need to go tonight. I trust her to find us somewhere safe.

“It’s time to start making our moves.” Luke squeezes my middle, bringing me back to the present.

Jack meets Luke’s eyes. He’s still tired. He left with Eli last night after the others returned. “I’ll talk to Emma.”

“I’ve got Ashley.” Eli touches my arm. “I have to let her know that everything is set up for the Homecoming dance.”

He set up Ashley’s session that she needs with someone else. What Eli likes to do. When all this is settled, we’ll need to work me up to where he needs me. I can’t imagine letting him cane me, but it can’t be any worse than the belt was. Heat blooms through me at the thought. The pain was intense, but the pleasure made it worth it.

“Sidney mentioned she’s doing drugs that Zach gives her.” I meet each of their gazes. “Most of those drugs don’t linger in your system forever, but she mentioned multiple drugs.”

Eli steps closer. “It’s possible, but not usually with a urine test. But if she’s using those drugs, she might be using others. Or have some on her. I can talk to Ashley about mentioning a random drug test to the coach.”

“Wouldn’t that seem a little too coincidental?” I glance at the doors to the school. The other students give us space as they pass us.

Eli smirks and brushes his knuckles over my jaw. “Don’t worry, kitten. We have ways.”

“Come on, we need to head in to class.” Luke releases me and takes my hand.

We walk to their lockers, and Jack helps Nico with his bag. I forget about all the other students watching us as we get ready for today. There will be an assembly at the end of the day and then the carnival will go on through the weekend. But we’ll be the ones on stage to open it.