Page 72 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

Ashley nods. “That would get her off the squad and possibly suspended.”

“We need her to keep Zach’s attention this week, so he doesn’t change his plans.” I don’t know what his plans are specifically, but I’m hoping he lets something slip. At least to Harper to try to scare her.

“She’ll get queen.”

“Not if you work on it.” I shake my head. “You’re just as popular and prettier than Sidney. Your attitude sucks sometimes⁠—”

“Hey!” She glares at me.

“You know it.” I smile. “If you tone it down or turn up the bitch, you’ll win votes. And that’s what matters. Get the girls in line with you. Let them know what Sidney’s done to keep them all down. Fight for them, and they’ll follow you.”

Ashley nods, but she’s lost in her schemes. She glances up at me. “Are we still good for Homecoming night?”

“I’ve talked to my friend, and he’s worked it out. I need a word so that you can make sure it’s the right guy and you aren’t being trafficked into a sex ring.”

She looks at me like I’m crazy but knowing this town and learning more about what our fathers did, it’s not unlikely. So I just wait.

“Havoc,” she says.

“He’ll say the word havoc so you know who’s taking you. Do you have any last instructions? Are you okay with him fucking you?”

Her lips press together, and she searches my eyes. “You know this guy?”

I nod. I’ve checked up on him to make sure I’m not letting someone in that could really hurt her. Our lives might be diverging, but Ashley and I were there for each other when we needed something. It was never love between us, but there was a need.

I’m not doing this to get her hurt.

She blows out a breath. “Things are bad at home. Almost as bad as when this affair first happened.”

I know what happened because she told me. She needed someone to take control as she spiraled and I needed to control something while my family fell apart. It worked.

“He can do whatever he wants to me, but if I need anything to stop, if I say my word and he doesn’t stop... I need you to hurt him for me.” Her eyes narrow.

“I will.” It’s the last favor I’ll ever give to Ashley. Our relationship was never about friendship like Jack’s and Emma’s. It wasn’t even really about getting off. It was a power exchange, pure and simple. And it worked for both of us.

“Then let’s plan the fall of the queen.”

CHAPTER 23

The Mess

Harper

Caden, Nico, and I sit at the cafeteria table. For once, we’re the first ones here. Eli was going to talk to Ashley. But I’m not sure what’s keeping Luke and Jack. Caden went to get us all lunch.

“How are you?” I ask, checking over Nico again. It feels like it’s too early for him to be back at school.

Nico chuckles softly. His dark hair falls over his eye as he lifts his gaze to mine. “I’m good, sunshine. Not even heavily medicated, just on ibuprofen.”

His leg is propped up on another chair. It’s the one thing his physical therapist insisted on this week at least, if he wanted to come back to school.

“I’d rather sit around here all day than lie in bed. It’s beyond boring.” His fingers link with mine on the table. “And I missed you.”

I squeeze his hand. “I missed you too. But I’d rather be anywhere but in this school today. Think of all the shows we could get caught up on.”

“I probably already caught up on them.”

Sidney walks in laughing with Zach’s arm possessively around her shoulders. She walks like she owns the place. The queen bee. She’s been that for so long. I’m not sure the guys can take her down. But they’re determined to dismantle her kingdom piece by piece if they have to.