Page 136

If she decides to go, we’ll have to decide between returning with her or staying at the school to maintain appearances. Part of me couldn’t care less about maintaining appearances, but we don’t know if everyone who was part of Zach’s plan was actually taken into custody or not. They need to know we might have been shaken, but we’re stronger for it.

The parents at the board meeting insisted the school pull together an assembly to start off the day, to help the students understand what happened at the dance and to make them aware of the resources the school has to help them deal with whatever trauma they might have.

Harper sits with us in the back of the mostly full auditorium. Kenz and Brandon, and Penny and Will sit in the seats in front of us next to Ava and her group, creating a barrier. The rest of the student body spreads out before us. I keep my gaze on them to see who looks back. Who’s curious about us?

With Tanner finally gone, maybe Caden will ease up on Ava, and she won’t have to hang out with the sophomore players anymore. But the reality is that Tanner was only part of the problem. We need to keep digging to make sure anyone else who might have been following them doesn’t decide to rise up and try to take us down.

Though there isn’t anyone quite as powerful in the student population as Zach Gray to fill the space. I’m sure his followers are waiting to see what happens, but the trial will reveal the monster he truly is.

My gaze catches on the color guard girls including Rachel Hayes. I haven’t forgotten about what Ava told me on Friday. Rachel trapped Harper in the laundry room. We’ve been dealing with a lot. But I won’t forget.

The assembly is about safety at school and school events. The administration brought in the FBI and someone from the DEA. Both were conveniently around to help after the school dance and the farmhouse.

Luke’s father was talking to someone about the FBI being in town. Did Darius know or was it just a coincidence? Who in this town could be talking to the FBI? Are they working against William? And why now?

That’s the question I keep poring over. Why now? Everything seems to be coming to a head after years of nothing.

After the assembly, everyone is supposed to “voluntarily” take a urine drug test. Given the number of students involved in the raid on Homecoming and the fact the previous queen bee herself tested positive for drugs, the school wants to make sure there isn’t a drug problem on campus. They even started a support group for anyone who needs help getting off drugs.

“Do you think we’ll have class at all today?” Harper leans her head against my shoulder. It’s not the most engaging assembly.

“Maybe just afternoon classes.” I brush her hair behind her ear. “We could go find a quiet place to be alone.”

She perks up, but I just chuckle at her enthusiasm.

“I was teasing, kitten. Someone is probably monitoring the hallways.” I glance toward the double doors. “They’re probably conducting a search with dogs.”

From the chatter yesterday, that’s what the intention was. I was able to help some other key players with getting into the building early and getting their stuff out so the dogs wouldn’t find anything.

Even if the DEA wasn’t conducting their search now, I doubt they’ll let any students into the hallway without an escort. Not after what happened this weekend. Things are going to be tense in school for a while.

“I never thought I’d miss going to classes.” Harper relaxes against my arm again and releases a sigh.

“Last night wasn’t too much?” I ask softly, more interested in her than anything happening on stage. I glide my finger up and down her bare arm. She wore jeans today and not a skirt. If she had on a skirt, I definitely wouldn’t be feeling up her arm right now.

“No, sir. But I missed Nico.”

“Greedy kitty.” I chuckle softly.

“You created a monster.” She grins.

“The best kind.”

Nico sits on her other side, and he holds her hand on his thigh. He looks better after getting some rest. He glances at me and smirks.

I just shake my head. This morning when I picked him up from his house, he looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Eli, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. I love you, but only as a brother. Just want to get that out there.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fuck off.”

“Oh, and thanks for winning me a date with Harper.”

At that, I laughed. I just wanted to fuck my kitten. I probably would have said anything to get to the fucking because the longer she sat still with my cock buried inside her, the sooner I was going to blow. And I wanted to win.

Nico’s gaze drops to Harper, and his eyes soften. I don’t know how we’re going to go back to sleeping with her only on the weekends. At some point, she and her mom will move back to their house. Then we’ll have to decide who can sneak in to be with her.

It probably won’t be me. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with my parents.

They want me home for dinner tonight. Maybe my dad will actually be there and sort this shitshow of a family out. He’s ghosted the last few “family” dinners we had planned. Probably because Mom organized them with the purpose of showing off. But he did show up at the school board meeting to make sure Sidney wasn’t actually coming back anytime soon.