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“I knew he was suspicious the moment he walked into the lecture theater.”
“Because he threw that chair at your head when you were playing the guitar?” I ask.
Veer falls silent.
One of the vehicle doors opens behind us, and a man clears his throat.
“Mr. Bestlasson?” I turn to lock eyes with a driver, who says, “At a time like this, the boss would want you inside the car.”
Veer ignores the driver, but the adrenaline propping me up throughout the van rise now drops, leaving me swaying on my feet. What’s left of me is filled with so much anxiety that I want to double over and retch.
What’s happening with Professor Segul? I want to say something in his defense, but nothing makes sense.
My knees bow. If I don’t sit down, I’ll fall.
I tug at Veer’s arm. “Come on.”
The driver opens the back of the car. I step inside and scoot across its black leather seat, my vision darkening around the edges.
“Hey, Phoenix.” Veer places an arm around my shoulder. “Are you alright?”
His touch is too heavy, too hot, too hindering. The pulse between my ears quickens, each beat slamming against my nerves like hammers. I shrug him off and shake my head.
“Just… Just give me a minute, okay?”
He winds down the window, and I grab his arm.
“Please, don’t,” I whisper. “I can’t stomach any more gunshots.”
He winds it up. “If they kill him then it’s his fault.”
“What?”
“You heard my uncle?” Veer leans against the back seat and spreads his limbs. “The professor was a kidnapper all along. He just wants to save his brother from the prison and doesn’t care who else gets hurt.”
“How do you know this for sure?” I ask.
“I stayed behind to hear the rest of their conversation,” he replies.
“That can’t be right.” I bow my head and stare at my lap. “Professor Segul looked like he was saving us.” Even as I say the words, they sound off.
“How would he know exactly where to intercept the van?” Veer asks.
“If he was in the area and followed us—”
“He would have been at the Sunday lunch gathering with my uncle.” Veer shakes his head. “Why are you giving him the benefit of the doubt, when all he’s ever done is be a bastard? This is the same guy who embarrassed you in front of the entire class.”
I grind my teeth. “There’s a difference between making a comment and arranging an assault and abduction.”
“Why are you even defending him?” he asks.
“I’m not,” I snap. “But there’s more to this situation than what your Uncle says.”
“Go on, then.” He folds his arms across his chest.
The pounding in my head intensifies until it feels like my skull might explode. “I still need that space, which includes quiet.”
He exhales a long breath. “Sorry, Phoenix.” He reaches across the back seat and takes my hand. “It was hard for you, too.”
