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I stroke Queen Boudica’s fur as I gaze out across the ruined pool. Sunlight gleams off the puddle of murky water in the deep end. Weeds choke the filter and dangle over the cracked tiles, snagging a deflated unicorn floatie.
I allow myself to imagine how inviting it would be tidied up and filled with clean, azure water, how good it would feel to dive in and let the water wash away the stench of today.
Maybe one day, if I can make it through this year, I’ll be able to do what the fuck I want with the pool. And the whole house.
If I finish my homework.
But I don’t move. I stare out at the pool and think about everything I have to lose. Sitting by these windows is a risk I don’t normally indulge in, even with the tinted windows and the high perimeter wall. If someone sees me here, during the day, looking less like a ghost and more like a pissed-off brat, I’ll bring a world of trouble down on my ass.
Antony said it was risky going to school, but it would be worth it in the end. I’m not so sure.
I’m crazy to think I could pull this off. I can’t—
My phone buzzes. Only one person has this number who actually calls me. I press it to my ear.
“Tell me all about your first day, Claws,” Antony purrs, using my childhood nickname. I can hear music and people talking in the background. He must be at his club. I wish I’m there, too, drowning my sorrows with cheap whisky and watching men beat each other bloody.
“It was shit. As predicted. Gabriel Fallen goes there. And I broke some teen actor’s nose.”
“I knew you wouldn’t last one day at that stuck-up school.” Antony laughs. I love his laugh – it’s so him; uncontrolled, teetering on the edge of mania. People fear that laugh, because it usually precedes bloodshed. I find it comforting.
What that says about me I don’t like to consider.
I tell Antony about Alec LeMarque’s blood splattered across the table. “By the way, could he sue me for that?”
“A guy like him?” Antony snorted. “Fuck no. First of all, he believes you have the power of your father’s fortune and connections behind you, and he’s not gonna cross that. Second, if he goes after you he risks the press getting hold of the story. Little Alec won’t want the world to know he got beat up by a girl. His revenge will be in private, away from prying eyes. You’d better sharpen those talons of yours, Claws. If he does come after you, call me. I can have someone over there—”
“I’ll handle it.” I decide not to tell Antony about Elias recognizing me or me recognizing him, or Coal-Eyes’ threat. That look in Coal’s eyes concerns me more than Alec, but I need more information before I get Antony involved.
“Fine, fine. I know not to mess with you, Mackenzie Malloy.”
Just saying my name has Antony in a fit of giggles again. He must be drunk. Or high. Probably both. My older cousin loves a good time.
“By the way, thanks for fixing things with the school for me. And for the ID.” I pat my pocket containing my new driver’s license. “You saved my ass.”
“It’s an ass worth saving. But we’re not through this yet, Claws. Our plan just got risky. The press will get wind of your return. Family members might reveal themselves, people we can’t trust. Are you prepared for that?”
No. “Yes.”
Antony sighs. “Claws…”
“What? We’ve come this far. It’s only a matter of months. I can deal with anything for a few months if…”
…if it gets you out of that world. I don’t say it, because I know Antony doesn’t want to hear it. He hasn’t agreed on our next step. But in nine months it won’t matter what he says.
My phone beeps. A message. “That better not be a picture of your dick.”
“Not me. Maybe it’s Fallen’s dick. You should try selling the pic on eBay. Maybe you’d get enough for it that we wouldn’t need your crazy plan.”
I peer at the screen. The name reads ‘Jace’ – one of the few contacts in the phone without a last name. I remember Jace leaving a ton of text messages a few years back, when my family first went AWOL. I never answered any of them, and he must’ve got the message because I haven’t heard from him again. Until now.
“Why wouldn’t you talk to me at school today? What happened to you?”
Great. This Jace goes to Stonehurst Prep, too. It’s bad enough with Elias staring at me and Dark-Hair’s threats, but now I’ve got another guy on my ass who knows me from before? I thought Mackenzie Malloy didn’t have real friends. At least, that’s what my report cards from eighth grade say.
I glance at the time and groan. “I gotta go. Work calls. It’s my last night.”
“Good. I never liked that you worked there. It was too risky, even with your disguise.”
