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I kept reminding myself of that as I made my way toward the cafeteria. I’d stayed late in class, letting the hallways clear a bit before I headed out. It was one of the things that allowed me to avoid not only Damian, Asher, and Harper, but all the other lemmings in the school who wanted to support either their king or their queen—even if the monarchs weren’t on speaking terms still.
As I made my way toward the cafeteria, I noticed Michael hanging out in the hallway. He was usually already in there with Damian, so the dull thrum of anxiety in my belly perked up. It reminded me of the day I found Damian and Kira in the bathroom. I’d seen his friends or associates loitering around in the hallway then, too—warning him of my approach.
I swallowed and kept my gaze forward, hoping I was just overthinking. When I rounded the corner at the end of the hall and saw Trent standing outside the cafeteria doors with Liam, I knew something was wrong.
Turn and go home or trudge forward?I asked myself.
There wasn’t long to make a decision. Footsteps echoed in the hallway behind me, and I knew it was Michael. They were boxing me in.
Fuck, I thought as I realized that whatever it was Damian had been going on about, whatever it was the rumors were talking about, was happening today.Right now.
Deciding I both needed to know what it was so I could put it behind me and also that I couldn’t appear weak to them, I pushed on. I wouldn’t let Damian Wolfe get the best of me. Not now. Notever.
Taking a deep breath and steeling myself, I marched toward the cafeteria. As I got closer, I could hear Damian’s voice rising. There were no other voices, so I had no doubts he was talking to a crowd. And judging by how quiet the halls were, it was a big one.
“…will be answered!” His voice grew even louder, and I was able to make out a few words as I approached. “I’m a fair, honest man.” I snorted as I came to a stop in front of Trent and Liam.
Fair and honest wouldneverbe something I’d use to describe him.
“Last chance, little lamb,” Trent said. “Turn and leave. Leave CrestviewandCalifornia.”
“Or what?” I asked, my voice sounding far more confident than I felt. Yeah, I could punch them in the throat, but it wouldn’t do any good. Whatever this was would still happen.
He shrugged. “Or Damian unleashes hell. And trust me, he’s been waiting to do this for a while.”
My heart skipped in my chest, but I forced my breathing to keep steady. Something must have shown on my face, though, because he smirked.
“There’s still time. Just turn and walk away. Go pack your car and leave. That’s it. That’s all you have to do to save yourself,” Liam said.
I shook my head. “If you think I’m going to bow down toanyof you rejects, you’re full of shit.”
Trent’s smirk turned into a full smile, and he nodded.
“Well, I think you should let her pass, then,” Michael said from behind me. “If she’sthateager to be destroyed, let her go. You can only help those who help themselves. Clearly, she’s much dumber than Damian and Asher gave her credit for. No survival instincts at all.”
I rolled my eyes. “What a big boy you are, picking on a girl. You have some serious mommy issues. You should see someone about that.”
He leaned forward and placed his mouth next to my ear. “Your funeral.Enjoy.”
With a quick shove, I was thrust between Trent and Liam and into the cafeteria.
“Ah! Here she is! The guest of honor has arrived!” Damian said with obvious cheer.
He stood on a table at the front of the cafeteria. The staff stood around, looking at one another and wondering what they could do. Nothing. They could do nothing. Even if they tried, Damian would find a way to take their jobs. He had no problems ruining lives when it benefitted him.
“Come on in, Temperance!” he called out with a big smile. There was a yellow packet in one hand while the other gestured for me to walk in.
Whispers met my ears as eyes settled on me. Every step I took was slow, deliberate, as I walked about ten more feet before stopping.
“See, I’m a man of honor,” he said as he crossed his heart with the yellow packet—more than likely to emphasize that it was in his hand. “I know the guys offered you a last chance to leave, but I’m going to give youonemore.” He lifted the packet, twisting it back and forth. “Before I pop this open and unleash everything I learned about you.”
What the fuck?I thought.What the hell’s in the packet?
I looked over to find Luna and Justin moving to stand next to me.
“You need to leave,” Justin warned low in my ear.
“Get out of here while you can,” Luna said. “I don’t know what’s in there, but it isn’t worth your life.”