Page 73 of The Broken Note

I don’t care. I’m not depending on him to fix anything for me, but if he wants to use his evil for good this time, I’m not going to stop him.

Musical chimes ring faintly.

How long was I asleep? It’s already time for class.

My eyes slide over Dutch and land on Sol. “You coming?”

“Where?”

“Algebra.” I nod at The Kings. “I don’t expectthemto actually care about their education.”

Zane chuckles and falls into the couch, right in the place where I was sleeping. “You really didn’t tame her well enough, Dutch.”

My fingers coil into fists. I’d punch him if not for the bell chiming again.

“Am I free to go or do you want me to lie back down so you can creepily watch me while I sleep?” I arch an eyebrow in challenge.

Finn looks amused. He withdraws from us and settles into the nook with a tablet balanced on his knee.

“You can go,” Dutch says.

I flounce past in a whirl of sleep-tussled hair and plaid, only to be snatched around the arm by Dutch. He shoves me into the wall near the trophy case and puts a hand next to my face, leaning in.

“Sit with us at lunch.”

“Get your hands off me,” I growl.

He doesn’t flinch. “If you make me look all over this school for you, Cadey, you won’t like what happens when I find you.” He covers me with his form, his hard chest brushing against the buttons on my shirt. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

My body arches into him, seeking him out like he’s my own personal drug.

I’m repulsed by the instant and desperate ache that forms between my legs.

Dutch grips my chin. “Got it?”

I yank my face out of his grasp.

He must take that as confirmation because he steps back and gestures for Sol to open the door.

I huff and stalk out, hearing Zane’s twisted laughter flowing behind me.

“How are you friends with them?” I grind out, my steps quick—not because I’m in a hurry to get to class but because I’m so pissed off. “They’re animals.”

Sol joins me. His tone is contemplative. “You seem different.”

“What do you mean?” I’m still upset so the words are hurled like an accusation.

He watches me with eyes that are sadder and darker than they were before.

Annoyed, I turn the corner.

Maybe I am different.

A lot has happened since Sol returned to Redwood. Life hammered me from all sides and broke me. Made the rough edges sharper. Made the softness inside dissolve. I’m colder now. Stronger. The last shred of my innocence was torn away by my worst enemy and now there’s nothing tying me to the childish, hopeful version of me.

Besides, the stakes are way higher now than they were before.

Four high school boys with power and cruelty don’t scare me as much as what mom could do to me and Vi.