Page 115 of The Forbidden Note

“After you, Miss J,” Sol says, jutting his chin in the direction of the cafeteria.

I sigh and follow the three students as they commit the most polite form of kidnapping in Redwood Prep history.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

GREY

With Cadence, Sol and Serena shadowing my every move, I change my mind about heading to the basement after school.

My plan is to come back later tonight when everyone is gone. I want to comb over the boxes I previously searched with ‘The Grateful Project’ in mind. Now that I have a direction, I can parse through old information with a new perspective.

But the plan goes to crap when I walk outside.

The Kings are parked directly in front of Redwood.

Dutch is sitting on the edge of the hood, blond hair blowing in the breeze like a silent Viking. Finn is planted sideways in the passenger seat, his super-long legs sprawled out and a book perched between his hands.

Zane is the only one who isn’t lounging. He’s standing up and his stormy blue eyes slice through the crowd like a hawk. When his gaze rams into mine, he smirks like he just found his prey.

A shiver runs down my spine.

“You want to ride with us or with Zane, Miss J?” Cadence asks.

I blink distractedly. “What?”

Serena checks her phone. “Actually, Cadence, could you drop me off at the hospital? It’ll take too long by bus.”

“Of course.” Cadence smiles. “Guess you’re riding with Zane. See you there.”

“There? Where is…” Before I can get the rest of the words out, Zane approaches me.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you suspended?”

“Semantics.”

“You’re not supposed to be on Redwood Prep property. Do you want to get expelled?”

“I’m here to pick you up.”

My lips form a scowl.

“Get in the car, Grey.”

I glance around instead. Students are spilling out of Redwood and they all freeze, staring at us like we’re re-enacting the most dramatic scene inOthello.

Zane walks right up to me. “Should I carry you there?” He taps his shoulder. “For the hell of it?”

“Don’t you dare,” I snarl.

“They’re going to talk either way. So why don’t you give them something to talk about?”

I gasp when his fingers brush my wrist and he tugs me to the car.

Sol gets in the backseat.

Zane slams the door behind me.

A moment later, we’re off.