Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 125121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“That he does,” I muttered. “But I’m okay, Katie. They’re not going to pin this on me.”
We climbed the steps to the café. I was already dreaming of banana hazelnut pancakes and a steamy mug of oolong tea. What I was not worried about was that rotting corpse in the morgue. Owen Thasher harassed my sister day and night, and got his buddies to do it too. It got to the point that she shut herself away in her dorm... so Owen attacked her there.
Snapping pictures of his friends violating and assaulting my sister, and then posting it all over his website like she signed up for the world’s worst gang bang.
He had that car and more coming to him. My only regret is that he died quickly.
“But you did have beef with him, didn’t you?” I saw her study me out of the corner of my eye. “Melanie told me you were saying something before he died. About Ashton Scott, Levi, and Owen? Something about rape and assault?”
I replied without hesitation. “Ashton Scott raped my sister. Levi, Wesley, and Owen helped him get away with it. They swore to the dean that Ashton was with them all night, and that Winter was lying to get money out of him.”
Katie stopped dead in the café entrance, jaw hanging open. “What! Are you serious?”
“Never been more serious about anything in my life,” I said flatly.
I tugged Katie on. I was hungry and didn’t need the people streaming past us to overhear our conversation.
“But... But how do you know this?” she asked. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I know because Winter told me.” My throat tightened. “Besides, what was there to say? The dean already decided it was a lie and let that monster get away with it. I’m the one who would’ve gotten in trouble for slander or something if I told everyone what they did.”
“Luna, still. I would’ve believed you and Winter. Hey.” She grabbed my shoulder, making me look in her eyes. “I would have.”
My tension eased just the slightest bit. No mocking. No haughtiness. Only sincerity... and compassion.
I just wish it came sooner to make a difference for you, big sister.
“I know you would have, Katie, because you’re not blind. You see those guys for what they are. That mean streak in Levi goes deep,” I gritted. “Just look at what he’s trying to do to me now that I told the truth about what he did to Winter. He got my sister expelled and ruined her life. Now he’s trying to throw me in jail for murder.”
Katie bared her teeth. “The fuck he is. The filthy shit isn’t getting away with it. None of it. I’ll catch you up after.”
“After? After what?” I called at Katie’s retreating back. She was gone and out the door too fast for me to get out anything else.
I rejoined the line and grabbed a tray. I told the guys they didn’t need to trail me that morning since I was going to breakfast with Katie. She wasn’t anybody’s bodyguard, but I noticed that no one messed with me when she was by my side. Katie didn’t talk about it. She didn’t have to. I saw for myself that being the only one not chained to the Royal system of lies, bribes, and secrets had its benefits.
I sat down to eat alone for the first time in a while. The time with my thoughts is actually nice. I can finally process the fact that I’m close. We’re close, Winter. Three of your five killers are dead. The final two will be soon but not before one of them tells me everything I need to know about the Phantom.
You will rest in peace soon, Winter. I promise.
I picked up my knife and fork, slicing into my pancakes. Yes, a morning to myself was perfect.
I brought my fork to my lips, then dropped it. Shoving my plate away, I took off across the cafeteria.
“You!”
Victor looked up from the tray station, eyes raised at my rapid approach. “Me.”
“So you are alive.”
He glanced down at himself. “Last I checked.”
The asshat was casual as ever in his skintight, stain-defying, green-and-white rugby uniform. He was fresh from a shower—that wasn’t my shower. And well-rested from a good night’s sleep—that wasn’t in my bed.
“I called and texted you all last night and this morning,” I snapped. “After the eightieth text, I accepted I was going to find your body in a ditch today.”
Victor flicked over my shoulder. “So you celebrated by having pancakes. Nice one, Sinclair.”
“Don’t put this on me!” My voice was three octaves louder than it needed to be. I was drawing attention. “What happened? What was that note supposed to mean?”
“Thought it was self-explanatory.” With that, he turned his back and joined the line for bacon.
I slapped the tray out of his hand, snatched his collar, and dragged him over to the soda machines. He let me because if Victor really wanted to get away from me, the six-foot-tall rugby player could do so easily.