Page 86 of Filthy Elites

That doesn’t matter. It was the clue he was waiting for, and Sloane just handed it over to him on a silver platter.

I pass a hand over my face. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I saw him. He’s here. I spoke to him… I think he’s bad news. He said I wouldn’t have to worry about Isabelle any longer.”

My blood seems to freeze in my veins.Isabelle. He came for her. My pulse is now pounding in my ears as I walk around Sloane. My mind is focused solely on finding Isabelle and getting her to safety. But there are too many people in my way, and I don’t see her anywhere.

The shriek of a fire alarm blares, followed by the fire sprinklers being activated. Chaos ensues. People panic, the women are all worried now about their fucking gowns. I’m past caring about manners. I shove aside whoever is on my path as I search in a panic for Isabelle. I yell her name like a desperate man.

Sage suddenly steps in front of me, her face as white as a sheet of paper. “Jason, you have to help.”

“Have you seen Isabelle?” I ask, forgetting to use her fake name.

“Who?” She shakes her head. “I just saw a guy drag Nicola out of the room. She was struggling—I don’t think she wanted to go.”

I grab her by the shoulders. “Where did he take her?”

“I think he was headed to the pool.” Her expression falls, guilt setting in her gaze. “I should have followed them.”

“No, you did well by coming to get me. Find your brother, Finn, and the others, and tell them to meet me there.”

“Shouldn’t I get an adult?”

I know what’s going to happen tonight, and the last thing I need is faculty involved.

“No. Please, Sage, do as I say.”

I dash to the first exit I see and then sprint down the hallway, not caring about being subtle. My heart feels like it’s going to burst from my chest, and its drumming is louder than my footsteps.

Just before I reach the double doors leading to the pool, I hear Isabelle’s scream.

* * *

Isabelle

I tryto tell Jason that Juan is present, but as soon as the recital is over, we’re swarmed by people, and before I know it, we’re at the reception and I don’t have the chance. I’m trying my best to be polite to the Montgomerys, when in the corner of my eye, I notice Jason walk away.

Shit.

Another minute passes before I manage to excuse myself. I don't find Jason immediately, so I search for the person I must avoid at all costs. Juan.

I spot Sage next to a woman I guess is her mother. I wave in her direction and start toward her. But I’m barely able to take two steps forward before a beefy hand wraps around my arm.

“Hello, cariño. Long time, no see.”

Juan smiles seductively, but his steely gray eyes are as cold as ice. It’s the gaze of a psychopath. Soulless. My body reacts, seizing in panic. I can’t move, and I can’t breathe, all I can do is stare at his hateful face.

“What? Aren’t you happy to see me?” He traces my jaw with his fingers, sending a shiver of despair down my spine. “Imagine my reaction when I discovered you weren’t dead but frolicking away in a beautiful coastal town in California. That wasn’t the deal, sweet Isabelle. The deal was for you to be rotting six feet under.”

His casual comment about my death snaps something inside of me. I remember who I am, and what I’m fighting for.

“Tough shit, Juan. You can’t always get what you want,” I grit out.

His nostrils flare and cold rage shines in his eyes. He tightens his grip around my arm. “You haven’t learned your lesson. No one crosses me. I guess I’ll have to kill you all over again, and this time, I’ll stay to watch you draw your last breath.”

He drags me toward the nearest exit. Hell to the fucking no. I open my mouth to call for help when the fire alarm goes off, and everything turns to shit. I still try to break free from him, but his grip doesn’t waver.

“Let go of me!” I yell, thrashing against his hold.

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