Page 13 of Vicious Games

I’m in hot water now.

“So, what are you going to do?” Lucky focuses his disgruntlement on Sister Margaretta. “If I so much asbreathewrong, you threaten to suspend me. Well? What are you going to do aboutShe-Hulkover here?”

I jerk my head up, eyes narrowing. “Was that a dig at my size?”

Lucky looks at me like I just sprouted another head.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You called me She-Hulk. Was that some kind of jab at my weight?” My fists clench, ready to knock him out again.

Lucky blinks at me in confusion and then taps his temple. “Are youokayup there? I was talking about your temper, not your weight.” He then snaps his focus on the two nuns staring at us. “What is this? Are we dealing with a Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde situation here? Because if she’sunstable,I totally get why you don’t want to suspend her. Crazy people burn down buildings and shit.”

“I amnotcrazy, you jerk!” I shout.

“Could’ve fooled me, sweetheart.” He smirks.

“Don’t call mesweetheart!I have a name.”

“Yeah, Frances, I heard. What kind of name is Frances, anyway? What are you, eighty?”

“Oh, andLuckyis such a good name? What are you, a golden retriever?”

“Woof!”

“CHILDREN!” Sister Margaretta’s voice slices through our bickering like a knife, ensuring we both shut our mouths.

She presses her hands over her forehead for a long moment, then slowly drags them down before looking at us again.

“What am I supposed to do with you two?”

I shrink into my seat, my stomach twisting in knots.

I can deal with a lot, but disappointing the one person whose approval actually matters to me?

Yeah… that doesn’t sit right with me.

Ihatedisappointing her.

Notdislikebut hate it with a fire of a thousand suns.

Sister Margaretta exhales sharply, looking worse for wear. “Luciano is right. I should suspend you, Frances. But then again, Lucianoshouldn’thave been in class today if I had suspended himyesterdaylike I originally intended.”

Lucky’s smirk widens at that.

She glares at him, and he wisely wipes the expression off his face.

“Maybe I should just kickbothof you out,” she threatens, her gaze fixed on Lucky.

No.

No, no, no.

If I get suspended, the orphanagehasto kick me out. No matter how much Sister Margaretta vouches for me, the rules are clear—I can stay at Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Orphanage until I graduate. But if I screw up… if I doanythingto mess up my year… I’mgone.

“Sister Margaretta,” I blurt, my voice nearly shaking. Her gaze lands on me, cold and sharp, sending a cold chill to trickle down my spine. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I promise I won’t do it again. Please don’t kick me out.”

Lucky snorts.

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