Page 116 of Saints & Sinners

Great.

I hated the part of me that felt satisfied hearing him shut her down. But I was still annoyed. And when Hunter gave me a pointed look, silently telling me to just walk away, I listened. I grabbed my tray and stood, even as Norah’s jeering voice followed me as I walked past her.

“Enjoy your spot while it lasts, Grace. We both know yourfake angel daddypulled some strings to get you in.”

Something snapped.

Without even so much as a thought, I spun on my heel, ready tocharge straight for her, but before I could, Hunter rushed toward me, strong hands wrapping around my waist, and turned me away from Norah.

His grip was firm as I tried to yank myself free from him. “Don’t,” he warned against my ear. “Unless you want to get disqualified.”

I ripped my arm from his hold, the sting of his touch lingering as I spun to face him. “Isn’t that what you want?”

Hunter’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.

Just like always.

Marnie came beside me, tugging at my sleeve. “Come on, let’s just go back to our room.”

I turned with her, stalking away as my pulse hammered against my ears.

I got only as far as the entrance before a loud shriek of disgust echoed through the canteen.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, creep!”

I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Norah standing frozen, covered in what looked like soup and bread, dripping from her shoulders down to her training clothes.

Veronica stood beside her, holding an empty tray with an expression of pure indifference.

“Sorry, didn’t see you there.”

But shedefinitelyhad.

Marnie let out a quiet snort, barely containing her laughter.

I didn’t smile. Not fully.

But it helped.

Just a little.

Chapter Fifty-Five

I was ready to go after Grace, but I knew she didn’t want to hear what I had to say.

“Of course you saw me! You did this on purpose.”

Norah’s shrill voice stung my eardrums as I glanced behind me to where Veronica stood calmly, staring at Norah, now drenched in soup. She was holding an empty tray with that same flat expression she always had on.

Seeing Norah in this state should’ve amused me, but I wasn’t.

Grace was already gone, and the way she snapped back at me a few minutes ago didn’t make things any better.

I rubbed my hand over my face, feeling like fucking shit.

“Hunter Cain?”

I turned sharply at the sound of my name.

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