Page 168 of The Forbidden Note

A smirk curls his lips. “I bet someone will upload a few videos to Jinx’s app.”

“You sound like you’re actually excited about that.”

He shrugs.

I peer through the trees.

From here, we can spot the school’s back steps. My eyes catch on the staircase where I caught Hall trying to drag Grey away.

There aren’t any cameras back there.

Which is why he probably thought he could get away with that crap.

“Come on.” I wrench my mask off and wipe my sweat with the sleeve of my shirt. “I’ll take you home.”

“I’m not riding behind you on your bike,” Sol grunts.

“Fine. Walk home then.”

Sol grumbles under his breath but starts walking with me.

We’re halfway to my bike when a black van appears out of nowhere. It screams to a stop on the curb and a bunch of thugs in suits pour out and surround us. My first thought is that dad sent someone to teach us a lesson, but that goes out the window when I see Hall.

He’s leading the pack and he’s got a murderous glint in his eyes.

“I’ve been looking all over for you, Cross. Nice of you to finally show.”

CHAPTERFORTY-ONE

ZANE

Hall is holding a sharp, wicked-looking knife with a serrated edge.

I want to laugh in his face.

This guy golfs with the owner of a shopping mall and rides around in his parents’ yacht on the weekends. He eats curated cheeses and salami on a charcuterie board that he specially requests from the cafeteria and complains when they don’t carry his sparkling water at the right room temp.

He’s not a street fighter.

He’s nothing but a piece of crap.

And yet, he’s standing here with a knife acting like he’s tough.

I’m going to enjoy ripping him to shreds.

I shoot a quick glance at Sol.

He peers at me from behind his mask.

I jut my chin at the highway, indicating he should run. My best friend rips his mask off, a crazed smile on his face.

And I understand it as if he spoke out loud.

There’s no freaking way he’s leaving.

Not because he cares about me.

Although I’m sure there’s some of that mixed in.

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