Page 145 of The Genius
Marco held me closer. “No, I want the real deal. I could never settle for a robot again.”
We lay close for a few minutes until a knock on the door had us sitting up.
“Come in,” Marco called out.
Storm popped his head in. “Are you up?”
“No. Why?”
His voice was vibrating with eagerness. “Because I don’t think you want to miss this.”
“What happened?” I asked. “Is it another party game of Mila’s?”
“No, Solo just showed up and we can’t find Willow.
CHAPTER 32
Solo
Marco
Shelly and I dressed in a hurry.
“Are you coming?” I asked, already halfway to the door while putting on my t-shirt.
“Hang on, I just need to put on shoes.”
“Bring the shoes, you can put them on later.” My voice was eager and I had my hands on the door handle.
“What did Storm mean when he said that they couldn’t find Willow?”
“I don’t know. Hurry up already.”
Shelly swung her hair back and used her fingers to gather it in a ponytail.
“You look cute, now hurry.”
Hand in hand we jogged to the main building and when we turned the corner I stopped in my tracks.
The place outside the school showed that there had been a party last night. Plates, bottles, and bowls were scattered around on top of the five large picnic tables. The chains of lights that made the outside area cozy at night were still lit.
Most people had to be still sleeping, since only a small handful were there. Next to Archer, Tristan, Nero, and Storm stood a giant of man.
“Oh, Mother Nature,” Shelly exclaimed next to me and squeezed my hand.
I hadn’t seen Solomon in ten years and blinked a few times to take him in. Ten years ago, his status as the oldest boy at school had made him the alpha among the boys, outranked only by us mentors.
“What the fuck did you eat?” I asked in awe and walked closer.
“Nice to see you too.” Solomon lifted his chin in a nod.
“Yeah.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t expect this.”
“Hey, Solo.” Shelly stepped closer too and looked tiny compared to him when she leaned her head back. “Is it a medical condition?”
With a quick glance down at Shelly’s hand in mine, Solomon spoke in a polite voice. “You must be Marco’s wife.”
He didn’t recognize her.
