Page 147 of Wicked Brutal

Across the table, X says, “You gonna eat those?” His eyes flick toward my phone for less than a second.

“No.”

He steals my fries. “Thanks.”

“Roman’s here,” I say without moving my mouth much.

X keeps chewing. “Where?”

“Office.”

Danny hears him. So does Kaid. Nobody reacts.

Iz reaches across the table and steals one of my chicken tenders. “Why?”

“Don’t know.”

“Ally?”

“Knows.”

That’s the one that changes Iz. Not visibly. But I’ve known him too long. His shoulders settle. Ready.

My phone vibrates again. This time it’s Ally.

Ally: music room

I stand. Danny looks up. “Where are you going?”

“Apparently the cafeteria’s food has finally won.”

“RIP.”

“Tell my story.”

“Absolutely not.”

I leave without looking toward Penny. Without looking toward the front office. And definitely without looking for Roman. If he’s here unexpectedly after everything that happened yesterday, the last thing I need is Roman O’Toole seeing me suddenly become interested in his location.

I take the back stairs. Third floor. Music wing. The door is unlocked. I open it. Ally is standing beside the piano. Not sitting. Not pacing. Just standing there with both hands wrapped around the strap of her bag. I close the door. Lock it.

“What’s wrong?”

“My dad’s here.” Ally looks toward the door. “He isn’t supposed to be here. He told Mom he’d be in Boston most of today.”

“Did he see you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Okay. Did you see anything?”

She takes a breath. “Paperwork.”

My attention sharpens “What kind?”

“Transfer request.”

Everything stops. “What?”