Page 268 of Wicked Brutal

“Alison—“

“Don’t.”

Becca is standing before I realize she’s moved. Cat stands with her. My hand flies over my stomach.

Bella looks at it. “Holy shit.”

“Don’t look at my baby.” The words come out sharp. Angry. Terrified.

Bella’s eyes snap to mine. “You cannot tell anyone.”

“I wasn’t going to—“

“You cannot.”

“Ally—“

“Don’t tell me it’s fine.”

Cat moves to my left. Becca takes my right. Cat’s face goes blank. Cold. Becca’s softness disappears. Bella looks between them. Penny is still sitting, watching, waiting — and somehow she’s the scariest one in the room.

Bella looks back at me. “I’m not telling anyone.”

“You swear?”

“I swear. I don’t tell your friends. I don’t tell your family. I don’t make some clever comment because I think someone already knows.” She says it like she’s reciting my own fear back to me before I can. “I won’t tell anyone.” Then, quieter…“Who knows?”

“None of your fucking business,” Cat says before I can.

“Don’t ask her again,” Becca adds, stepping closer to me.

Penny finally stands. Slowly. Bella looks at her, and Penny smiles — nothing friendly in it at all. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for this.”

“For what?”

“A reason.”

“Penelope.”

“To fuck you up, Whelan.” Bella stares at her. Penny takes one step closer. “So think very carefully about what comes out of your mouth next.”

“Penny.” She looks at me. I shake my head. Barely. She stops. For me.

Bella looks at the four of us. Then at my stomach. Then at the bruises still wrapped around my arms. “Fuck.” And she turns and crosses the sitting room and locks the suite door.

Penny moves instantly. “What the fuck are you doing?”

The click echoes. Bella tests the handle. Once. Twice. When she turns back around she’s pale — actually pale, in a way I’ve never seen on her.

“Making sure nobody else walks in.” Nobody says anything. Her eyes find mine. “Does Roman know?”

My fear catches fire. “Why?”

“Does he?”

“You don’t get to ask me that.”

“Okay.” Her eyes stay on mine. “Does Tremblay?”