Page 272 of Wicked Brutal

Becca reacts with a heart. Cat adds one. Penny adds another. I smile and add mine. Bella stares at the four hearts beneath her message. Then at us.

“You’re all cunts.”

Penny smiles. “Welcome to the group.”

Bella rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t leave.

Ihaven’t slept. Not really. I might’ve managed an hour somewhere between staring at my ceiling and checking my phone for the nine hundredth fucking time, but I’m not counting it.

At 11:47 last night, Ally texted me.

Ally: SOS. Plans changed.

Ally: I’ll tell you tomorrow at school.

That was it. I called. Nothing. Called again. Nothing.

Are you safe?

Three minutes. Three fucking minutes before the bubbles appeared.

Ally: Yes. I promise. Can’t talk here.

So I didn’t climb out my bedroom window, cross the yard, and break into the O’Toole house. Barely.

By first period I know Cat has a plan, because she walks past me without looking in my direction and my phone buzzes.

Cat: Girls locker room. Four minutes.

Cat: Don’t be seen.

I show Kaid. He reads it over my shoulder. “She’s adorable.”

“She terrifies me.”

“She should.”

Three minutes later, five eighteen-year-old guys are standing outside the girls’ locker room like we’re about to commit the world’s stupidest felony. The door cracks. Cat’s hand shoots out, grabs Kaid by the tie, and yanks him inside. We follow. She locks the door behind us.

“This is a girls’ locker room.” Danny looks around. “I’ve always wondered.”

Cat grabs the back of his blazer and shoves him farther inside. “Wonder faster.”

Normally I’d laugh. Today I barely hear him.

Ally is sitting on one of the benches between Becca and Penny. Long sleeves. Makeup over most of the bruise on her face. The cut on her lip is healing. I know what’s under the sleeves — I’ve seen the pictures. Roman’s fucking hands.

I go straight to her. “What changed?”

She stands. “Switzerland.”

My stomach drops. “What about it?”

“I’m not leaving April sixth anymore.”

“When?”

Her eyes meet mine. “Saturday.”