Page 94 of Depraved Boys

“I-I’d like to press charges, please.” Those girls had to know there would be repercussions for their acts.

“Alright. The next step is to obtain genetic samples from each suspect. Get in touch to confirm the names of all the girls you recognized from the assault.”

“Thank you.”

The curtains remained around my bed, but I was grateful for the privacy. Resentment and disapproval tinged the eyes and voice and movements of each person who stepped into my little space. No matter how many times I brought up the fact that I would never drink and drive, nobody seemed to believe me.

I turned my head to the fluorescent ceiling lights and sighed. Perhaps they’d heard that excuse hundreds of times from those brought in with alcohol-related blackouts. Why would they think of me any different?

Later, as I poked at the mashed potato topping of my shepherd’s pie, the curtains swished open. I glanced up to find Sebastian, Leopold, and Prakash advancing toward me.

I dropped my fork and drew in a sharp breath through my teeth. “H-how—”

“Willow, I’m so sorry.” Sebastian grabbed my hands and placed them on his lips. “What on earth happened after you left?”

My heart stuttered out rapid beats, and I stared into Sebastian’s terror-stricken eyes. “I-I don’t remember anything.”

His expression on his face slackened into blank shock. “Nothing?”

“Willow.” Leopold pushed himself forward. “Do you remember seeing—”

“Wait.” Sebastian held out a hand to silence his friend.

I turned my gaze to Leopold, whose face twisted with annoyance, and to Prakash, whose brows furrowed. Neither of their expressions gave anything away.

“Tell us everything you remember from Monday night,” said Sebastian.

“That’s the problem.” I blew out a long breath. “Everything from the time you drove me back from the hideout is a blank. Can you help me piece together what happened the rest of the day?”

Sebastian’s gaze dropped to my hands. I turned to Prakash, who tilted his head to the side, examining me with the oddest expression. It was the one he used when Miss Weir made him estimate an answer to a question without using his calculator.

“You and Kash got drunk together, then later in the evening, I heard you arguing with Seb,” Leopold blurted.

I turned to Sebastian. “About what?”

“Miss Claymore was also there,” Leopold added in an accusing tone.

Sebastian turned to Leopold and snarled, “She caught us together.”

My insides cringed. Miss Claymore despised Sebastian and seemed to relish the opportunity to punish him for supposed bullying. If she caught Sebastian kissing me goodnight, then she would probably try to punish him for assault. “I hope she wasn’t too hard on you.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Sebastian squeezed my hand. “Let’s work out how you ended up in a car halfway down a mountain.”

A nurse flung the curtains open. “This patient isn’t allowed visitors. Leave, before I call security.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Days later, I couldn’t even look Uncle Trevor in the eye when he came to collect me. He’d already said it all the last time we’d met, and I hadn’t listened to a word he had said. Not only had I refused his help and walked into an ambush of groping bastards, but now, the bullies had escalated and staged an accident with me in Mom’s car. The worst part was that no one believed me.

“Willow…” His voice trailed off.

The burning, agonizing shame of once again being a victim curled my spine. I dipped my head and squeezed my eyes shut. What could he possibly think after being told that I had gotten into an accident after drink-driving? What would he think when I told him that it was the bullies?

“I brought you something of Hortense’s to put on,” he said. “The police took your school uniform as evidence.”

My fists closed over the sheets. “Are they going to press charges?”

He sighed. “I called the station every day, and each time they tell me that they’re still considering your case.”