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I slide my hands into his hair and for once, popularity and all the bullshit that used to matter to me slides away. There’s this spark I want to chase with this boy. Maybe it’s always been there, and I ignored it because of who I thought he was. Or because of who I thought I wanted to be.

Or because I was ashamed I didn’t stand up for him in eighth grade. That I let the crowd steer me because I didn’t know what to do with the feelings I had for the boy who made me a valentine.

I kept the pieces. Every single one. It’s the only time anyone has ever made me anything. I received plenty of store-bought valentines and birthday cards that someone spent a few seconds signing their name to. But this boy spent his time and put his heart into that gift for me.

Maybe I could trust him enough to put my heart in his hands and see what happens.

The door clanks open. We tear away from the kiss, but Will holds me tight against him. We blink at the sudden light pouring in around a dark figure with a white mask, standing in the doorway. His chuckle sounds electronic.

“Put teenagers in the dark and what do you expect?” He shakes his head and tosses a set of keys in the air before catching them. “Come on, blondie. You’re with me.”

Those dead eyes of the mask look directly at me.

Me?

The electronic voice is creepy enough, but the mask... The hair lifts off the nape of my neck and my limbs feel weak. With him? What the fuck is happening?

Kenz and Brandon stand up in the faint light from the open doorway.

“Who are you?” Kenz asks. “What do you want with her?”

“For fuck’s sake.” He shakes his head again. “You’ve been kidnapped and chained to a floor. What the fuck makes you think you can question me?”

I swallow, but don’t move away from Will’s lap. His arms are tight around me, and I have a feeling he’ll never let go. Not like everyone else has.

“Do you need some time to finish there, blondie?” The mask seems to look me over. “Nah, I bet the minute he stuck his dick in you, he finished.”

The chill of the room wraps around me again. The situation we’re in isn’t for the weak. I could sit here and cry, or I could fight. He wants to release me from the chain. If I can get out, I can find help for all of us.

There’s only one of him.

I sat in on a couple of Harper’s final lessons with Caden. Keep hitting. Keep moving. Push them off balance. Run when you can. This could be my moment.

I back off Will’s lap but take his hand and squeeze it to let him know I’m okay with whatever happens. I extend my ankle out to the masked guy.

He steps forward and squats to release my ankle from the metal cuff. When he stands and pockets the key, I stay on the ground. Then he offers me his hand to help me up.

When I try to let go of Will’s hand, he shakes his head. I smile and lean in to press a kiss to his lips.

“Yes, I’ll go to the dance with you.”

I drag in a deep breath. His worried gaze follows me as I offer my hand to the masked guy. As soon as he takes it, I jerk him off balance and spring to my feet, heading to the open door.

A fist connects with someone’s body, and I turn to see Will standing and beating up our captor. It’s enough to make me pause. He reaches into the guy’s pocket for the keys.

The guy’s hand comes up.

“Will!” I try to warn him as I take a step forward. The guy grabs Will around the throat.

Will drops the key and kicks it to Kenz who puts her foot over it. The guy lifts Will so he’s on his toes, his hands curled around the guy’s wrist.

“Let him go!” I yell.

The mask turns toward me, and I stare into the empty, soulless eyes. Will’s face turns red as he struggles to breathe.

Fuck. This is real. Will’s in danger. I need to fix this because this is all my fault.

“I’ll be good. Just put him down.” I put my hands up in front of me. “Please.”