Viola
You’re becoming predictable.
That’s Dante’s latest message.
He sends it from his old number so I know it’s him. No need to use Quinn’s phone now since I’ve seen through his games. Not that he’s made his move yet, but I know he will. He’s not the patient type. He likes to get in and out quickly. If he’s still working for Polina, then he won’t wait the week now that he suspects I’m still with the boys. A choice he seems to find amusing.
He’s trying to piss me off, and it’s working. The drive by to Stanton was a waste of time. Quinn’s office was closed up, windows dark, when we got there. Dante is goading me to break into Quinn’s office, I know it.
Did I mention that I hate to lose?
Apart from Dante’s cryptic texts taunting me, the next few days go by without event. Jude doesn’t get into any fights, and Dino isn’t badgering me for answers. I’m free to stalk my prey at Royal Deacon alone and unbothered like I prefer. Dino didn’t even ask what we were doing outside Quinn’s office. He was too busy checking his own messages. It gave me space to study the cars and where they were parked, and compare them to previous visits.
Dino’s distracted state continues throughout the week while Lorcan is away. I’m not so caught up in my own games that I don’t notice him skipping class or getting up in the middle of one to leave. Advanced mathematics, fourth period, he suddenly gets up and walks out.
A few seconds later, much to the annoyance of Miss Douglas who seems to have a grudge against me, I get up and follow after him.
I find Dino between the sports field and the pool house. He’s not alone. One of Razor’s fucking guys—I can tell by his serrated undercut—has a switchblade to his throat. They’re talking but I can’t hear them since I’m at the other end of the field.
Dino suddenly sneers. This only makes his attacker press harder. I’m surprised at Dino. He’s constantly having a go at Jude for fighting with Razor’s guys, and now here he is…getting his ass handed to him.
A slash of red erupts where the metal is.
Red rage erupts inside me too.
Nothing matters anymore.
Letting the air out of my lungs, I walk quickly in their direction. In a hidden skirt pocket is a ‘hot shot’ syringe that I keep for emergencies. I premeasured it out for Jude, just in case I needed to knock the bastard out for any reason. The guy holding Dino has his back to me, but he’s roughly the same size.
Quiet as a mouse, I come up behind them. Dino sees me. His eyes widen. He opens his mouth to say something.
Whatever it is, I don’t hear it.
I’m lost in the moment.
I jam the needle in the guy’s neck. He goes down like a sack of bricks, the blade in his hand rolling out of it and onto the concrete floor. I bend down to pick up the switchblade and start rolling up the guy’s sleeve. If this is to be an overdose, they’ll look for track marks. I should administer the rest of the drugs.
But Dino is looking at me like I’m the devil.
Against my better judgement, I calmly insert the half-filled needle into the guy’s arm, without giving him another dose, and then wipe it clean of prints.
“Fuck’s sake.” Dino huffs, as I get to my feet. “What the hell did you do to him?”
I look down at the guy now vomiting. He’s actually not as big as Jude. The half dose might have been too much. I glance back up at Dino. His baby blues are filled with a mix of emotions I can’t decipher.
“He’s overdosing on opiates. We should probably call him an ambulance.” I take out my phone and dial the emergency services.
He arches a brow. “Oh, you think?” Sarcastic prick. He runs a hand through his hair. “We’re fucking screwed.” He laughs, shaking his head.
“We found him like this,” I say to Dino a second before the operator answers. I give them enough details for them to send out a first response unit, and then it’s my turn to drag Dino back down the hall.
“Where the fuck are we going?”
“You need to go back to class,” I say, hauling his ass down the pathway that leads back into the school. He’s not making it easy. I look around but I can’t see anyone. I was so engrossed in saving Dino, I didn’t check the area properly for witnesses or cameras. Either I’m losing my touch, or these boys are my weak spot.
Or should I say rage spot.
“You want me to go back after…after what you just did?”he spits out.