VIOLA
Quinn is furious with us for kidnapping Pascal, but I deal with her the same way I dealt with all the fucking drama—I let it wash over me.
My wrist aches after the stunt we pulled, but it was worth it. As soon as we got back to the school gates, an enraged Griffin called Pascal’s phone. After we assured him we wouldn’t hurt her, it was just to get his attention, he offered to broker a trade with Adrien. Rebecca for Pascal.
Dante stalks off somewhere into the depths of the school, so I take a moment to myself. I leave Quinn to fuss over the crying girl and go to the room I’ve commandeered as mine. As soon as I shut the door, I lean against it with my eyes closed. The buzzing is back. It didn’t take long for it to worm its way under my skin. I didn’t kill Kristian so I can only fathom it’s the aftermath of that need coming back to taunt me.
There’s a knock at the door.
I stay as still as possible hoping it will go away.
“Viola, we need to talk to you,” says Dino.
I used to live alone. I used to relish having no one to have to talk to. And now once again, I have people who think it’s fine to beat down my door and demand to talk whenever it suits them.
With a sigh, I pull away from the door and open it. Lorcan and Dino are waiting behind it for me to let them in. Actually, Lorcan doesn’t wait. He strides in, followed by a hesitant Dino.
“You kidnapped a girl?” Dino hisses as soon as he sees me. The asshole has been avoiding me for the past week. He doesn’t get an answer.
I shoot my eyes heavenward and shut the door so everyone can’t hear. I could tell them it was Dante’s idea but that would just cause conflict between them, and Lorcan was just coming round to the idea of Dante being part of whatever this is.
What is this?
I give an internal shrug to that question and stare at Lorcan. “We’re just borrowing her to get leverage on Griffin. It’s just until we get my mother back and we know Jude is safe.”
That unsettles them. The accusation in their eyes is annoying but after letting that sink in, it’s replaced with confusion. Lorcan looks confused anyway.
“Dino didn’t tell you,” I say to Lorcan, glancing at Dino for confirmation.
His brow furrows. “No, what didn’t you fucking tell me?”
Interesting. Dino is keeping secrets now. He usually tells Lorcan everything. He glares at Dino so I continue so we can all move on. “Kristian threatened Jude. That’s why Dino didn’t kill him,” I say.
“Griffin’s boys are at St Michael’s” Lorcan says, nodding.
“That’s why we took his niece.”
“Then we get Jude out,” says Lorcan simply.
“You can do that?” I ask him.
“If he hasn’t found Byron by now, then he’s not going to. I’ll call his lawyer tomorrow and arrange it.”
I furrow my brow. “Do I want to know how?”
Lorcan rubs his chin, letting out a breath. “I don’t want to call it a bribe but there are special program initiatives that he can be elected for if certain donations are made. It also helps that my father kept videotapes of everyone who has ever abused his network of underage girls.”
I nod, taking it in. Good to know Duke has that reach.
“I still don’t like it,” says Dino. “She’s just a teenager for fuck’s sake.”
There’s another knock at the door. I roll my eyes again because what else can I do? “Come in. Everyone come in and join the fucking party.”
It’s Quinn. She tosses her hair as she strides in. Behind her is a timid looking Pascal who shrinks behind the tall Asian as soon as she sees me.
“You can come in too. I’m not going to bite,” I snap.
Dino frowns at me and I have to dig my nails into the palm of my hand to stop myself from screaming.