Caspian kisses my temple. “You make me so damn proud,” he whispers.
Ryan looks like he might faint.
Then Dorothy and Delilah step in front of him, glowing with glitter and grace.
“You will never be welcome in this town, Mr. Rutherford,” Delilah says.
“We protect our own with everything we’ve got,” Dorothy continues. “And this?”
They gesture around the coffee shop, where everyone is staring at Ryan with nothing but contempt on their faces.
“This was just a preview.”
Disbelief and fear flicker across Ryan’s face when he looks at me one more time.
Then he bolts.
The bell jingles.
“Ding-dong,” Ann-Sabrina cackles.
Suddenly I’m so exhausted I can hardly stand, but Caspian’s got me.
He won’t let me fall.
“We’ll go home now,” he says. “Thank you, Baywood Justice Squad.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Thank you.”
Steve wipes his eyes.
“It was an honor.”
CHAPTER 77 – CASPIAN
We’re in the bedroom, under the blanket.
Antonio is crying—a messy release of relief and exhaustion. He was so brave today it breaks my heart.
“Do you think he got it?” he keeps asking. “Do you think he got the message?”
“I know he did.”
“What if he didn’t?”
“He did.”
“I feel so stupid. For letting him bully me for so long.”
“It wasn’t a choice you made. It was a choice he made.”
“What does everyone think of me now? They must think I’m weak.”
“They think you’re strong. This town loves you, Antonio.”
“But why? They don’t even know me.”
“You had me enthralled the second I saw you,” I say. “There’s something very special about you.”
