“We also left out,” she whispered, leaning in toward Willa, “that we deliberately invited Rad to breakfast and made our case to him before asking for help.”
“Yes, but he wanted to help,” Willa whispered back.
“That’s not the point.” Margo’s eyes held Willa’s. “You know, there was more thanonereason we deliberately targeted Rad.” She glanced pointedly to where June and Holt’s heads were close together as they quietly discussed something, and that’s when Margo noticed June had placed a notepad and pen beside her. “You know that’s going to come out, right?” She looked at her best friend, worry creasing her brow. “We’re going to be in double trouble with them. Especially now that we knowtheir history.”
“Margo, all of this started before we knew the full history between my mother and Holt.” Willa grabbed the platter with the bacon on harder than she intended to and nearly dropped a few pieces.
“That doesn’t change the fact that we nudged them into working together.” Margo picked up the eggs.
“Whatever we do,” Willa’s eyes flicked toward the table and then back, “we absolutely cannot bring that part up.”
Margo stared at her.
“You think my mother and Holt are angry now?” Willa asked quietly. “Wait until they know what else we’ve been meddling in.”
Margo made a face. “We’re in a lot of trouble, aren’t we?”
“Yes.” Willa nodded and sighed resignedly. “But they’re still our best chance right now, and I think they’re angry enough with us without bringing that up or hinting about it.”
“I know,” Margo agreed. “Besides, we don’t want the wrath of you know who, as June’s and Holt's is bad enough.”
“One storm at a time, my dear friend,” Margo said, glancing at the table. “Let’s get through this one first.”
They carried the food through.
As Margo reached the table and set down the bacon, there was a knock at the front door.
Every person in the room looked up.
Margo froze.
“You might want to set another place.” June turned her head slightly toward her.
The words landed oddly.
“Oh?” Margo blinked.
Another knock echoed down the hall.
“I’ll get it,” Willa said quickly.
“No,” Holt said, already rising. “I’ll get this one.”
That was when the cold feeling truly began.
It moved up Margo’s spine in a slow, dreadful line, not because she knew exactly who was at the door but because some instinct in her recognized the shape of this morning. Someone had already gotten to them before dawn. Messages had been sent. Videos altered. Secrets pulled out into the light.
Of course, it wasn't over yet.
Of course, there was someone else.
Holt crossed the hall and opened the door.
Margo didn't hear the first words clearly, only the voice.
And the moment she heard Mina’s familiar drawl carry into the house, every one of the four younger people at the table seemed to have the exact same realization.
They were not merely caught.
