“He didn’t do it alone. Other government officials were involved. They paid someone to carry out the hit, but he failed and testified against them.”
I struggled to find the most soothing words I could. Even though I felt emotionally drained, I was happy she trusted me. Few people did.
“I’m sorry, Daphne.” That was what I came up with.
I wasn’t the best with words. I preferred to listen because it was what I’d done all my life. In fact, when the court had ordered me to attend therapy, I’d ended up asking the therapist questions about her life. Even found out her husband was cheating.
Her smile was genuine. “Thanks, Blair.”
“Is that why Enzo said the Brooks comment to you?”
“One of them, but there are several reasons I hate the fakest man in the country.”
“How are you still friends with Adelina?” I hoped my question didn’t come off too strong.
“It obviously put a strain on our relationship, but our moms had been best friends since they’d attended Saint Vale. My mom divorced my father after he went to prison, removed him from our lives, and life went on. My mother is a royal, so her position offered us protection from complete social isolation.”
“A royal?”
“She’s the princess of Calira.”
Since I wasn’t that great with geography, I made a note to look up that country. “That means you’re a princess.”
“Yes, but I only mention that to my grandparents when I want a new handbag. Otherwise, it feels … weird.”
“Whoa, I’ve never been in the presence of royalty.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s not as luxurious as it seems.”
“Where’s your father now?”
“A maximum-security federal prison in Arizona.”
“Do you ever see him?”
“I’m not allowed to.” Her face was unreadable, completely blank, so I couldn’t tell if that affected her.
I felt that same pain, though. Deep down, I hated my father. Like hers, mine was harmful, a danger to society, while also influential in a completely different way. Those kinds of men left too much wreckage behind to ever clean up.
We pulled away at the knock on the door.
Daphne cleared her throat and smoothed a wrinkle from her Versace pajamas. “My guess is, that’s for you.”
I slipped off the bed, whispering, “Please don’t be Enzo,” and crossed my fingers on my walk to the door.
I wished the door had a peephole as I swung the door open and stumbled back a step. My head throbbed, as I already knew that whatever was about to happen might be worse than Enzo’s version of waterboarding.
“Blair, come with me,” Headmaster Arisono said, wearing another one of her pantsuits. This one was blue.
I peered over my shoulder at Daphne, who was now perched on the edge of her bed, trying to see who was there.
Arisono, I tried to mouth without her noticing.
She most definitely did, though.
Daphne pressed both hands to her cheeks, mouthing back,What the actual fuck?
I gulped, feeling spit slide down my throat. “Let me grab my shoes.”
