Gage gave a noncommittal shrug. “I might have called them too.”
Pangs sliced my chest wide open as my friends gathered around us, willing to risk everything to help me. They had no idea what was going on or how dangerous this was, but they came regardless.
“You guys can’t be here.” I shoved the gun into my waistband and jammed my hand through my hair as panic attempted to override everything. “There’s so much you don’t know.”
Axel scoffed. “Your mother would kill me if I let anything happen to her baby boy. She already hounds me about making sure you’re eating and getting enough sleep.”
Lexi cleared her throat. “I hate to ruin this bromance moment, but someone needs to get Cordi.”
“I’m on it.” Axel jogged to the left, disappearing through one of the doors.
“She’ll be fine.” Slate lifted his hand to pat Lexi’s shoulder but stepped back when he noticed my scowl. “Cordi’s a tough cookie.”
He winked one of his hazel eyes and grinned, turning on that Wentworth charm.
The prick just couldn’t help himself.
Gage dug into his pocket, pulled out a card, and passed it to me. A spider insignia covered the front, and the details ofmy meeting with a member of Arcane were written on the back. “Just be careful. These guys are dangerous.”
I gave a sharp nod and shoved the card into my pocket before turning to Lexi. “You won’t like what I’m about to do.” Arcane was the same underground organization Gregory Banks used to get that incriminating information on Stan.
Lexi’s gaze fell to the splatters of Stan’s dried blood on my neck. “Does this have to do with the video?”
When I nodded, a flare of anxiety darkened her blue eyes. “I don’t know any other way to make Stan pay. Except for killing him, which I’m not opposed to.”
“As much as I’d like that creep to be wiped from this world, I’d rather you not be sent to prison for murder.”
I probably wouldn’t make it to prison. The Serpents & Daggers could terminate me well before then.
Lexi sucked in a deep breath and hardened her expression like she was preparing for battle. Her fiery side emerged, her nostrils flaring and teeth shining as she scowled. “I want him to suffer. You have to take that video to the police.”
“That’s not exactly what I’m doing, Red.” I tucked a piece of auburn hair behind her ear. “Stan has too many friends to go that route.”
“So, what are you going to do?” she asked.
“Cordi’s okay, but we should probably get her checked out.” Axel strolled into the atrium, cradling an unconscious Cordelia to his chest.
Gage’s gaze shifted in her direction, and something unreadable flashed across his expression. It was gone just as quickly.
Lexi tried to dart toward them, but my hand still firmly gripped hers. I just couldn’t let her go. Not yet.
She looked back at me as her patience evaporated. “Kill!”
I grumbled and finally released her. Once Lexi made it to her friend, she smoothed her hand over Cordi’s face, brushing off a smudge of dirt.
“What are we doing with him?” Slate flicked raven locks from his face and nudged—more like kicked—Bass. My stepbrother glowered but remained silent. “We could strip him and duct tape him to the fountain outside Davenport Auditorium.”
Gage shrugged. “I’m okay with letting this little fuck die.”
“Nah, we'd better get him to a doctor.” A terrifying smile melted over Axel’s face, reminding me he wasn’t always the fun, lovable jock. “Let me handle Bass. You can take Cordi, Gage.”
Gage barely had time to react before Axel dropped Cordelia into his arms. “Uh, no. She’syourfriend. You deal with her and leave me to Bass.”
Slate shook his head. “No way, Van Horn. You might kill him.”
“So you think dumping Cordelia on me is better?” His muscles stiffened to stone as if this was the most uncomfortable position he’d ever been in.
Lexi side-eyed him. “If anything happens to her, I’ll kick your ass.”
