Page 252 of Wicked Brutal

“That’s what I said. She wouldn’t tell me. She shut down. Then she said there are things about the agreement I don’t understand.”

I circle the word. Twice. “Agreement. Not arrangement. What agreement?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything, never signed anything, Dad’s never mentioned paperwork to me.” I underline it anyway. “And after he left, I pushed her again. She told me Dad keeps everything.”

I stop. “Everything?”

“That’s all she’d say. She was terrified, Ryan. She kept looking toward the front of the house even after his car was gone.”

“Then that sentence was probably all she could give you tonight.”

“That’s what I think.” She takes a breath. “And there was the call.”

“Victor.”

“Dad’s phone rang while everything was still happening. He ignored it. It rang again. He looked at the screen and answered. Told Victor he was dealing with something, that he’d been trying to contain what happened at Edgewood since Victor left the school.” I start writing again. “He tried to tell Victor he never should’ve engaged you guys.”

“Tried?”

“Victor cut him off.”

I look up. “You’re sure.”

“I have never once seen anyone interrupt my father and have him stop talking.”

“What happened after?”

“He got angry. Said he’d handle it. Then Victor said something else and Dad told him he’d be there. And left. Immediately.”

I tap the pen against the paper. Roman spent the afternoon cleaning up Victor’s mess. Victor calls. Roman goes. We’ve been looking at them like partners. They’re not.

“Your dad answers to him.”

Ally nods. “I think so.”

“Yeah.” I look at the page. “That changes some shit.”

“I thought it might.”

My eyes drift back to her cheek. She catches me immediately. “Stop staring.”

“I’m trying very hard to behave.”

“That does not sound reassuring.”

“It shouldn’t.” Her mouth threatens a smile. I point at the screen. “Don’t. Your lip.” That makes her smile anyway. She winces. “See?”

“You made me laugh.”

“I’ll add it to Roman’s bill.” Her smile disappears. “Come here.”

“I am here.”

“No, you’re fucking not.” Her face softens. I lie back against my pillows and prop the phone closer. “Get closer.”

She moves the phone until her face fills more of the screen. “Happy?”

“Not even a little.”