Page 37 of Consume Me

He made me do it. That will be my damn defense.

At the end of classes, everyone waits for me in front of our house. There’s a nervous energy swirling around as we head to our cars, once again girls in one and the guys in another.

Abigail raps along to the music as Celine drives, tapping on the wheel. Neither Bailey nor I love driving that much, so they take turns. I doubt it’s the same story with the guys, though—they always argue over who gets to drive, which is why they’re always late.

“I swear I’m going to make them draw straws next time,” Abi says, shaking her head.

“Men,” Celine replies. When we see the headlights approaching, we all look to see who won this time. Blake is behind the wheel while the others step out with sulking faces.

“Guys, really?” Abi asks.

“We should take our own damn cars,” Dane mumbles.

Samuel opens the door, wearing a clouded expression. As we step inside, guards move up and down the hallway, and we come to an abrupt halt.

“What’s wrong?” Kaden asks.

“Ma’am awaits you in her office,” Samuel replies, features pulled taut.

With every step, tension coils around me, making my steps falter. Something happened.

Once we’re in her office, Cassandra turns around by the window. “Felix and Caleb have escaped.”

The air whooshes from my lungs. Blake comes to my side, and that offers me strength.

“How the fuck is that possible?” Kaden says, pacing around.

“I knew I should have killed those motherfuckers,” Dane says, rage burning in his eyes.

“They had help. We found the guards passed out on the floor, and the cameras were cut.”

“An inside job,” Blake says.

“Any suspects?” Celine asks.

“All the seniors?” Abigail says.

A nervous silence follows.

“I don’t want any of you alone from now on.”

“Ma’am, I am an F1 driver. The season starts in three months, and I can’t fucking leave Abigail knowing those two are out there,” Dane says.

“We’ll figure it out by then. I am deeply sorry, but we don’t know who helped them, or where they are…”

“My father will come after Mia,” Blake says.

“And Felix after Abigail,” Dane says, letting out a string of curses.

“Those are speculations at best. The only thing we know for sure is they want revenge and any of us would do,” Abigail says.

“I will post men and monitor access to the college, and they will patrol the grounds day and night. The traitors will be found, just like Felix and Caleb, and they will be dealt with once and for all. I am not putting your lives in jeopardy anymore.”

I notice the struggle in her eyes. She wants to lead by moral example, but she can’t anymore. It’s them or us, and I will do everything it takes to keep my people safe.

“Who do you trust?” Blake asks.

“Sebastian, Cillian, and Christine.”

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