Page 112 of The Forbidden Note

“There’s this saying that the ghost of the student who was murdered still roams around the school.”

Dutch looks grossed out.

I shudder.

“I thought it was just an urban legend.” Finn smirks. “I had no idea it was based on a real murder.”

My brother is insane. Why is he smiling like that?

“I was thinking…” I murmur, “what if we forge an alliance?”

“With who?” Dutch asks.

“Grey. We’ll help her investigate and dish out all the revenge she wants. In return, she convinces her mom to leave dad.”

“I like it,” Finn says.

Dutch looks at me. “You sure you’re doing this for the right reasons?”

“What other reasons could I have?”

He just stares me down.

“It’s a work partnership.”

Finn snorts. I get the idea that he doesn’t believe me.

Dutch’s eyes are the same shape as mine yet it’s more than just the colors that are different. His is filled with a lot more darkness. The three of us are the same age, but he always acts like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

“It’s one thing if Miss Jamieson is someone you’re screwing around with,” Dutch warns. “It’s different if she gets involved in our business. You blow things up with her, it could ruin everything for us.”

“You’re acting like I’m radioactive.”

Dutch doesn’t laugh. He just keeps staring.

I lift my chin. “Grey and I… have an understanding. Besides, she’ll need our help more than we need hers.”

Dutch relents and finally looks down.

Finn picks up his book again. “What do you think dad is doing right now?”

“Marian said he’s on tour.” I walk over to the mini-fridge. The moment I open the door, I see a bunch of face masks, sparkling water, and girly crap.

I push past the sparkling water and grab a beer.

“I haven’t seen any articles about him,” Dutch says.

“I feel uneasy. Whenever dad’s too quiet, he comes back with something crazy.”

“Like that time he decided to teach at Redwood,” I agree.

“Or that time he sent Cadence across Europe and tossed me in jail,” Dutch murmurs.

Finn grunts in agreement.

“We can’t predict what dad will do next,” I tell them. “Right now, we have our own thing. We’ll deal with dad when he strikes.”

Dutch glances at Finn who nods.

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