Page 156 of The Forbidden Note

The lingerie in my pocket is proof. She might have given up on us before we’ve even begun, but I’m just getting started.

* * *

We work hard and fast, but there are way too many boxes.

Footsteps thump down the stairs.

I go tense until I see Rick appear.

“I’m hearing some chatter on the feed, guys. They’re about to do rounds.”

“Of shots?” I ask with a smirk.

Dutch scowls at me, but at least Cadey gives me a pity snort.

This is why she’s the more likable half of that couple.

“I think he means something else,” Finn says darkly.

Grey sighs. “It’s Redwood Prep administrative policy. Teachers and guards do a buddy system team-up. They go around checking every classroom and making sure students aren’t doing anything…wrong.”

Our eyes meet across the room.

I smirk and pat the side of my pocket. Totally unashamed.

Her eyes dart away.

Dutch frowns at Rick. “So we hide out until the sweep is over?”

Rick scratches his chin nervously. “There’s no official ending point. Even if we stay down here until they clear this floor, they’ll be paying attention to the exit points. It’s going to be hard to explain why you’re roaming with these trolleys, even if you’re wearing the waiting staff outfits.”

“These masks cover most of our faces,” Sol says, tapping the plastic he shoved to the top of his head. “They won’t recognize us anyway.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Rick’s eyes jump from me to Finn, Dutch, and Sol. “You four kind of stand out, even with your faces covered.”

“We won’t take much longer,” I say.

“We’re almost finished in here,” Cadey agrees.

Behind her, Sol shows a thumbs up. “I’m almost finished too.”

“Someone keep the lighter away from him until we’ve cleared this room,” I mumble.

Sol flips me off.

Grey lifts a giant box of documents. Papers fly off the top.

My eyes widen and I rush over to her. Yanking the box away, I shove it on the trolley.

“I told you not to lift the heavy things,” I scold.

“I’m fine.”

My gaze darkens. “Pick up one of those heavy boxes again and see what happens.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Baby, it’s whatever you want it to be.”

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