Page 84 of Hidden Lies

“As soon as the guys get back,” he told me, not meeting my eyes.

“Back from where?”

I don’t know if he would have answered or not, but the door banged open before he had a chance and Devan and Micah hurried in.

They, too, had changed their clothes, and Devan had a heavy suitcase slung over his shoulder—wait, not just a suitcase, my suitcase—which he let fall to the floor with a thump.

Garrett shot to his feet. “Well?” he demanded.

“It’s done,” Devan said. His words were clipped and he was slightly out of breath, and Garrett seemed to sag a little bit at the announcement. “But we shouldn’t stick around.”

His eyes fell to me and he rushed to my side, seemingly torn between the desire to pull me into his arms and worry about jostling my wounds. He settled on gently cupping my face in his strong hands and leaning in to press his forehead against mine. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Fuck, Millie, I was so worried.”

Micah spoke up before I could answer, looking at Garrett. “Her bags are packed, and the car is loaded. We’re ready when you are.”

With a squeeze, Devan released me and rose to face the others. I glanced between them, but even though I was clearly the ‘her’ he’d been referring to, the three of them ignored me, their gazes intent on each other, silent communication passing between them that I couldn’t interpret.

Garrett gave an abrupt nod, and then Micah dropped down to crouch by my side.

“Sweetheart, can you walk?”

“I—I think so,” I stuttered, swinging my legs gingerly over the side of the bed. Micah fit his arm under mine, offering support to help me stand, and I took a couple of shaky steps. He released me long enough to grab my coat and held it out, helping me slip my arms through the sleeves.

“We’ll meet you at the car,” Garrett said, casting a pointed glance over his shoulder at Micah that was easy to interpret. Hurry it up or carry her.

I endeavored to hurry, letting Micah bear most of my weight as I passed through the shockingly empty suite and hobbled down the stairs on shaky legs. When had they had the time to clear the place out? I hadn’t been out that long.

The car was parked at the curb outside the dorm, and I glanced around as I slid into the back with Micah and let him help to buckle me in. Garrett and Devan were both already settled up front.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

“At the concert,” Micah answered, and I looked up in surprise.

“What? But…” I’d expected to see the place lit by the flashing strobes of police lights, officers swarming the campus, students milling about, overflowing with gossip and speculation. Had no one heard the gunshot? Did no one know?

But the night was silent and still as Garrett gunned the engine and slid the car in a smooth circle until we were heading down the narrow drive toward the admissions building, and from there out toward the main gate.

The gate was deserted as well, the first time I’d seen the security guard booth empty, and I gaped, twisting to peer over my shoulder as we drove right through as if I expected someone to materialize there and come chasing after us.

No one did.

A few minutes later when Garrett finally merged onto the highway that would take us south to Bangor, I felt the tension in the car lighten a fraction. The set of Devan’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and Micah let out a sigh of relief. Only Garrett remained still and silent, watching the road intently as he sped down the highway.

Micah turned in his seat to face me, sliding closer across the space between us and reaching to pick up my hand, holding it tight in his.

“How are you feeling?” he asked quietly.

I knew he was talking about my face and the wounds in my side, but I answered honestly. “Irritated. Scared. Frustrated. Confused. Like someone who would love to know what the fuck is going on.”

His fingers tightened around mine, as if he was afraid I was about to pull away. But I didn’t. I just watched as he raised his head and met Garrett’s eyes in the rearview mirror.

Garrett’s voice, when it came, was a harsh rasp. “Tell her. It’s over now. Tell her everything.”

45

My heartbeat stuttered at Garrett’s words, and then Micah’s gaze turned back to me. His brow was set with determination, but his hand trembled slightly in mine, and I could see caution swirling in the depths of his eyes.

Devan twisted in the front seat to face us, and I held my breath as Micah began to talk. “Alright. We told you there were six original families that started the Shattered Sun, right?”

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