Page 27 of Pretty Girls Never Lie (St. Mary’s)

My mouth stays shut because my head is too messy to form rational thoughts. Going behind Isla’s back is an act she’ll see as betrayal, but I know it’s the right thing to do, even if she’ll hate me afterward.

It’s probably better that she does hate me, because then I’ll be forced to let her go. Rationally, it’s a good move because how can there ever be a future for us when we share a secret that’s not only gruesome but also traumatic? Our pasts are interlinked with so much suffering that I’m just waiting for the moment she realizes who I really am. Not to mention, my father is still a threat to us both.

“I also can’t believe you blackmailed me into doing thisyourway.”

I snort before glancing at Raven. We’re both crouched on the ground, waiting for Isla to sneak away into Zachary’s car. Mystomach is in knots, but Isla told me to do what feels right, and even though my head is telling me that this isn’t the right thing to do, I know in my bones that it is. My thoughts are fueled by my father’s gruff voice telling me to kill the bastard and dispose of his body the same way he did Isla’s father, but I made the decision to back Isaiah and force our fathers into prison–which means ending all unlawful acts. Otherwise, I’ll end up just like him, and that’s never fucking happening.

My knees come up and act as ledges for my arms. “I can assure you that you do not want me to do this another way.”

Months ago, I would have gathered the Rebels and put this man in the ground.Permanently.

Raven sighs. “I should have pulled her aside and told her what I was planning to do with Thomas.”

I shake my head. “She would have never agreed to it, and you know it. Not to mention, you technically have no authority over her. Or Thomas. Especially not with your new position here.” I put my attention back on the front doors of St. Mary’s. My heart is pumping harder than usual, and adrenaline tingles the tips of my fingers.

“You know her pretty well for only meeting her for the first time a few weeks ago.”

I snort again. St. Mary’s newest guidance counselor isn’t going to get shit out of me, even with the tick of curiosity coming from her.

“And you know Tate pretty well for only meeting him for the first time a few weeks ago,” I counter, eyeing her for a quick second to see her cheeks ripen with heat.

“That’s none of your business.”

I shrug. “Lucky for you, I keep my business to myself as long as everything goes to plan.”

Raven sighs again, and we sit in silence for another half hour before I start to get overly antsy. I jump to my feet, and she does the same. “What are you doing?”

“He should have been here by now.”

“Maybe she knows that Thomas is going to be with a new foster family.”

I shake my head and start for the doors. “He wouldn’t risk telling her, because that’s the only thing tying them together.” Manipulative men are smart.

“Well then, where is he?” Raven looks around and nibbles on her bottom lip.

“Raven?”

We both turn at the sound of the headmaster’s voice.Great.

“Tate.” Raven’s voice brims with guilt, and she turns to look at me at the exact same time the headmaster does.

He puts his hands on his hips and sighs disapprovingly. “Go on and tell me, Brantley. I’ve known you far too long to deal with the bullshit, so what’s going on with Isla?”

My eyebrows crowd before I chuckle. “Gemma called you, didn’t she?”Damn her.

“Sucks to have a friend whose father is the headmaster, huh?”

He looks so pleased with himself as we all shuffle into his office. Raven fills the headmaster in about Zachary and how he’s using Isla’s younger brother as leverage to get to Isla.

Tate groans with a rub of his face. “Go get Isla.”

I teeter between telling him to fuck off, but instead, I turn to head to Isla’s room. I told her I had no idea what I was doing when it came to her, and that much is obvious by the pounding of my heart backing every one of my movements.

I’m not even in the hallway yet when the door to the school opens. I spin and see her standing there with her hands down by her sides.

“What did you do?” Isla punctuates every word with force.

I get right to the point because there is no need to mince my explanation.Fuck, she knows.“What needed to be done. I’m not going to let some asshole manipulate you.”

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