Page 118 of Wicked Promises
We slap hands, and he yanks off his hat. His blond hair goes everywhere. He runs a hand through it, messing it up further, and I shake my head. Girls love that untamed look.
“Margo’s back?” he asks.
“They called her in.” I hook my thumb toward the office.
He grimaces. “She’s an old coot. You’re waiting?”
“Figured I would.”
He nods, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Kid gloves.”
I narrow my eyes. “What?”
“You’re treating her with kid gloves.” He shrugs, smiling innocently. “It’s okay. I’m sure Margo appreciates you not leaving her alone…”
I shake my head. “You’re just…”
Jealous?
No.
If anything, Liam’s attitude is more of a brotherly nature—to meandMargo. I try not to think about the time I walked in on them at the party. She was across the room from him, but still.
“It’s going to be a long week,” I say.
He laughs. “Yeah. See you in homeroom.”
Margo appears just as the bell rings. She sticks out her tongue. “So much for meeting you there, huh?”
I put my arm around her shoulders. As we walk, people part for us. They do it more for me than her, but judging from the glances she gets, I would say they’re curious about her. Word must’ve traveled quick.
“You know what’s interesting?” she asks under her breath. Without waiting for my answer, she continues, “Since you found me, I haven’t heard from our mystery stalker. Besides the writing on the walls—literally.”
I sigh. “Unknown called me right before the police came. Everything they’re doing is escalating.”
She shivers. “What’s next?”
More dead birds in her room?
My mood plummets. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
That’s a fucking promise.
The rest of the day passes quietly and quickly. Between the four of us, we keep tabs on Margo. Riley showed up after second period, seeming a bit worse for the wear, and she silently joins the team.
It isn’t like I think something is going to happen to her. I don’t. I just… am worried that I might be wrong.
I come up behind Margo and loop my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my front. She gasps, stiffening for a moment. Once she realizes it’s me, she relaxes.
My lips touch the tip of her ear. “Did I startle you?”
“No,” she lies.
I let her get away with it.
“It’s Robert’s first day back,” she says. “I wonder how he’s doing.”
“Well, we won’t have long to wait.” I close her locker, and together we walk to the art wing. Everyone has been more subdued, and I’m blaming it on my friends. God only knows who they threatened to make the entire school act… normal.