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CHAPTER 1

There’s no arguing with Ferro The man was livid at this turn of events Apparently, Nate is anti-fracking Or maybe he just hates his father and wants to screw hi to me about it As I drive back to campus, my stomach is in knots Ferro didn’t elaborate on ould happen to Nate if he didn’t agree to fork over the house, but he didn’t need to There’s a soul-sucking darkness in thatnext to a doner suit and a placid s, lazy movement of his limbs and relaxed tones Ferro speaks with can lull a person into a sense of security But around that guy, once your guard drops, you’re toast I have no doubt hu on his actions He’d kill his son if it were required to get what he wants

What the hell did I get myself into? I’ and have no idea who to ask for help If I tell Nate, he’ll dig in his heels If I don’t, and he finds out from someone else—that’s even worse There’s no safe option here, no clear path leading in a direction I want to go I sla wheel and swear

Pita hisses froht now,” I scold

More hissing wafts up fro to tellToo bad I don’t speak raccoon

“That’s nice, Fuzzball, but I need a plan How can I outfox a Ferro?” As the light turns red, I brake and bring the big, rusty bus to a stop

A sleek black convertible full of guys pulls up in the lane next to me The driver's slicked-back hair is the color of honey Coupled with his olive skin and dark shades, he looks totally badass

The passenger directly behind hi up in all directions He’s the only one in the group not wearing sunglasses I can see his dark eyes look up at me Shock skitters across his face, and then his lips curve into a coy grin

He tips his chin up and hollers, “Hey, baby! Nice ride” The guy chortles and buuys who think they’re God’s gift to the opposite sex Rich, spoiled, brats who never had to work hard for anything They all leer up at me, the driver included

I pull the handle that opens the door, press my hand to my chest, and bat my lashes “Really?” My voice is syrupy sweet I sht in my head

The dude with the 'fro, continues, “Yeah, it’s fucking hot Hey, if you want sos, I’m here for you”

I angle lare at hiuy like you shoving his little rusty dick up inside ofBest pickup line ever”

The other guys in the car start laughing as their friend frowns “I didn’t say little!”

“Yeah? Because that’s the only reason I’ to do with the fact that you inferred your little soldier was rusty from misuse Or did you leave hi At the next traffic light, you should really stick to the classics Try, ‘Hey, baby! I wanna melt in your mouth, not in your hand’”

The guys stare at oddess Idiots The light flips to green, and I beaers, and pull aith the bus door still open

The car speeds past ht Assholes Why do they even do that? Has chatting up a girl at a traffic light ever worked? Ito happen? Even if I wanted him, where am I supposed to leave my bus?

Meh I drive on, h the narrow streets near caelot I’ he said fro it, but the bus creeps up behind hi him across the asphalt

When Carter glances behind his shoulder, he flinches and frowns athi over his shoulder “Cut it out, Kerry!”

In response, I inch closer Carter shrieks and takes off at a full run, spewing curses atan entire row of spaces in the teachers' parking lot I’ivespot—I don’t care There was nothing up by the dorine, stuff the keys under the seat, and bound down the steps to see E toward me

She’s excited, her face bright “Holy shit!” She slaps my arm—hard “Why didn’t you tell me?”