Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 125121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“What did you do?”
I broke from the flow of traffic and grabbed his hand. “Yell at me out of earshot.”
Wilder waited until we got as far as the front steps. “What did you do, Sinclair? You know I’m hacked into those bastards’ accounts. Levi, Owen, and Wesley sent messages to their parents that they need increased security because Luna Sinclair threatened them.”
“Wow. They ran to Mommy and Daddy? Bitch move.”
Wilder tugged me down the steps and under a tree. “What happened?”
There was no hiding it and I wasn’t going to anyway. I told him everything that went down that morning with those bastards.
Wilder goggled at me.
I goggled back. “Never seen you make that face before. I really have shocked you.”
“Let me get this straight,” he said slowly. “You told those three that you were behind all the attacks against them, that you framed Ashton Scott, and that you’d keep coming after them until they’re all dead unless one of them tells you who the Phantom is.”
“That sums it up, yes.”
“Why?” he gritted.
“I told you that we needed a new plan. I also told you that they were going to find out I’m coming after them anyway. The only way to get to the Phantom is through them. Why pretend like I can do any of this from the shadows anymore?”
A hard, piercing glint lit his eyes. “That’s not why you didn’t tell us.”
I tried to hold his gaze, and looked away. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry, Wilder, but if you knew, you would’ve stopped me.”
“Yeah, I would’ve stopped you.” Wilder looked around, then snaked an arm around my waist. He carried me off, waiting to speak when there weren’t people around us. “In general, it’s wise not to tell the people you’re going to kill, that you’re going to kill them.”
“I had to do something. Scare them into turning on the Phantom like with Giovanni.”
“But what happens if one of them does talk?” he asked. “I assume you’ve given up on the endgame, because if those guys end up dead after telling their parents you threatened them, you’re going down for it.”
My jaw clenched. “The endgame will never change. I don’t care if the Phantom paid them a trillion dollars. They claimed their fucking prize and drove my sister to kill herself. They gave her rapist an alibi! Their fate is sealed.”
He blew out a breath, dropping his head toward the sun. “Okay, okay. I know what you’re trying to do, Luna. Winter was your sister. Everything they’ve got coming to them they deserve but...” Wilder grasped my shoulder, turning me to face him. “You need to answer something for me right now.”
“What?”
“Do you want to see the other side of this... or is this your final task before you join Winter?”
I jerked back like he struck me. My eyes filled. “Why would you ask me something like that?”
“Because,” he said softly. Wilder moved up my arm, gently cupping my cheek. “I’ve been hacking emails for a long time. I’ve read a couple that forced me to anonymously contact the school counselor and tell them that person needed help. You’re being the reckless I’ve only seen when the person doesn’t think they have anything left to lose.
“I’ll go as far as you ask me to go, Luna. I’ll sit in that jail cell and not regret a damn thing. But I won’t help you self-destruct. I’ll never do that.”
Sighing, my eyes fluttered shut. I couldn’t resist leaning into his touch. “How could you think I want to leave you guys? You’re the ones who made me see there is another side to this, and I’ll be on it with you, toasting the end to the Royals and her killers.” I threaded my fingers through his. “This isn’t me being reckless, Wilder. Honestly, I’ve never felt more in control.
“While their tight little threesome is covering for each other and the Phantom, we’ll never get anywhere. I have to make them doubt each other because when they did, Ashton Scott died. One of them did it,” I said, “and the other two are looking at him close now, wondering what else he’s willing to do to protect himself from the next wave of attacks. Because they’re sure as fuck coming.”
Wilder studied me for a long time. “All right. I’ll spread suspicion in those ranks. Easily. But no more going off on your own. I know you took the blame for the paintballs, truth lists, and stealing the EpiPen to protect us, but I’m betting they didn’t buy it.”
“They didn’t,” I admitted.
“Levi is a violent piece of shit, but he’s not an idiot. By now, he’s figured out that we’re helping you. Rafael is the one who told him Ashton Scott was behind the truth lists. We’re in this together, Luna. I’ll back up your plan and I’ll make sure the guys do too, but no secrets. Promise me.”