Empire High Betrayal (Empire High #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,50
“Isabella, you have five seconds to get your hands the fuck off of me.”
“Or what? I thought you loved when I touched you.” She trailed her fingers down his bicep.
I was going to be sick.
Matt caught her hand and pushed it off. “You’re insane. If you haven’t heard the rumors, which I’m sure you have, I’m with Brooklyn. You’re done controlling my life. And contrary to whatever lies you want to tell, you and I were never a thing, Wizzy.”
“Oh snap,” Kennedy said.
Isabella laughed. “Yes, I’ve heard the rumors. You know Brooklyn slept with James, right? And then he even proposed.” She tilted her head to the side. “Wow, she has a ring and everything. She must be so excited to be Mrs. James Hunter one day.” She glared at me.
Matt stood up. “Let’s make one thing very clear. You’re not allowed to talk to my girl. Ever again. I won’t allow it, and it’s against your dad’s rules too. Brooklyn, text your security.”
“I’m not talking to her,” Isabella said. “I’m talking to you, Matthew. I haven’t broken any of Daddy’s rules. I’m absolutely certain of it. Talking to you isn’t talking to the trash. Oh, but I’m also talking to the trash’s friend.” She turned her attention to Kennedy. “Hey, girl. I heard you slept well this weekend.” She laughed.
“Since when has drugging people been funny?” Matt said. “Wait. Don’t answer that. Just…don’t talk to Kennedy either. Did you really not get the hint when we ditched our usual table? We’re done. With you. And the Hunters. And anyone else who messes with our family.”
“Your family?” Isabella scoffed. “That trash goblin isn’t your family. You’re a Caldwell for goodness sake.”
“You should watch your tongue,” Mason said. He tilted his neck to the side, cracking it. “From here on out, Brooklyn is untouchable. She has your dad’s security now. And she has us. So you better run along back to your minions and go mess with someone else.”
Matt and Mason both had my back. And they were right. I had the safety promised to the Pruitts and the Caldwells. I was the untouchable one. And Isabella was just…a demon person.
I wanted to tell her that. I wanted to say something. Anything. But it was like my lips were frozen shut. Shh. Or else.
“Wanna bet?” Isabella said. “Because I have a feeling that she won’t be with us for much longer. The poor girl literally had a target on her forehead when she walked into the cafeteria. I think her time is running out. Or maybe someone else’s is.”
God. What the hell did she mean by that? I knew she was planning on cutting my head off. I got the message loud and clear. But someone else’s too?
Isabella looked down at her watch like something terrible was about to happen any second.
I was definitely going to be sick.
There was static on the speaker system and all of us looked up.
“Brooklyn Sanders, please come to the principal’s office immediately.”
The words made my heart race. The last time I’d been called to the principal’s office…
“Hmm,” Isabella said. “Looks like someone else from her family just died. Pity. I wonder who it was this time. Hopefully no one too important.” She turned on her heels and walked away.
What? It felt like my heart was beating in my throat. Kennedy was here. And they would have called for her if something had happened to her mom. Matt and Mason were here. But she’d been talking about my bloodline. The only other family I had was…was Isabella’s family. Dad.
She wouldn’t have.
She couldn’t have.
What the hell did she do?
“I repeat, Brooklyn Sanders to the principal’s office.”
I stood up, almost falling into Matt. He tried to steady me, but I pulled away.
She wouldn’t have.
She couldn’t have.
“Brooklyn, it’s probably nothing bad,” Matt said. “She was just messing with you.”
But I was already running.
Chapter 17
Tuesday
Isabella wouldn’t have hurt her own father. That was insane. But she’s insane. I heard Isabella’s laughter echoing around in my head. I picked up my pace, ignoring my feet burning. Please be alive. Please.
Matt caught up to me in the hall, grabbing me by the waist. “Hold on a second, Brooklyn.”
“I can’t.” My tears burned the corners of my eyes.
“You’re okay.” He held me so tightly that it almost hurt. Normally it would have been comforting. His strong arms were like a safe haven for me. But right now, I couldn’t breathe. I squirmed in his grip. I was running out of time.