The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,31

last person I expected to see.

Pomona stood over him, arms crossed, and body angled away so we couldn’t see her expression. She pointed over her shoulder—couldn’t be certain at what—and then shook her head. Gabriel leaned forward, eyes, posture, and frown pleading insistence. She handed him something, turned her back, and walked away.

Pomona brushed past me. “Bitch.”

“Fuck you.”

Good to see some things never changed.

“What was that about?” Brandon asked as we dropped our trays and joined him.

“Nothing.” Gabriel shoved his hand in his pocket. “Mona was driving the point home that I’m out. Mrs. Bancroft and the society mothers are throwing a Thanksgiving party for us when we all come home. I’m not allowed to show up.”

“It turns my stomach that they’re mad at you and not Leo,” I spat. “What more does Leo have to do? Who else does he have to hurt before they see him for what he is?”

“They don’t believe he hurt anyone, Ember. They won’t take your word over his.” Gabriel dropped his head. “Can we change the subject?”

Gabriel was a handsome guy, even cloaked in misery. His coarse brown hair was shaved on the sides and the tips of his ears pointed to an almost elven effect. Those were his unique features. Every other bit of him was classic good looks from the charming smile on his full lips, the strong jaw, and up to those light brown eyes.

It might have been a consequence of growing up in the Estate that he didn’t realize the world was much bigger than the Raveners and what they thought of him. Once he set out of this town, he’d find the world opens up for smart, handsome rich boys who respect women.

“Good idea,” said Brandon. “Camila’s coming and she looks upset.”

I followed his line of sight to the triplet ascending the stairs. From across the space I saw her splotchy cheeks and red eyes. Cassius and Clay came behind her.

A low whistle sounded to my right. “Damn,” said Brandon. “What happened to them?”

Camila sat down across from me. “Hi, guys.” She was the picture of anguish, and I couldn’t blame her. I didn’t fare much better when I came face to face with what those guys did to them.

Gabriel’s and Brandon’s questioning of if she was okay faded in the background. Now they were in my orbit, I could look nowhere else but at Cassius and Clay. Broken and bandaged from head to toe, it didn’t hinder their status as the most gorgeous men in the room.

With the biggest hearts. They took that beating for me, and I know they stay in the gang to get Camila out of Raven River and away from this life.

Clay caught my eye and sent me a smile that made my stomach bubble and my core clench at the same time—for his smiles were always tinged with naughty.

He glanced down at his lap. Seconds later, my phone buzzed.

Clay: What are you doing tonight?

Me: Spending time with you.

Clay: Correct answer. I’ve got my and other people’s homework to finish, but I’ll be done by nine. Too late?

My grin split my cheeks so wide it hurt.

Me: Not too late. Nine is perfect.

Clay: Good. Wear something warm.

“Let’s talk happy things,” I spoke up, putting away my phone. “Like getting far away from this town. Where are you guys going to university?”

“I got accepted to Dartmouth early admission,” said Gabriel. He scraped the strawberries off his pancakes onto a separate plate and passed it to Camila without her asking. Apparently, he noticed she often helped herself to more fruit.

Further proof the Raveners can act like decent human beings when they’re removed from the cult and deprogrammed.

“I want to be somewhere warm,” Camila said. “I applied to a bunch of schools in the South. The University of Florida is my top choice.”

“Going the opposite direction,” Brandon said. “New York. I’m biting my nails waiting to hear from Columbia and NYU. What about you, B?”

I shook my head. “I applied to a bunch of places last year but things are different now. I’m not leaving Eli here on his own. After he graduates, I’m looking at schools in the cities. I’m over this small-town life.”

“Hit me up in New York when that happens, B,” said Brandon. “We can share a...” Brandon trailed off. His face went slack. “You can’t be serious.”

Brandon was looking at something over Gabriel’s and Camila’s heads, and when I saw what, my good mood deflated like a wheezing, screaming balloon. A roaring deafened