The Lie (Kings of Linwood Academy 2)

As I’m sliding the drawer back in, I hear a noise downstairs and glance up. Funny. I didn’t even hear Lincoln or River go down there.

It’s good that they’re up though. We can—

Before that thought fully renders in my mind, raised voices float through the open bedroom door.

“Dammit, Audrey, will you just stop?”

“You stop!”

My throat clamps shut, and for a second, my body freezes like it’s been suspended in time.

Fuck.

No.

Dax and Chase look at me, and then all three of us move at once, charging toward the door. We reach it at the same time and log-jam briefly before stumbling out into the hallway.

But we’re too late.

Mr. and Mrs. Black are already storming up the west-wing stairs. I can hear their heavy footfalls, and I know that as soon as they reach the top, they’ll be able to see us.

“Back! Back!” I hiss, turning around and shoving at the two boys behind me.

We scramble back into the room, and my heart beats a frantic rhythm inside my chest as Chase closes the door behind us.

But the pounding footsteps and angry voices don’t turn right at the top of the stairs, which would take them to the master bedroom. Instead, they turn left.

Toward us.

“Closet! Go! Go!”

We throw ourselves toward the open closet door, and a half second after Dax pulls it shut behind us, Audrey and Samuel Black burst into the guest room.

“Audrey! Audrey, for God’s sake, stop!”

“Get out!”

There’s the sound of a scuffle, and a heavy thud, as if she just tried to slam the door on him and he stopped it. Chase, Dax, and I are huddled in the nearly pitch-black closet, holding as still as we can. I’m sandwiched between the two of them, gripping their arms so tightly my fingers ache—and even though the space between their bodies normally seems like the safest place in the world, I don’t feel safe right now.

Not at all.

“God… dammit!”

There’s another loud thud as the bedroom door is shoved open so hard it slams against the wall.

“Get the fuck out!” Audrey shrieks.

“No. You’re the one who wanted to come back early. You’re the one who wanted to talk. So talk!”

“It’s too late, Samuel. I have nothing I want to say to you.”

Audrey’s voice lowers, becoming almost husky with rage. Usually, her tone is languid and a little airy, which only enhances the impression that she’s floating around in some drug-induced haze. But not this woman. This woman is stone cold sober. And she’s fucking pissed.

“Nothing to say, huh?” Mr. Black’s footfalls are heavy as he strides across the room. “Then what were you muttering about the whole time we were in Aspen? Jesus, Audrey, I’m so fucking tired of this bullshit. You’re checked out all the damn time—”

“I’m checked out? Who do you think made me check out, you fucking asshole?” She follows after him, her voice strained and taut.

Dax and Chase’s arms are like steel bands around me as we all hold our breath, listening. There’s a scuffling sound, and I almost jump out of my damn skin when something slams against the closet door. I have a feeling Samuel’s got Audrey pressed up against the solid wood, and a spike of fear floods my veins. He wouldn’t hurt his own wife, would he? He wouldn’t… kill her?