I shake my head. “I’m good. This won’t take long.”
“I’m guessing this has something to do with Aspen?”
“You heard what happened?”
“I’m pretty sure everyone has by now.”
“Your father gets a vote. If all the founding members vote in Aspen’s favor, she won’t be punished.”
“I’m aware. My father told me.”
“Do you know what your father is planning on doing? Would he vote in Aspen’s favor?”
“That, I do not know. I think he wants to come and listen to the situation first. It seems that a lot was going on we don’t know about.”
“There is…” I shove my hands in my pockets, mulling over how much I should tell him. I don’t want to tell him too much, nor too little, if it means he would help.
“Look, I like Aspen.” I suppress a growl at Vito’s admission. “But she broke the rules. I don’t think my father will look past that unless she had a very good reason to do so.”
“She did, I can tell you that much. Nash deserved to die, and if Aspen hadn’t done it, I would have.”
“Like you killed the Valentines?” I’m not surprised that he figured it out. The real question is how much does he know?
“Like I would kill anyone who did to Aspen what they did.” It’s not a confession, but not quite a denial either.
“I can talk to my father. Make sure he knows Aspen is a good person, but…” Vito rubs his jaw like he is trying to come up with a good exchange. “I want something in return.”
“Of course, you do.”
“Just a favor. I don’t have anything I want yet, but I’m sure I could use a favor in the future.”
“As long as your father votes in our favor, I’ll do whatever it takes. A favor for a favor,” I repeat the deal out loud, holding out my hand. Vito grabs my hand, and we shake on it.
“You have my word.”
I’m not sure what his favor will be, but I know it will be worth it.
33
ASPEN
They didn’t design these cells for comfort.
I wrap my arms around myself thanks to the chill and grimace at my blood-stiff clothing. There was no time to change once Lucas announced I’d be locked up. Now my shirt is stiff with the evidence of what I did, but the alternative is taking it off, and it’s too cold to go topless.
I wonder if anyone would see the humor if I pointed out this is nicer than the room they gave me when I first got to Corium. A tiny bathroom is attached to the cramped cell with nothing but a metal toilet and sink, but they both work. A tiny cot on which I’m now sitting. No blankets, though. I didn’t have any in the beginning either, and I still survived.
I wonder what Quinton thinks of what I did. I’m sure he knows, the entire school knows, by now.
He did what he had to do. So did I. I hope he sees that.
Because he would be the only one to see my side, besides maybe Brittney. She must be worried. I wonder if they’d let her visit, but I doubt I’d be afforded that luxury. I’m a murderer. Not only that, but I’ve broken Corium’s golden rule by committing murder on school property.
I can hear footsteps outside the heavy metal door before the lock disengages. It’s Lucas, and his arms are full. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Don’t be too relieved.” Yet when he looks over his shoulder beyond the cell and makes sure we’re alone, his expression softens. “Here. I would never hear the end of it if I didn’t bring you these.” He leaves them on the bed, and I examine what he’s brought. Blankets, a change of clothes, protein bars, and bottled water.
And one more thing, tucked between layers of blanket. My phone.
“I don’t think I need to tell you it’s highly unusual, making sure the prisoner is more comfortable.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Do me a favor?” He points at the phone. “Use that. Otherwise, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep Quinton away.”
“So he knows?”
“Aspen, at the current moment, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know.” I wonder what he’s thinking as his eyes sweep the room. Probably wishing he hadn’t warmed up to me. All I’ve done is complicate everything. “I suppose that’s all.”
“Really, thank you for this.” He’s almost out in the hall before I think of something else. “Please, can you tell Brittney not to worry about me? Tell her I was thinking of her and want her to know I’m okay. I’m not afraid.”
“You aren’t?” He looks back at me. I can’t read his expression.
“I’m not. Will you tell her?”
“I will.” I don’t know if he’s regretful or not, but he doesn’t look pleased to close the door and leave me alone again.