Free Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland Page A

fun.
    Now I can’t even remember their names.
    We have the guilty to destroy .
    I rub my forehead at Their interruption. I’ve been doing well the last couple of days, no commentary from the peanut gallery. I can’t believe They’re back already. I was actually starting to enjoy the silence.
    Niko watches me, as though he can hear my mental argument. His open appraisal reminds me of Dr. Goodhart, and a small spike of fear shoots through me. I shush Them. “Okay, sure.”
    Tom and Jocelyn walk up, holding hands. They date “off and on,” and according to Mindi they’re currently in one of their “on” phases. I like Tom. He’s one of the few guys They’re quiet around, so I figure he’s really as nice as he seems.
    After a quick conversation and another set of concerned looks in Mindi’s direction, Tom and Jocelyn decide to come with us as well.
    We walk out of the school and figure out rides. Like me, Niko and Jocelyn have their own cars. Mindi quickly volunteers to ride with Niko, and Tom says he’ll ride with Jocelyn.
    “I’ll ride with you, Cory,” Adam volunteers. “You know, so you don’t get lonely.” He gives me one of his puppy smiles, and all I want to do is pat him on the head.
    Amber snorts. “It’s less than a mile. Like she’s really going to get lonely in that distance.”
    I grin at Adam as his ears redden. “I might get lost, though. I have a terrible sense of direction. It’s a good thing I’m great at U-turns. Otherwise I’d be in Antarctica by now.”
    Adam laughs even though the joke’s lame. Amber rolls her eyes. “Antarctica? I wish,” she mutters, and I watch her follow Niko and Mindi to Niko’s Jeep.
    I’m not entirely in love with her attitude, and sooner or later I’ll do something about it. But not today. Today I just want to have fun.
    Adam and I climb into my car and head over to the pizza shop. He gives me directions, even though it’s just a right turn out of the school parking lot and down the road. When we arrive, cars choke the unlined gravel parking lot. I find a small space between two trucks and pull in. There is barely enough room to open our doors, and it’s the only space left. Apparently West County High takes pizza very seriously.
    Inside, Niko, Mindi, Jocelyn, Tom, and Amber are already at a table, but there’s only one extra chair. For a second I think Amber planned it that way, but then I see that there isn’t an empty table in the entire place. They were probably lucky to grab the table they did.
    Adam looks at the single chair forlornly. I put a comforting hand on his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll go find a chair. Go ahead and sit down.” He opens his mouth to protest and then closes it. When I turn toward the back of the restaurant, I understand why. The only empty chairs are at a table occupied by several large and intimidating guys. I walk over, adding a little extra swing to my hips. I place my hand on the back of an empty chair and clear my throat. “Excuse me. Can I borrow this?”
    All conversation at the table stops, and five sets of eyes turn to me. The nearest guy looks me up and down before shooting me a grin. He’s cute, in an arrogant-jock sort of way. Dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin. There’s something about him I don’t like, though. “Why don’t you just ditch the losers and sit down with us? I’m sure we could entertain you.” He says the last part in a tone of voice that earns him a chorus of knowing chuckles and high fives.
    Ah, that’s what it is. He’s setting off my internal douche bag alarm.
    My face heats, but I manage to keep the smile frozen on my face. Like a dork I stick out my hand to shake. “I’m sorry. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Corinne Graff.”
    He grabs me by the wrist and pulls me forward, turning me around at the last second so that I’m sitting on his lap. Every muscle in my body stiffens. Dear God, he’s touching me.
    “Dylan. Dylan Larchmont,” he whispers into my ear. I try to