Free Wilder: The Guardian Series by G.K. DeRosa Page A

going to be fine,” he
whispered to her.
    Celeste could feel the edges of her vision blurring as she
struggled not to faint. Suddenly, Nico appeared running from the direction of
the gym.
    “Is she okay?” Nico asked, eyes wide with panic.
    “Why weren’t you watching her?” Roman growled. “If I hadn’t
been here…” and he broke off suddenly remembering Celeste’s presence.
    “Take her back into the gym little brother. I’ll take care of
Patrick,” Roman said, carefully placing Celeste into Nico’s arms.
    Celeste was in shock and hadn’t been able to bring herself to
speak yet, but as she looked up at Nico’s worried face, she finally asked,
“What just happened? We need to call the police! That guy just threw me in the
trunk of his car!” Her voice was shaking and she noticed she was trembling.
    “Don’t worry Celeste, Roman will take care of it,” he assured
her.
    Celeste convinced Nico that she was capable of walking and
felt better once she was on solid ground. She began peppering him with
questions: “Can you please tell me why in the world Patrick just tried to
abduct me? And I don’t want to hear some lame excuse like the one you gave me
the other day. And how does he know my father? And how does he know you two?
And why was Roman here anyway?”
    “Celeste, slow down. Can we go back into the gym please? It
may not be safe out here, and I’d feel much better if we were inside,” he said,
surveying the parking lot nervously. “And perhaps we shouldn’t tell anyone
about what happened just yet, we don’t want to cause a panic.”
    “Fine, but then you are answering all of my questions Nico.”
     
    As Celeste and Nico walked back into the dance, Natalie came
running toward them.
    “Where have you two been? I’ve been looking everywhere for
you! They’re about to announce the Senior Prom King and Queen.” Natalie, so
consumed with the news of the announcement, didn’t even notice Celeste’s disheveled
appearance.
    Nico gave Celeste an apologetic look and followed Natalie up
to the front of the dance floor where Brian was waiting with the gathering
students. As they weaved through the crowd, Celeste whispered to Nico, “You are
not getting away with this. As soon as they announce the winner, we are going
to talk about what just happened.”
     
    “And this year’s St. Alice’s Senior Prom King and Queen are…
Natalie Meadows and Brian Kennedy!” exclaimed the announcer. Natalie’s face lit
up, and she took Brian’s hand as they made their way to the stage.
    “Nico, you get over here and talk to me right now,” Celeste
said during the crowning ceremony.
    “Celeste, you don’t want to miss out on this very special
moment for your friends. Come on , get
your camera out ! Natalie is going to kill you if you don’t take some
good pictures,” he said, purposely avoiding her. The truth was that he had no
idea how he was going to explain this.
    “You are exasperating!” Celeste shook her head and took her
iPhone out so that she could capture the momentous occasion. Never mind the fact that I
almost got abducted by a stranger in the parking lot of my senior prom .
    As Celeste contemplated all the ways she was going to torture
Nico into explaining himself, Roman marched into the room. His usual cool
demeanor was gone. He looked like he had been in a fight - his shirt was
crumpled and his messy hair hung carelessly over his eyes.
    “It’s taken care of. Do you think you can handle getting her
home safely little brother?” he hissed at Nico.
    “Roman, you owe me an explanation,” Celeste interjected,
poking a finger into his firm chest.
    “A simple thank you for saving your life would have
sufficed,” said Roman, batting away her finger.
    “And now it’s time for the last dance,” the DJ announced.
    Nico looked at Roman and then at Celeste, both were fuming.
“I know what will make everyone feel better, a nice calming slow dance,” and he
pushed the two of them together