His gaze holds mine a moment, and then he nods, his grip now gentle and sliding to my cheek.

He smiles softly, and it’s almost terrifying how quickly his behavior shifts. “Your new driver is outside, ready to take you to class.”

I nod and squeeze my eyes closed when he kisses my cheek, walking out.

The second he’s gone, a loud cry slips from me, and my hand slams over my lips, but nothing else follows.

It’s just a sound.

I’m fine.

I suck in a shaky breath, spin, and walk out the door.

As I climb into the back seat of the town car, the driver pokes his head inside with a smile, and I recognize him by the mustache on his face. He’s the man who got in Arsen’s face at the club that night.

“Long time, no see.” He chuckles, holding out my phone.

I glare, subconsciously touching the side of my purse where I last knew it to be.

“He took it last night, just in case. I’m Mr. Banks to most people, but you can call me Charles.” He closes the door.

I power my phone on, and immediately, it begins to ding over and over again. I quickly turn off the sound and wait until all the missed messages finish coming through.

I hesitate over Ransom’s name, over Beretta’s and Arsen’s, and my heart weeps wildly, threatening to burst through my chest it pounds so vigorously.

I can see the first few words of the most recent messages and all have one word in common...

Please.

My grip tightens on my phone and I squeeze my eyes closed, but not a second passes before it begins to ring.

I jerk, a queasiness taking over my stomach as I fight looking at the screen. Instead, I go to power it off, but as I swipe the screen, I accidentally catch a glimpse of the name, finding it’s Cali’s.

With a low sigh, I answer, and the moment she speaks, I wish I wouldn’t have.

I wish I would have stayed in my prison a day longer.

No phone.

No outside world.

No one but me.

Because, as Cali cries into my ear, her words nearly incoherent, she’s so distraught, I’m reminded I’m not the only one whose reality can sometimes feel as if it’s too much to bear.

Devastatingly, Jules could no longer take hers.

Chapter 32

After getting approval from Anthony, Mr. Banks drove me to Jules’ house, where Cali and others have already begun to gather.

There are at least a dozen cars parked out front and the side gate is open, several students coming in and out.

I text Cali that I’m here, and within seconds, she’s charging out the front door, so I quickly climb out, just in time to catch her when she falls against me, her cries nearly doubling.