Chapter 76.

Jayden's POV.

When Allison left the crowd after Cyrus left, something in me loosened. It was a stupid, light feeling — like butterflies that don’t know whether to stay or fly. For a moment I thought the plan had worked. I let myself taste that small victory: her shoulders tight, her voice small. I liked seeing her unsettled. I liked the idea that she might doubt herself for even one minute.

Then I saw Slade.

He wasn’t loud about it. He didn’t rage or shout. It was ...