32. Roman

32

ROMAN

" T his makes no fucking sense." I clenched and unclenched my fist, my other hand clasping my phone so tightly I could feel the metal straining beneath my grip. "Who would replace Quinn with Penelope? Yeah, she's the head girl, but it's just a fucking ball. Why would the teachers interfere with the voting?"

Caiden cleared his throat. "That's where it gets interesting. When I spoke to West after I'd spoken to you earlier, he set up a scan of the computers, and his system flagged activity on one of the computers. West was watching the votes changing in real time. All he could see was the computer they were being changed from."

"How does that help us?"

"I'm getting to that. He hacked into the security feeds—by the way, he says your school security systems are shit—and although there aren't many cameras inside the building, he collated the footage from around that time. We don't know where the admin computers are based, but you do, and if you tell me, we should be able to work out which CCTV footage to focus on."

"Okay. Yeah. Makes sense." I rubbed my hand across my jaw. Whoever was behind this, they'd made a big fucking mistake by targeting Quinn.

"I'm gonna…hold on. Switch to video." I did as instructed, turning on my camera, and caught sight of Caiden's face for a second before his camera switched to show several computer screens, with Weston tapping away on a keyboard.

He held the phone in front of one of the screens, which held a still from a CCTV feed—I recognised it as the visitors' entrance to Hatherley Hall. "West's gonna flip through these stills. Say ‘stop' when you recognise the location of the admin computers."

"Okay."The image changed, showing the main hall. Then, the entrance to the student computer lab. Then, the doorway to the science labs. Then— "There. The admin office is inside that door."

"Got it," West said, and the image disappeared, quickly replaced by an active video feed. West did something on the keyboard, and the timestamp changed. "This is fifteen minutes before the votes were changed. Be on the lookout for any activity." The timestamp began changing again. One minute passed. Then two. Then three— "There!"

The image froze, and I stared through my phone camera at the instantly recognisable figure dressed in a gold ball gown. "That's the head girl. She wouldn't— She's Quinn's friend. She never gets into trouble, not for anything."

West nodded. "I'll keep going." The timestamp began changing again, but when we'd reached the fifteen-minute mark and no one else had appeared, I had to face the truth.

"Want me to keep going? I'll go until just after the votes were changed, see if she comes back out." West tapped at the keyboard again. The three of us saw Penelope exit the room and disappear from the feed.

"Well, fuck," Caiden said. "The head girl…"

"Yeah, the fucking head girl." Rage cut through my shock. "Thanks for the info. I—fuck, I don't know how I can repay you. I'll catch you up with everything later, yeah?" Ending the call, knowing they'd understand, I shoved my phone in my pocket and took off for the hall at a run.

When I rounded the corner, though, I saw a flash of gold slipping around another corner, away from the ball. Slowing my pace, I followed Penelope at a distance, keeping as quiet as possible on the stone floors. Penelope's heels made a clicking sound that echoed off the walls, so it was easy enough to keep track of her movements, especially when we left the sound of the ball behind.

As I walked, I sent a text to Tristan, outlining all my suspicions, and attached copies of the information my cousin had sent me. Out of everyone, he'd be the most likely to check his phone, what with his love of selfies. That done, I placed my phone back in my pocket and continued tracking Penelope, doing my best to avoid the students I passed.

When I judged we were finally alone, I made my move, acting on instinct and hoping it would be enough. I switched my phone to my jacket pocket and set it to recording mode, so all I'd need to do was tap the button to start recording. Then, I called her name.

"Pen."

She spun around, shock flashing in her gaze before she forced herself to laugh. "Roman. What are you doing here?"

I gave her a lazy smile. "Taking a walk. I needed a break. You?"

Her gaze darted around us as she nodded. "The same, I suppose."

"Walk with me? A god and a goddess, together."

"Okay."

I held out my arm, thinking only of Quinn as she took my elbow. I would not let my mask crack. I would not fuck up what might be my only chance to get answers. "This is nice."

Penelope's gaze flew to mine, her eyes narrowing. "It is? What about Quinn? She wouldn't like you to do this, would she?"

I laughed. "Quinn? Whatever rumours you've heard, they're not true. You know me. I wouldn't let myself get tied down to a girl." My mouth curved into a suggestive smile. "Not unless the right one came along."

Her brows pulled together. "Tonight…I saw you looking at her…"

Fuck. I was going to have to step up my game.

Making a big show of looking around us, I lowered my voice. "What you saw was me looking at her with hate. She did something completely fuc—completely unforgivable." Now I knew Penelope was at least behind the ball votes, and probably the rest of it, it was easy to see the gleam of joy in her eyes as she took in my words. How the fuck could I have been so blind? Okay, yeah, there had never been any reason to suspect her of anything, and even now, I couldn't understand it, but her reactions to my words were obvious, written all over her face.

"Oh, Roman." Her grip on my arm tightened as she leaned into me. It took everything I had to remain in place rather than recoil from her touch. "What happened?"

"We need to go somewhere private for this conversation. I don't want anyone else to hear," I said. I needed to get her to let her guard down, to trust me.

Tapping her bottom lip, she thought for a moment, and then her face brightened as she caught sight of the door up ahead. "The library? I'm allowed in there at any time. Head girl privileges. Just don't tell anyone I let you in."

"Your secret's safe with me." I surreptitiously hit the Record button as I entered next to her. Flipping a couple of switches that caused a few dim wall lights to turn on, she led me through the main foyer, into the stacks, and eventually came to a stop next to one of the alcove study tables. She released my arm, turning to face me as I leaned back against the edge of the table, affecting a casual pose.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Yeah," I said, seething beneath my skin. "I could do with speaking to someone who might understand. Please don't tell anyone, though."

"Of course not." She came and stood right in front of me, the fabric of her dress brushing my suit trousers. Too. Fucking. Close.

"Quinn's extra-credit paper, uh, was plagiarised. I can't believe anyone would stoop so low, and I know how that sounds coming from someone with my reputation."

"Oh." Penelope's mouth turned down. "The history paper? I can't believe she would cheat just to win. That's awful." Her hand landed on my arm, and I couldn't stop my body jerking at her touch.It was obvious now. I'd had my suspicions after everything Caiden had told me, but seeing her here and now, I knew . The fucking fake sympathy on her face had rage building inside me all over again. How could she stand there and lie to my face? "I see now why you were looking at her like that. I…it's not my place to say anything, but, Roman, you're better off without her. She's my friend, but she doesn't deserve to be with one of the gods."

"Yeah."

"She isn't even one of the goddesses." Penelope's hand went to her laurel wreath. "But you have other options." Her arm slid up my arm to my shoulder, and she leaned in. "I'm the one wearing a crown."

Fuck. This. I lifted my hand, ready to push her away, and then?—

"Penelope!"

The cracked, teary shout from behind Penelope had the very welcome effect of making her jump and move away from me. I stared in horror as Quinn came into view, her face streaked with tears, her arms wrapped around her shaking body. What the fuck? I took a step towards her, but she stopped me in my tracks with a savage glare.

"Quinn. I'm a little busy with Roman at the moment," Penelope said.

"Please. It's important." She sniffed, and I wanted to commit murder all over again.

"Fine. Roman, can you wait outside for me, please?" Penelope batted her lashes at me, and all I could manage was a curt nod.

As I passed Quinn, her glare intensified. "I hate you," she spat. "You didn't believe that I hadn't plagiarised my essay, and now I see you cosying up with Penelope? I knew you had a thing for her, even though you tried to deny it."

What? My heart fucking stopped. "Quinn?—"

" Get out of my sight. " Her expression was so fierce, so harsh, that I stumbled backwards, rubbing at my chest. My vision was getting weirdly cloudy, like there was water in my eyes. Oh. Water.

Fucking hell.

I spun on my heel and dived into the stacks, my momentum abruptly halted by an arm yanking me backwards, a palm slamming down over my mouth.

"Shhh," Knox's voice sounded low in my ear. "Don't lose your head. We've got it all in hand." He released his grip on me, and I let my body relax against the bookshelves. When I met his gaze, he mouthed, Phone. Record , with a subtle nod towards where I'd left Quinn and Penelope.

My heart rate slowed, seeing the conviction on his face. He had a plan. Following his instructions, I took out my phone, exited out of the voice recording app, and switched to my camera. Carefully pushing aside a couple of books, I inserted my phone into the newly created gap, pointing at Quinn and Penelope. I zoomed in on their faces and hit Record.