ASHLEY’S POV
I felt my stomach drop the second Kathy’s eyes locked with mine from across the restaurant. She was leaning casually against a bar-height table with a drink in her hand, like she belonged there, like she hadn’t been suspended for literally poisoning me. Her lips curved into a slow, wicked grin before she turned and whispered something to the girl sitting beside her.
Chloe.
I recognized her immediately. One of her shadows. But even Chloe glanced uneasily at Kathy, mumbled something, and then stood up abruptly, leaving the table as if she couldn’t get away fast enough.
The sight made a cold wave of panic trickle down my spine.
I tried to breathe normally. I tried to swallow the sudden fear, the anger, the disbelief—but my body reacted faster than my thoughts. My breath hitc
