Chapter 41: The Devil You Know
Marc wasn't done.
That much became obvious the second Penelope stepped out of the diner with Callie and heard the hum of a motorcycle engine purring behind them like a jungle cat waiting to pounce.
"Going somewhere, sweetheart?" Marc called out, pulling up beside them on a matte black Ducati. Sunglasses. Leather jacket. And that infuriating grin.
Callie sighed. "Is he auditioning for a perfume commercial or just being dramatic?"
"Both," Penelope muttered, quickening her pace. "Marc, go home."
He revved the engine. "Can't. I transferred here."
She stopped walking.
"Excuse me?"
Marc swung one leg off the bike and removed his sunglasses with all the flair of a villain about to reveal his master plan. "You heard me. I'm officially a student at Ravenhill."
Callie gasped. "You joined our school? Why?"
"Because Scott needs a reminder that he doesn't own everything—including second chances," Marc said, eyes locked on Penelope.
Penelope looked like she'd swallowed a wasp. "You think this—this chaos is a second chance?"
Marc's expression softened for the first time. "No. I think you are."
Callie took a dainty step back. "Oop, this is above my friendship paygrade. I'll see you at chem."
Marc waited until she was out of earshot. "You don't have to trust me, Pen. But maybe… don't trust him, either. Scott's not who you think he is."
Penelope frowned. "And you are? You show up, drop drama, start fights, and now you're tailing me like a Netflix stalker docuseries."
Marc tilted his head. "Only because you're interesting. And because I'm bored. But mostly the first one."
She walked away. He followed.
---
By the time they reached the school courtyard, news had already spread: Marc Wilder, infamous bad boy and Scott's estranged cousin, was now enrolled. The girls whispered. The guys glared. Teachers pretended not to panic.
And standing in the middle of it all, like a storm waiting to strike, was Veronica.
Penelope blinked. She hadn't seen Veronica since that awkward