Cruel Prince(Royal Hearts Academy #1) - A. Jade Page 0,83
to talk to me, I don’t want to talk to him. Two can play at this game.
Oakley pouts. “Why won’t you tell me?”
I wish he would stop drilling me. “Because it’s not a big deal.”
His mouth drops open. “Someone left you for dead and it’s not a big deal?”
“No one left me for dead, Oak.” I cross my arms. “Quit being such a drama queen.”
Cole laughs. “She—”
The sound of my phone ringing cuts him off.
I see Sawyer’s name flash across the screen and I press the green button. “H—”
Oakley swipes my phone and brings it to his ear.
I try to snatch it from him, but he motions for Cole to restrain me.
The jerk slides across the seat and sits on my lap.
“Hey, Sawyer. This is Oakley, Dylan’s cousin. Look, something very bad happened to her tonight and I need you to tell me everything you know. Starting with who she was with.”
He’s got to be kidding me. “Don’t tell him anything, Sawyer. I’m fine,” I yell.
“No, that’s not her,” Oakley says. “That’s my stepmom. Not only do they look alike, they sound alike too. Crazy, right? Anyway, I’m gonna need a name.”
“Stop talking, Sawyer,” I shout into Cole’s back. “Hang up the damn phone.”
“Romantic date?” he hums and I mutter a curse.
“Huh, that’s funny.” He looks at me. “I don’t find being stranded by yourself in the middle of the night very romantic, do you?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jace tense up.
Hypocrite much? Although Jace left me his car when he bounced, so it’s not exactly the same thing. Still fucked up, though.
“What?” I hear Sawyer screech over the line. “Oh my God. Is she okay? What the hell is wrong with Tommy?”
Crap. I pinch Cole’s ribs until he yelps and gets off me.
“Tommy. Got it. Peace, baby girl,” Oakley says before he hangs up and glares daggers at me. “Did he rape you? I swear I’ll—”
The car swerves and multiple people on the freeway honk their horns.
“I’m fine, Oakley. He didn’t...I’m okay.”
I’ll fill him in later when he’s calmer and Jace isn’t around.
My cousin points to his face. “Look me in the eyes and tell me he didn’t hurt you.”
Jace’s hand flexes around the steering wheel.
“If by hurt you mean he kicked me out of his car, then yeah. I guess technically he hurt me, but I promise I’m fine.”
Oakley still doesn’t look satisfied after that, but at least he drops it for the rest of the ride home.
I scramble out of the car after Jace pulls up our driveway, but fingers wrap around my wrist.
For a second, I think it’s Oakley, but he’s already halfway to the front door.
Spinning around, I peer up at Jace’s stern, but gorgeous face. “Thanks for the ride.”
Gently, he tips my chin. I feel his gaze roam over every part of my face and body, but for once, it’s not in a sexual way.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Tommy and I…we’re over.”
He remains silent as he finishes his careful appraisal of me.
When he’s satisfied, he gets back into his car and drives off.
Leaving me without so much as a single word.
Like he always does.
Chapter 32
Jace
His orange Subaru sticks out like a sore thumb among the other cars in the parking garage.
After checking the time on my dash, I pull my ski mask down and grab my bat.
Given Tommy lives in a low-budget complex, the one and only security camera was a breeze to dismantle.
Doesn’t mean someone won’t roll up on me, though, so I have to make this shit quick.
I go for the hatchback window first before moving on to the windshield and the side windows.
But I’m not finished yet.
After pulling the lever for the gas cap, I reach into the pocket of my hoodie and take out the liter bottle of water and empty it into the tank.
Then I unzip my pants and piss in it.
Now you’re stranded too, motherfucker.
Chapter 33
Dylan
My aunt whistles as she walks into my bedroom. “Wow, you look…”
I put the finishing touches on my makeup and turn around. “That bad?”
“No…just different. Older.”
I smirk. “I mean, it is my birthday.”
She looks me up and down, taking in my blown-out hair, smokey-eye makeup, and the bodycon slip dress I purchased with one of the gift cards she got me. It’s red, super short, and the ruched fabric makes me look like I have some dangerous curves going on.
“You look gorgeous, Dylan.” She stands behind me in the mirror. “I just hope you’re doing this for the