The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,79
frittata as the rest of us.
“Why the hell is Ives looking at you like that?” Hiro snapped. “Is he trying to start something?”
I hid a smile at his protectiveness. His mouth said he didn’t want to be with me but every other part of him said differently. “No, he’s angry because I finished something. Forget about him. He’s not important anymore.”
I twisted and kissed Royal’s cheek. “I’m going back to my room. See you guys in homeroom.” I shared a private smile with Cassius and Clay.
“Hey,” Royal said. “I put it in your locker. And don’t say you’ll pay me back. That piece of shit will when we find him.”
I kissed him again—slow and savoring. “Thank you.”
“There’s another party on Christmas Eve. The Raveners just can’t help themselves. We’ll take care of business then.”
“Okay.”
Royal’s timing was scarily good. The blackmailer was on my mind and the reason I dragged myself from my breakfast early. I told Nolan I couldn’t do anything about the attack and the ransom. But I did not believe that. I couldn’t.
There was a way to track them down. I had to find it.
The list of victims was in my nightstand drawer. I got it out, rested it on one knee and propped my laptop with the other. Eli said his attackers were boys that were both taller and heavier than him. That was something. Actually, it was more than something. Families with daughters or no children were eliminated. Short boys I could ignore. Somewhere in this list were the guys who hurt Eli and forced me to steal to meet their demands. They were begging to be found. I would oblige.
THE REST OF THE SCHOOL week passed in a blur of homework, lectures, two exams, and uncomfortable looks from the boys I stared down in the halls, mentally comparing them to the information Eli gave me.
Saturday morning, I said bye to Eli outside the gate. Royal leaned on the hood of his car waiting for me.
“I want a new bookcase,” he signed. “A tablet too.”
“I love you, dear sister. Drive safely,” I corrected. “That’s what you meant to say, right?”
No one rolled their eyes at me more than this kid. “Yes, that too. I also want sneakers. My pair has a hole in them and Aunt Violet bought me nothing but leather dress shoes.”
“I’ll see what I can do. By the way, how long is your gift list for me?”
He grinned. “Look at that. Royal wants you. Better get going.”
The stoic boy hadn’t twitched or moved a face muscle.
“See you. Text me when you get to the lake house.”
I waved goodbye.
Royal beeped his car open for me. We slid in and made our escape, turning onto the road that led us into town.
“Where to first?” Royal asked.
“Christmas shopping first. Might as well get Eli’s presents and my gifts for you guys while we’re off campus.”
“You don’t have to get me a gift,” Royal said.
“Are you saying that because you think you don’t have to get me something? Let me tell you right now that’s not going to work. I have high expectations for this Christmas, Royal Cruz. If you don’t deliver, there will be serious consequences.”
“Oh, really?” It was an interesting part of our relationship that Royal liked it when I threatened him. “What are you going to do?”
I flicked his chin. “Don’t find out.”
“About the list.” He suddenly grew serious. “You’ve checked out every guy in the school by now. What do you got?”
“I’m glad you asked.” I retrieved the well-worn, scribbled-on list from my backpack. “I’m assuming some things,” I admitted. “Like that they’re not Raveners and they’re directly related to the people on this list. Another grandson with a different last name and I’m screwed.”
“True.”
I sucked in a breath. “Okay, here’s what I got. Kyle Casen, Luis Riviera, Adrien Miller, Harley Donovan, Craig Howell, Royce Lamb, Yuki Watanabe, Ken Han, Amir Blake, and Jasper Crown,” I said. “Ten guys in this school whose families lost a lot of money. A few of them have told me to my face how they feel about me, so I’m thinking I’m on the right track.”
“How do you want to handle it?”
“Direct approach. Get up in their faces and say that I know it’s them and I’m going to the police. The ones who crack are the guys.”
“These guys have proven they don’t have a problem beating on someone smaller than them. You don’t think you’re getting in their faces alone, do you?”
“Nope,” I said easily. “You