Page 40 of Brutal Prince

“I never said that. I said catching evidence on hidden cameras is illegal and likely thrown out of court. I’m just relaying what Mathias said to me and I haven’t told her about it. Anyway, last I heard orgies are legal if all parties are consented, so your argument is horseshit.”

He cracked his jaw. “Now they know we’re on to them. There goes the fucking plan out the window. And I never said I wanted the law involved. I wanted the footage to go viral, fucker.”

Cody stormed off huffing and puffing and I reached for my phone on my pocket.

Me: Up for some practice tonight?

I waited a few moments for an answer watching a couple of guys shooting hoop. It was stinking hot and their tee shirts were wet through with sweat and it’s supposed to be hotter tomorrow. I’ll shoot a few hoops and then swim a few lengths in the outside pool to cool off. I didn’t have any more classes today; although I had an assignment due tomorrow that I hadn’t started. Due to being a little dyslexic, Darryn usually me helps me out if I get stuck with something, but I haven’t seen him around for a while. Even at the Vault.

Me: Where are u at?

Gretta answered me first. Sorry, I’m busy tonight. Got stuff to do with Mom. How about tomorrow night? (:

Me: Tomorrow it is xx

Darryn: Home.

Me: Wait up. I’ll be there soon.

Darryn: Not the Vault. My actual home in Grand Rapids. Family shit to take care of.

“Looks like I’ll be alone tonight.”

TWENTY

Gretta

I was told to wait inside room 23.

The door was unlocked when I arrived and completely empty when I stepped inside. I’m not really sure what to expect, but I went in prepared for the worse. My hand ran over my phone in my back jean pocket. Help was only a phone call away. I’m a not an idiot. I’m fully aware that I’m no match against a psychopath. So, I’ve been filling them in every step of the way. And right now they’re the only ones who know the truth. Not even Ollie knew what they knew.

Again, that feeling of being watched consumed me and I’m dubious about messaging anyone. However, the vibration against my skin prompted me.

Are you in?

Me: Yes. He’s not here yet.

I sat on the edge of the bed with my phone on my hand, gazing out at the view of Kingston Valley, the place I’ve lived all my life. In fact I hadn’t even stepped foot out of this city for as long I can remember. There’s no chance of ever leaving with Mom relying my income and help so much. It was hardly the future I envisioned for my life.

A gentle tap on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and my temples began to pulsate nervously.

“Room service,” a man’s voice called out and I opened the door a crack to see if it was true. A tall slender man with a neatly trimmed beard and very large Adam’s apple was dressed in neat hotel uniform standing by a trolley of two silver serving plates.

“Um, I didn’t order anything.”

“Someone did,” he answered. “Perhaps it’s a gift.”

I stepped aside to let him wheel it in catching salty roast chicken on the back of my tongue. Before I got the chance to tip him, he was gone.

Even though I was too nervous to eat anything, I lifted one stainless steel plate cover to discover that my sense of smell was spot on. Roast chicken breast with gravy and vegetables. I covered the plate back over and lifted the second one out of curiosity assuming it was either a dessert of a meal for him.

I was wrong on both counts.

A single curl of dark blond hair rested on the plate. I held my finger over it to touch the small article only to pull away before I made contact. Keeping my cool, I placed the silver cover back down. If he was trying to get a rise of me it won’t work.

I sat back down on the edge of the bed and waited for him to grace my presence. Yet I knew he was already here. I could feel him. I could almost smell him. Sweat and raspberry licorice logs, that’s what he used to smell like. He ate so many of those logs he probably shat red. Back then. I’m sure his scent now is more sophisticated and…deadly.

My phone beeped again.

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