Page 53 of Brutal Prince

Briar

AP Psychology.

I stare at the textbook in my hands, and then toss it back into my locker. I slam the door, making the kid next to me jump nearly a foot off the ground, and then I’m striding to the exit.

No way I can deal with Mr. Veroza’s old-man stink right now.

Or Indigo’s reproachful gaze.

That little cunt ruined my fucking day.

Again.

That soppy shit that happened out there by the fence shouldn’t have happened at all. But I lost control for a moment. Forgot my purpose, my plans for Indi. The ‘Kiss Me’ prank was supposed to be a fucking hoot, but instead it made my fucking blood boil every time another kid helped themselves to Indi.

Her mouth? It’s mine.

Her lips? Mine.

Indigo? I own every inch of her.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

* * *

Indi

Addison pullsme into the restroom, and slams the door closed behind us. Everyone should be in class, so I doubt we’ll be bothered, but she obviously needs to ensure we can’t be overheard.

“You gonna tell me what’s going on?” I ask quietly.

She drags a hand through her sleek blond hair, mouth twisting and squirming as if she wants to spit.

“He killed her,” Addy murmurs.

My blood runs cold. “Jessica?”

Addy spins to me, eyes wide, and gives me a silent nod.

I shake my head, frowning hard at her. Despite my flurry of thoughts, I’m suddenly filled with doubt. I mean, how could anyone — even Prince Briar — get away with cold-blooded murder? “You said she committed suicide.”

“That’s how he made it look,” she says. She tosses her hair over her shoulder and gives herself a hard hug. “But Jess would never…I know her. She would never do that.” Addy’s lips tremble and she shoves a knuckle into her mouth. “He pushed her. He must have.” Addy turns around, still chewing at her finger.

“When did all of this happen?” It could explain the way the students acted around Briar. I’d have imagined the girls around here throwing themselves at him. Instead everyone gives him a wide berth.

I’d thought it was respect…But now I’m starting to think it’s fear.

“Ten months ago.”

“And the police?”

Addy rips her hand away from her mouth and lets out a bitter chuckle. “Yeah, Indi, the police did a real good job of locking him up.”

“I mean,” I say quietly, trying my best to keep my cool, “did they know about the party? Did you—?”

“Of course I told them,” Addy says, frowning at me like she thinks I hit my head. “But they never found anything. There were no witnesses that night. The last people to leave saw Jess having a fucking blast with Briar and Marcus.”

I sigh as I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know what to say, Addy.”

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