Page 97 of Brutal Prince

Closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Then he stops. There’s a soft sound, like he’s scraping dirt off the floor with his shoe.

“Hey!”

I almost wet myself. I squeeze shut my eyes and try desperately not to have a heart attack.

“What are you doing here?” Briar’s voice echoes through what’s left of the church. Too loud, too cheery.

“What, now I can’t come here anymore?” Marcus says grimly. “This place out of bounds or something?”

“Course not.” Briar sounds either flustered or out of breath. “Just didn’t know you still came here.”

“Hardly ever.”

Briar’s footsteps stop. “What’s up? Your dad come back again?”

“Was out for a run.”

“What, in your school clothes?”

Marcus makes an angry sound. “Christ, I’m sorry I dared set foot in your fucking church, asshole.”

I can’t help myself — now I have to look. Moving as carefully as I can, I peek out behind the bush again. There’s almost no daylight left, so both guys are just silhouettes. Marcus has his arms crossed, and Briar’s are on his hips. “What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

Marcus puts out his hands like Briar’s about to storm him. “Nothing, man. Just…I was just thinking about stuff.”

“Sorry to interrupt. But I’m kinda glad you’re here.”

“Yeah? Why?”

Briar moves back and leans against the pulpit. “Was there anyone with us that night, when we took Jessica upstairs?”

Every single hair on my body stands on end. I stop breathing in shock, leaning forward as I strain to hear Marcus’s response.

“What the fuck are you on about?”

Briar runs a hand through his hair. “There, on the stairs. Did someone come up with us?”

“No. Course not.”

“You sure?”

Marcus shrugs. “I don’t remember seeing—”

“She sent me a video.”

She? She who? Dammit people, use your words!

“You’re shitting me,” Marcus says, a light laugh in his voice. “What’s on it?”

“Nothing much. Us talking. One of us opening your bedroom door.”

“That it?” Marcus snorts. “What’s that prove? Nothing.”

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