Page 135 of Brutal Prince

Hosted by Dylan Steward

15 Serenity Lane, Devil’s Creek Golf Estate

22h00 till Late

Strictly black-tie

I stare at the image messaged to me by an unknown number a few minutes after assembly this morning. Fuck knows how the person who sent it got my number, but that’s not really top of my mind right now.

A Simple Affair? This party doesn’t sound simple at all. And what high school kid arranges a black-tie party? Or is that code for something else…?

I would have asked Addy, but she isn’t at school today, and her phone is still off. I went to the office to ask after her, but they refused to hand out any details.

Guess I’ll have to figure out the logistics by myself. It sucks, because my plan involved her as my accomplice. I have no idea how I’m supposed to pull this off without her.

I should be paying attention to Mrs. Winslow’s lecture on sanitation policy in developing countries, but I swear she’s speaking Ancient Sumerian or something equally as cryptic. All I can think about is the jewelry box in my pocket. When Mrs. Winslow starts writing out our homework on the board, I slip the box from my pocket and take out the delicate bracelet with its mesmerizing stones.

I let the bracelet slip through my fingers, twisting and turning the sapphires so they catch the light.

God, it’s beautiful.

Which brings up so many questions, least of all—

We both know what’s going to happen tonight.

I squeeze shut my eyes and inhale deep. No, Briar. You think you know what’s going to happen, but you’ve got no fucking clue.

As I slip the bracelet back inside its box, I feel eyes on me. I put the box in my pocket and take a quick peek around the classroom.

Marcus is openly staring at me, his dark eyes as unreadable as his blank face.

I hurriedly face forward again, and start copying our homework into my notebook. As much as I try to ignore it, I can feel those black eyes on me for the rest of the lesson.

Will he be there tonight?

Fuck, why wouldn’t he? He and Briar seem inseparable.

Does he have a date?

Why the fuck do I care? I have more important things to think about.

Like what the hell I’m going to wear.

* * *

Briar

When I spotIndi leaning against the wall of classroom 301, a smile twitches at my mouth. She’s staring at something in her hand, and as soon as I come close enough to see it sparkle, my suspicion as to what it is is confirmed.

“Guess I’m not the only one who likes pretty things.”

Indi starts, her hand closing guiltily over the sapphires. She slips the chain back into the box and shoves it into her blazer.

Her glare slides right off when I slip my hand behind her neck, draw her close, and bring her close enough to kiss.

Stiffening against me, her eyes dart over mine, anger swiftly replaced with confusion.

“I’ll have to take it back if you say no,” I murmur.

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