Page 31 of Brutal Prince

“Yeah,” I mutter, dropping my eyes. “Tripped on my shoelaces.”

Briar reaches out a hand and grabs my arm, hauling me up. “You make sure they’re real tight this time, Indigo.”

My snarl transforms into a tight smile which I turn to Mr. Veroza.

Yeah, I can tell him. And suffer the wrath Briar will no doubt shovel on my head. Instead, I’ll just turn the other cheek. Because, guess what?

If an animal goes long enough without eating, it fucking starves.

* * *

Briar

When I getinto the hall, Indigo’s nowhere in sight. She must have sprinted down the hall for me not to see her.

I smile to myself and head for my locker to put my books away before lunch. And here I thought my week was going to be same as usual. I’m kinda glad I stumbled into Indigo in the woods last night.

But I guess she isn’t. I close my locker. Marcus is beside it, leaning with his back against the locker next to mine and tugging discreetly on his vape as he watches everyone move past us.

“Dylan said Cindy got it all on her phone,” he says, before I can even open my mouth. “They’re busy circulating it already.”

“Good,” I murmur, allowing myself a small smile.

“So I got my stuff in the car,” Marcus says. “Still cool if I come over.”

“Course.” I wave at him, frowning slightly. “You know it is.”

I take a second to scan my friend. His mood’s improved a little with this whole Indi thing, but he’s still standing stiff and proper.

“You see your dad this morning?” I ask casually, my eyes on my locker as I hunt around for one of my textbooks.

“Nah,” he says through a sigh. “He’s got some big project he’s working on that’ll keep him busy for a while.”

“In Lavish?”

“Un-fucking-fortunately,” Marcus says, shaking his head. “Should only be for a day or two though. That okay?”

I slam my locker closed, turn, and grab the side of Marcus’s neck. “Dude, I said it’s fine. For fuck’s sake.”

Marcus drops his eyes and gives me a small nod. “Thanks, man.”

“No need to thank me. But you’re buying the pizza tonight.”

He laughs, and waves at me as he heads away. Then he turns, walking backward. “What’s next for her?”

There are a few kids around us, but they all know by now not to pay attention to me or even attempt to eavesdrop. Then again, I couldn’t give a shit if the whole school knew I have Indi in my crosshairs. Maybe then she’ll realize she’s better off being somewhere else, far away from me, and too far away to do any damage.

“I’ll text you,” I say, lifting my chin. Marcus gives me a thumbs-up and disappears up the stairs.

I let out a low chuckle as I run my hands through my hair and head for class. Around me, students part like water around a ship.

I’m used to the fear in their eyes by now. That uncertain look they get when they see me. They make me out to be a monster, larger than life, a deviant. But they have no proof, just gossip and rumors. Let them whisper. Let them play detective.

That shit didn’t rattle me back then, it won’t rattle me now.

Anyway, I have better things on my mind. Like the new toy I have to play with.

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