Page 99 of Brutal Prince

Bile floods my mouth.

No wonder no one could prove anything — Marcus helped Briar cover it up. Probably his other friends, too. So much for breaking into their little group and finding a weak link. No doubt they’ve all vowed to keep Briar’s horrible secret.

“So why’d she do it, huh? Just to put me on a guilt trip?”

I’ve never heard such venom in Briar’s words. I cringe back, hugging myself hard. Oh God, Addy wasn’t kidding. This guy’s a fucking psycho…and I was alone with him.

Willingly.

What the fuck does that say about me?

“Addy’s a vindictive cunt,” Briar continues, “but she’s gotta have a better reason than that.”

Addy? That’s who they’re talking about?

My mouth drops open.

“I bet you it’s money.” Marcus points at Briar, nodding. “I hear her folks’s business is going belly up. Tax evasion or some shit.”

Briar cocks his head. “You’re shitting me.”

Marcus shakes his head. “You’ll see. She’s gonna extort you for everything you’ve got.”

“Fuck!” Briar whips around and punches the closest wall and that thump feels like it goes straight through me.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared in my life.

Those two silhouettes don’t look like high school boys. They look like full-grown men.

Dangerous.

Edgy.

Psychotic as fuck.

I press my lips into a line, and do my best to vanish into the bramble bush.

“But…she can’t have anything, can she?”

They’re blocked out by the brambles now, but when Marcus answers, I can tell from his voice that he’s lost interest in the conversation.

“Whatever, bro. Pay her, don’t pay her. Maybe she’s bluffing, who the fuck knows. That bitch is crazy enough, she’d do anything to get you to confess.”

“I’m not confessing,” Briar grates out.

I bite my lip, giving my head a small shake.

At least Addy won’t have to try convincing me anymore. After tonight, I know for a fact that Briar is every inch as guilty as Addy claimed he was. My jaw bunches as fury wells inside me. My hands fist, digging into my sides as I squeeze myself.

I let this monster touch me.

“Whatever man.” Footsteps signal Marcus’s exit.

For a terrifying moment, I think Briar’s heading back in my direction. But I guess he has a lot on his mind, because a second later he calls out, “Hey, wait for me,” and hurries after Marcus.

No wonder they’re so close. Blood brothers usually are.

I have to speak to Addy. I have to know what she has on Briar. And then we’ll figure out a plan, once and for all, to take these fuckers down.

---