Page 12 of Brutal Kingdom

“Shh.”

I still, the fight leaving me, when I recognize his voice; but I’m still on edge because what is he doing coming anywhere near me?

“What the fuck, Logan?” I whisper when he finally releases me. He’s dragged me further from the crowd. Obviously, he doesn’t want anyone to see us talking. That goes double for me.

“Tell me why you did it.”

Are we back to that? I thought we got it all out on the ferry. “You know why. I needed to be free of you and to prove to everyone that they can’t just walk all over me.”

“Then why didn’t you publish your articles. That would’ve been a more permanent way to get us off your back. No one would try anything with the world watching.”

Is he trying to trip me up, because he’s the one responsible for my wiped drive? I’m supposed to fake it until my tech friend has a chance to work his magic. Logan doesn’t trust me, but let’s see if I can still lie well enough to deceive him.

“I gave each of you an option. You like control so much, well congratulations. You’re in control of whether or not those files see the light of day. Do you want me to release them? Is that why you’re up in my face, Logan? Or is there something else you were hoping to get?”

He stiffens at the implication. “You have nothing I want.”

I step closer, pressing my hand against his chest. “Are you sure about that? Because you used to wanteverythingfrom me.” I say repeating the words he said before I left for spring break.

“I’vehadeverything from you. Your mouth, your cunt, your ass. There’s nothing left for me to fuck. So maybe the next chump will fall for your act. I won’t.”

He’s trying to hurt me and make me feel dirty. I don’t, because yes, he’s had those things, but I never felt more alive than when he was touching me. No matter what we think of each other now, I know I wouldn’t have learned I’m as strong as I am, if it weren’t for him.

“You’re right.” I say, smiling up at him. “You had those things and used my body in the most filthy ways imaginable. Thanks for that. I had a blast.” I drag my hand across my chest. “Damn, that little trip down memory lane has me hot. Guess I’ll go find myself a chump.” Spinning on my heel, I toss over my shoulder, “Enjoy your night.”

When I’m a good distance away, I shake out the tension in my neck and arms. I go to find a place to sit. It happens to be in an area facing the other side of the bonfire. The BPs are sitting together, separated from the rest of the group. I watch as they hand select students to sit with them. The girl from the dining hall is here and from the looks of things, she’s no closer to joining Bella’s inner circle than she was a week ago. I feel a set of eyes on me and look over to see the guy she sat next to, the same one from the bookstore, staring at me. His eyes look pitch black from here. A shiver runs down my spine when our gazes lock.

“Somebody has a secret admirer.” Kassidy says, taking a seat beside me.

“God, I hope not.” I groan, thinking of the last few admirers I had.

“Why not?”

“Well, friend, let’s see. There was Logan, and the toxic dynamic we had. Then I had some random guy or girl sending me love notes last semester. I have no idea who that was, and then Will admired me so much he assaulted me at a party.”

“You what?”

“Will assaulted me at a party. I told you about that.”

“Everybody knows about that. Logan beat his ass for doing it. Go back to the love notes.”

“Oh right. I never told you. I was getting love notes with the weekly edition of The Scroll, and I thought they were from Logan.” Shrugging dismissively, I finish with, “Turns out they weren’t.”

“And you don’t know who sent them?”

“Not a clue.”

“What are we thinking? Was it creepy and weird?”

“No. The notes were sweet. They stopped and I have no idea why. But it’s a good thing they did. Logan was upset about it all.”

“Of course he was. Well, if they start up again, and you find out who’s sending them, make an honest man out of him. Love notes are a lost art form.”

“True, but I’m not dating this year. I’m all about my art and the paper and graduating. Men and I, we’re sworn enemies.”

“Because of Logan?”

“Because of the amount of energy I spent last year falling for and getting revenge on him. I went to a pretty dark place and I don’t want to do that again. The best way to guard my heart is to keep it locked up and focus on school, which is what I should’ve done to begin with.”

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