Page 42 of Brutal Kingdom

Hal drags a blunt across his nose, inhaling deeply. “When did we become your bodyguards?”

“It’s not about being bodyguards. When we’re running a game, we’re all supposed to be in attendance and together.”

Frankie points to me. “Well, that ain’t true, since Logan wasn’t there.”

Holding up my hands, I say. “Hey, I would’ve been, but I had something I needed to do for my dad.”

So I don’t make them more suspicious, I turn to Tabitha. “You’re pretty quiet. What about you? Did you see who grabbed Bella?”

“Sorry, totally missed it. I was running from some grab hands of my own.”

I seriously doubt that she was running away from anyone. More like running towards the trouble, because rebelling and reckless is her default setting. When we were kids, she was the only girl we knew who could keep a secret. Simon and I didn’t mind her hanging out with us, and we were always together. Then one day, it was like a flip switched. It was right around the time her parents divorced. Tabitha started acting out, encouraging us to sneak out of town, steal cars, do anything that could get us in trouble. In the beginning Simon would come along, but as time went on, I found myself caught in the middle of their bickering, playing mediator to my two closest friends.

I feign concern that somebody enslaved the school’s bitch queen. “Don’t worry Bella. I’ll have Simon run a search through all Prospectus accounts to see if anyone mentions grabbing you and locking you up.”

“Good. And when you find them, I’ll be the one putting them in a cage.”

I nod in agreement, but inside I’m shaking my head. The hunt was a black out event, meaning no social media posting. If someone is dumb enough to break that rule, Simon knows to shadow ban that account immediately.

Swiping my alarm off, I stand, pushing my uneaten fries towards Tabitha. “Sorry to dine and dash.” My mouth twitches on that play of words. “But I have a meeting.”

“What meeting?”

Bella’s question grates my nerves. I want so badly to tell her to fuck off, and explain I’m the one who was pulling the strings that night. But it’s still too soon to show my hand. So, instead, I say, “One I can’t miss.”

I studied Graham’s movements for a week before deciding to show up at his hotel unannounced. I know he’s here. He’s always here. So, before his assistant can tell me he’s out of the office or whatever other blow off line she’s trained to give me, I march past her and let myself into his office.

She’s still chasing after me. “Sir, can I help you, sir…”

Graham looks up at me when I stroll into the room.

His assistant squeaks out, “Mr. Holt I’m sorry, he just-”

“It’s okay.” He waves her away and says to me. “Might as well take a seat.”

A seat in his office? Not a chance. “I’ll stand.”

He sizes me up, realizing my play. “I bet you will. But here’s the thing, kid. Whether you sit or stand doesn’t matter. This is my office, my business, and all it takes is a call to get you thrown out of here.” He smiles at me like I’m a five-year-old playing with my dad’s briefcase. “But if it makes you feel like a man to come barging in here and hovering over me.Threateningme. Have at it.”

“I haven’t threatened you.” Theyetis silent, but implied.

“But that’s the plan, right? Stay away from Jordanna or else.”

“Youarea little old for her.”

“That’s funny. Your friend didn’t think so, when he came here to pimp her out, just so he could get a seat at the table.”

The vein in my jaw ticks. I’m going to make Frankie pay for that.

“You can relax. He’s already being dealt with.”

The last thing we want or need is him dealing with things his way. Shit. Frankie really screwed up putting this guy in our paths. “His deal with you was stupid, but he’s just a dumb kidlike me.”

He quirks his brow. It’s obvious I’m being sarcastic.

“And since he’s my friend, and it concerns a student at my school, I’ll be the one dealing with it.”

“Your school?” He interlocks his fingers, resting his chin on his hands. “From everything I’ve seen and heard, you’re no longer in charge ofyourschool.” He snickers. “Now if your being here is some gallant effort to warn me away from Jordanna, you’re wasting your time.”

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