Page 19 of Brutal Kingdom

I turn, glaring at him.

“Ah, I see that has your attention.”

“My sister has nothing to do with this, and if you go anywhere near her, you know what’ll happen.”

“Ah, ah, ah. Remember. Our agreement on campus has nothing to do with what happens or is decided here.”

“That’s an arbitrary rule, and one you can’t enforce.”

“Here’s the thing. The people here tonight are members of our special little club. We all agree, and we all adhere to the rules. We have their signatures in writing, and we can enforce it. Just because you showed up uninvited doesn’t mean we won’t hold you to the same standard.”

“You leave my sister out of this.”

“She’s not in it.Yet.But whether or not she stays untouchably ignorant is up to you.”

And just like that, I’m thrust back into the game. “What do you want?” I already know what the answer will be. Those files. The ones I no longer have. If I did, I’d gladly give them up for Summer. I just need to buy some time for my guy to work his magic.

Frankie’s still talking. “The queen has decided she’s going to give you a do-over. Your first time playing ten minutes in hell with Logan wasn’t torturous enough.”

“I don’t understand.” I’m genuinely confused about the request. Why would Bella want me to play this game rather than use the only leverage she has to get those files back? Unless she knows I don’t have them. Bitch.

Hal points to the window. “It’s simple. You gotta go out there, and make this unbearable for him.”

“Logan won’t care if I’m watching.”

“Who said anything about watching? You’re gonna be the one torturing him.” Frankie pulls me to a door I didn’t see before, saying, “And Jordy, unless you want your sister to experience what you did your first semester here, I suggest you make it good.”

“You can’t possibly believe I’ll do shit you say, and this little stunt you’re trying to pull only guarantees that I go public.”

They both laugh, and Hal says, “Your sister is at a party tonight. She looks really cute in her pink sparkle halter top, with hair hanging over one shoulder.”

My blood runs cold. They know what Summer wore tonight. We spent hours talking about her first college party and I watched her get dressed.

“That’s right, Jordanna. We’re the elite of this country. We can get to anyone. Anytime. Anywhere.”

He shoves me inside the room; the door closing with a note of finality behind me. I look to where I was watching with Hal and Frankie, and see nothing but darkened glass. It has to be a two-way mirror. Aside from the participants and the people guarding the door, everyone else is hidden behind glass, too. Not that it makes this any easier. They’re still there. Watching. And even though I can’t see her, I know Bella has a front-row seat, getting a kick out of this. Damn me and my inquisitive mind. I should’ve waited and come up with a plan to find out where they were meeting. I’m sure I could’ve cultivated a source if I would’ve taken a little more time.

I step closer to the middle of the room.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Logan’s voice is as hard and cold as a glacier. Eyes dark, full of hatred. This will definitely be the most uncomfortable ten minutes of my life so far.

“Your friends thought it would be amusing for me to see you like this.”

“You mean they thought this would be a way to embarrass me. Well, they’re wrong. I can sit here enduring this all night.”

I nod because I’m sure he could. His willpower and ego would never let him truly be at someone else’s mercy. That I was even able to fool him is a shock. “Well, Bella figured that out, too. Which is why I’m the person you’ll be spending the next ten minutes with.”

He snorts. “After the shit you pulled, and knowing you hate me. You’re even easier to resist.”

That stings a little. I’m suddenly so resistible, when he couldn’t keep his hands off of me before. Stepping forward, I think about Hal and Frankie’s threats. I don’t trust that they won’t still do it, but I have to operate in good faith to protect Summer. Steadying my breath, I slowly unbutton my shirt, just enough to expose the space between my cleavage.

“What are you doing?” He asks, averting his gaze.

“This.” I straddle his lap, putting his hands on my breast, watching as suspicion and boredom cross his face.

“You think this gets me hot? It doesn’t.”

I know that. His attitude alone is enough to block any attraction he may feel for me, and I know my disgust is coming off of me in waves.Summer.I have to do this for her. I won’t let them destroy her innocence and make her a pawn like they did me. If last semester taught me anything, it’s that I can do whatever I have to, to get the results I want.

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