Page 49 of Don't You Pucking Dare

"Don’t be a bitch." I turn to face her as she closes the door. "Let's be clear—Brody and I aren't a thing. Whatever history you have with him is yours. He’s done with me, and I’m here to… talk."

Something flickers in her eyes—surprise at my directness, maybe. "Okay?"

I start with my first question. It’s pure curiosity. I ask, "How do you know him?"

"High school." She settles onto her bed, designer sheets perfectly arranged.

I let out a laugh. Oh, this is good. "And?"

She shrugs. "We hooked up a few times. That's it."

Something changes in her tone, so I call it out. "What happened?"

She stares at the wall and says, "He changed after his brother's accident."

My pulse quickens. "What accident?"

"I'm not your personal gossip column." Her walls snap back up.

"Please." I smile, channeling Brody's predatory grace. "We both know sharing secrets is what you live for. It's your currency." I pull out the Reaper invitation, watching her eyes lock onto it. "And I'm willing to trade."

Her perfectly glossed lips part slightly. I've got her.

"Tell me about his brother," I say softly. "And this invitation is yours."

"It's all rumors," Amanda says, but her eyes tell a different story. "Something about a drug deal gone wrong.Some gang. They didn't kill his brother, but..." She trails off, manicured nails picking at her bedspread. "The wheelchair's permanent."

The piece of information sits heavy in my chest.

She continues, "And daddy's money keeps him comfortable."

I am thinking deeply about that for a moment, and then she interrupts my thoughts.

"You really don't know anything, do you?" Her laugh holds more pity than mockery now. "Their father the governor. The Blacks aren't just rich—they're political dynasty rich."

"Governor?" The word comes out strangled. I think about Brody in that underground chamber, orchestrating torture while his father campaigns for office. About his brother in a wheelchair, burning with revenge while their family plays perfect for the cameras.

"He's kind of a big deal." Amanda watches me process this. "That's why Brody's... Brody."

"That’s why you're still hung up on him?"

"What?" Her deflection comes too quick.

"Come on." I recognize the look in her eyes—I've seen it in my mirror. The way Brody gets under your skin, makes you crave his particular brand of darkness.

I hold out the invitation but keep my grip when she reaches for it. "Listen. We're not friends, but..." I think about the chamber, about Jack's screams. "These parties aren't safe. Don't go alone."

"Are you going?"

"No… not this time."

"Is he a Reaper?" Her voice drops to almost a whisper.

"He's trying to be." The puzzle pieces start shifting. "I just don't know why."

Amanda's smile turns knowing. "That's easy. His brother was one. Before the accident."

The invitation slips from my fingers as everything clicks. Brody's obsession with the Reapers. His need to prove himself. His brother's shadow looming over every move he makes.

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