Page 55 of The Sweetest Revenge

Rage surged through me, hot and sharp. "Fuck you." I twisted, fighting against his grip until I could face him. The look in his eyes made me falter. "You're fucking crazy." I shoved at his chest, desperate to put space between us. My palm burned where it met his body. "I'm not sucking your dick in a hall closet so you can fulfill some disgusting fantasy."

His lips twisted—not a smile, something darker. Something that made my blood run cold. "My fantasy has nothing to do with a hall closet."

My brows pulled together as he leaned in so close his minty breath ghosted across my face, making my nose twitch. "I'm more into public humiliation."

My eyes widened as understanding crashed over me. Oh God. "You wouldn't." But even as I said it, I saw the truth written in the cruel curve of his mouth, in the predatory gleam of his eyes. "Zaiden, if you do this—" My voice cracked. I swallowed hard and forced the words out. "I will be disowned by not only my team but the football team."

"It's over, Ariella," he sneered. "I'm ruining your life the same way you ruined my sisters."

My chest constricted. "I. Did. Not. Kill. Your. Sister."

Hard eyes held mine, unblinking. Searching. For what? A crack in my armor? A hint of guilt? He wouldn't find it because I wasn't responsible for her death.

"Did you even ask Sam what I did?" My voice rose, desperation clawing at my throat. "Or just took what she said and ran with it?" His silence screamed louder than any answer. The muscle in his jaw ticked. "No, you decided I was guilty because you needed someone to blame."

"It doesn't fucking matter." The casual shrug of his shoulders felt like violence.

He reached into his pocket. My heart stuttered. A phone. Just a phone, but the sight of it made my blood freeze. The video. Oh God, the video. "You have two choices. Either I ruin your life or your friends." My chest tightened as the video flashed through my thoughts. "What do you think the grieving wife would think?" His thumb hovered over the screen. "When the videos go viral?" A pause. "And the school has painted him as a hero. What will they think?"

"Call Sam." The words burst from me, one last desperate scramble. "Ask her what she saw, Zaiden. I never talked to Kacie that night."

"Make the choice, Ariella." His voice dropped low, intimate, like we were lovers sharing secrets instead of enemies trading threats. "You or your friends."

My lip curled into a snarl even as defeat settled heavily in my gut. The choice was already made. Had been made the moment he pulled out that phone. We both knew it.

"Fine, Zaiden. You want me on my knees?" I threw out my hands, a gesture of surrender. "I will." My voice dropped to a whisper. "But I will find out the truth, and when I do?—"

His large hand shot out, wrapping around my upper arm. The sudden movement cut off my words as he dragged me forward. He stopped in the center of the room, jerking me against his chest.

"I know the truth." His breath was hot against my ear, but his words were Arctic cold. "Now, get on your knees."

My heart hammered against my ribs as I scanned the room—faces everywhere—the football team, cheerleaders, dancers, and football groupies.

"Zaiden, please."

His fingers flexed against my arm. "Get. On. Your. Fucking. Knees." He jabbed a finger toward the ground, the gesture almost casual. Almost. "And make it look good, princess." His voice pitched lower, meant for my ears alone. "Make it look like my cock is the best thing you've ever tasted."

The floor was cold through my leggings as I sank, wincing when my knees hit the hardwood floor. My eyes locked on his, defiance burning even as shame crawled up my spine. "You will regret this." Venom laced every syllable. "I hate you."

His hand moved too fast to dodge, pinching my chin between thumb and forefinger. His grip was deceptively gentle, like handling fine china before shattering it against a wall.

"Good." The corner of his mouth twitched. His thumb traced my bottom lip, the touch almost reverent. Almost tender. It made my skin crawl. "Now open your mouth and suck my cock like you fucking hate me." His eyes darkened, pupils blown wide. "You're going to look so pretty, gagging on my dick."

"What's going on?" EJ's voice cut through the heavy air like thunder. The crowd shifted, parting. But Zaiden's grip on my face tightened, holding me in place and forcing me to stare up at him.

"Eyes on me, princess." He didn't even glance at EJ. Didn't need to. He had his audience exactly where he wanted them.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Knight?" EJ's voice was closer now. Confused. Angry. "Why are you on the floor, Ari?"

"Tell him, Ariella." Zaiden released my jaw, but the phantom pressure remained. His hand settled on my head, fingers threading through my hair. A lover's caress twisted into something cruel. "You want me to tell him, baby?"

My throat worked against a hard swallow. The music cut out abruptly, leaving only the sound of my ragged breathing and the rustle of dozens of bodies shifting closer. The silence pressed in like a physical weight.

"Tell me what?" EJ's voice cracked. "Baby, get off the floor."

"Baby?" Zaiden's eyes widened with mock surprise. A humorless laugh bubbled from his throat. "I think we should show him." His fingers tightened in my hair. His gaze flashed to EJ. "Ariella is mine." His entire body tensed as his jaw flexed. "Now open your mouth for me."

My teeth clenched so hard, it ached. His eyes held mine.

---