Page 79 of Filthy Elites

“I’m fine,” he grits out.

“Reid should have taken it easy on you. He could have broken your arm.”

“Nah. He knew exactly how to inflict pain without maiming me. It’s all good.”

We stop at my locker first, and as I’m busy getting everything I need, Jason leans casually against the locker next to mine. “We need to get you a proper violin.”

“I know. I’ll keep looking online.”

“No need. I think I found the perfect one for you.”

I whip my face to him, frowning. “It’d better not be another unicorn explosion.”

“No. It’s an instrument worthy of a prodigy. Naturally, you need to try it out first.”

“Where’s the store?”

“In LA. The owner only deals with the best instruments in the world. I have a light schedule today. We could go after lunch.”

I can’t contain my enthusiasm. I’d consider blowing off the rest of my classes and going now, but I’ve already pushed my luck with Mr. Cain. He’s not going to keep giving me a free pass just because of my secret and his friendship with my parents.

Behind me, someone shuts their locker with a bang. I turn, and surprise, surprise, it’s Sloane. The glower aimed at us makes it clear she overheard our conversation.

“Man, she really hates my guts, doesn’t she?”

“It’s my fault. I’ve always known she had a thing for me. I shouldn’t have led her on to make you jealous.”

“I knew it!”

He steps closer, smiling like a fiend. “Just like I knew it bothered you to see me get up close and personal with another girl.”

I curl my fingers around his jacket. “You’d better not pull that crap again.”

He leans closer and nudges my neck with his nose. Desire spreads throughout my body, making me wish we were alone.

“I won’t. Promise,” he whispers.

“Get a room!” someone yells.

Jason tenses and looks at whoever spoke, ready to strike. It’s Luke, smiling from ear to ear, who called us out.

“I don’t know why you’re grinning, punk. I haven’t forgotten what you did last Saturday.”

The amusement vanishes from his face. Finn and Cameron join their friend, but it’s Finn who speaks next.

“We’re leaving. Come on, Luke.”

After they disappear in the crowd, I ask, “Why is everyone afraid of what Luke might do if he gets angry?”

“You haven’t figured it out yet?”

I shake my head.

“Because he’s a crazy motherfucker, that’s why.”

“But you’re not afraid of him.”

He smiles, and a gleam of danger shines in his eyes. “No, and you want to know why?”

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