Page 116 of The Ruthless Note

I toe out of my white sneakers. I’ve been on my feet all evening at the diner and my feet are throbbing. “Greatest of all time is an exaggeration.”

“Fight me.”

I laugh. The moment my feet are free, I breathe out in relief.

Breeze follows me to my bedroom, her eyes narrowing on me. “Is something going on? You seem stressed.”

“Nope. Just missing you.” I hug Breeze again, tucking my head into her shoulder and letting out a little sigh of gratitude.

She knows me better than anyone else. And I don’t want her to see that Redwood is beating the crap out of me.

As I hide my face from her, I think of Jinx’s last text message.

Sorry, New Girl. The secret you gave in exchange for the Christa video is too valuable. Nothing can top that. Not unless you have a steamy vid you can share.

Not unless you have a steamy vid.

It’s deplorable—despicable, really—the thoughts her words conjured. It would be so easy too. Dutch hasn’t made it a secret that he wants me.

And I…

No, I can’t.

It’s not like she’s actually going to help me if I deliver that kind of video.

But it’s a chance…

One I desperately need.

Breeze shrugs me off. “It’s too hot for all this hugging. Go shower and change.”

“I’ll be right out.”

When I pass Viola’s room, I see her playing around with her makeup and ring light. She’s got so much makeup caked on her face that she looks way older than thirteen.

It alarms me.

I knock on the door. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“I, uh, wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh no.” She blinks rapidly.

“You and your guy friends will be at that event tonight. It’s the perfect environment for them to put their arms around you and try to, you know, touch you.”

She squeezes her eyes shut. “Please stop.”

“You don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, okay? And if you have any questions, you can come to me. I’d rather you talk to me about those things than try to experiment with boys—”

“Ew.” She sucks her cheeks in and runs a makeup brush over the hollows of her face. “I’m not doing that.”

“Doing boys?”

“Talking to you about sex.” She rolls her eyes. “That’s gross.”

“You can though.”

---