Page 158 of The Ruthless Note

He looks down at me. His voice is cold and lashing. “Would you be able to do anything even if I did?”

My heart explodes. Shatters just as hard as the windows this morning.

Dutch did this.

Which means that I did this.

I put Serena in the crosshairs by hanging around her, by being her friend. The people I want to protect are all targets for The Kings, like little bottles in a shooting game at the carnival. Helpless. Something to be discarded and thrown away. Playthings in the hands of the rich rulers of Redwood Prep.

The door widens. Zane and Finn step into my line of sight, close behind Dutch. They all look at me, the three of them. Perfect. Gorgeous. Predators.

But I’m nobody’s freaking prey.

I smile slightly.

A flicker of dismay crosses Dutch’s eyes.

I step closer. Closer. Until my chest brushes his.

“I will make you pay,” I growl.

He says nothing.

I whirl around and stomp out of school. The crowd makes way for me, watching me, filming me.

Screw them.

Screw them all.

I don't stop until I’m outside and then I keep moving.

The sunshine screams. Heat touches every part of me. Burning me alive. Burning me to ashes.

I stop on the middle of the sidewalk, bend forward and let loose a scream that rattles the foundations of the buildings around me.

I'm so tired. I'm so done with always being on the receiving end of this crap.

I have to do something.

I’m just not sure what yet.

We need evidence.Miss Jamieson’s words linger in my head.

Although I’m dying inside, I force myself to go back to Redwood and attend class. Maybe I can talk to the security guards again and get more information that’ll help free Serena.

It’s impossible to focus on my lessons. The teachers’ words flow right past my head.

When I walk into the hallway later and see Dutch, my anger burns again. He looks totally normal after obliterating someone’s world.

My skin bristles. I crave his anger, his pain. But he doesn't look at me. He only walks past me. Not saying a word. Pretending I'm not there.

I want to lodge myself in his path and punch him in the face, but I know his brothers will stop me.

Sol is with them. He gives me a strange look when he passes me by. His eyes are lingering. Always lingering. I want to smack him too. Whatever his deal is, how could he be friends with that pack of lions? How could he sit there and say nothing while they torment innocent people like Serena?

After school, I try to interview the security guards, but they all shoo me away and refuse to say a word. With no other recourse, I take the bus to the city hospital to talk to Serena again.

At the front desk, I ask for Serena since I don’t know her mom’s name. The nurse won’t give up the information.

---