Page 54 of The Ruthless Note

But it’s no use.

“You, two!” Heavy footsteps thud closer. “What an inappropriate display! Everyone, go to class. Go to—you two! Detention for both of you! And you, put on your clothes. This is a place of learning, not a strip club!”

Dutch rolls his eyes like the delinquent he is and turns around slowly.

Principal Harris’ cheeks—that were already a mottled red—turn the color of a fire hydrant. “Mr. Cross… I didn’t realize…”

Dutch holds up a hand and the Principal bites back his words immediately.

“I’ll go home for another uniform since mine seems to have,” he glances back at me, “mysteriously disappeared.”

“O-of course, Mr. Cross. I’m sure this must have been a misunderstanding.”

Dutch looks away from the principal as if he’s disgusted.

I inwardly curse at him. He’s so damn arrogant. It’s amazing even his brothers can stand him.

Dutch turns back to me. “I’ll seeyouin detention.”

Anger boils in my veins as Dutch stalks, calm as a snake, down the hallway and disappears from sight.

* * *

Jinx: Prince Charming Is Packing

Did you think I’d be covering anything else? Prince Charming was seen stomping down the hallways in nothing but a piece of spandex that left LITTLE to the imagination. Girls will be up all night posting fan-fics, I’m sure of it. But did anyone else peep the way our Crown Prince brushed off the rising Princess Pompoms? I smell a female rivalry rising from the depths.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. New Girl better watch her back.

Until the next post, keep your enemies close and your secrets even closer.

- Jinx

CHAPTERTWELVE

DUTCH

I check my watch, slide my hand into my pocket and nod to the door. “Get out.”

Footsteps patter as everyone in detention hurries out of sight.

I check my watch again.

She should be here any minute.

I sink into a chair at the back of the room and keep my eyes on the door. It’s the end of the day. I’m wearing khaki-colored trousers and a button-down shirt with the Redwood Prep logo on the pocket, but I might as well not have bothered. When I came back to school fully dressed, people were staring at me is if I were still in my speedo.

I don’t think Zane, with all his antics, managed to stir up Redwood Prep like that before.

The door creaks open.

The air turns charged as Cadence sticks her head in. Dark-chocolate hair spills down her left shoulder.

She glances around in confusion. “Where is everyone?”

“It’s just us.”

“Really?” Her nose scrunches. “I thought I heard someone else getting detention today.”

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