Page 99 of The Rivals' Touch

“Trust me,” I sneer, baring my teeth. “It’s mild compared to a lot of the shit I have to endure!”

“Why the fuck did that dickhead hurt you?!”

“Because I told him I would climb into your bed and fuck you the minute he left!”

He looks surprised by that. “What? But why?”

I shove him away. “Because I don’t want to fucking marry him! I don’t want to be a business transaction between his dad and mine.”

For once, Zayd is mute. He looks so confused; I would laugh if the situation wasn’t so fucked up. Overhead the fluorescent light flickers and the faulty tap drips. The bathroom stinks of piss and damp mold.

“I’m being forced to marry Bennett. This weekend he… I thought I knew him. Fuck, after two years, I should know him. He forced himself on me and then hit me. Are you fucking happy now, Zayd? You wanted to know. There’s the ugly truth for you!”

Zayd’s eyes darken. “He forced himself on you?”

He and my dad. But there’s only so much shameful truth I feel ready to share. I nod once.

“FUCK!” Zayd roars, kicking the stall door open. “He’s dead! I’ll kill him!”

Panic seizes me. “What? No! Zayd, there’s nothing you can do!”

He storms out and stops short when he spots Jacob standing guard outside as if he knew all along that Zayd would flip out.

“What’s the plan?” Jacob asks, watching Zayd pace.

“We’re going to pay Bennett a visit.”

Jacob wets his lips, choosing his words wisely. “Is that such a good idea?”

“I don’t fucking care! I need him to know that we have eyes on him!”

I stand rooted to the ground. “What are you saying, Zayd?”

He turns, piercing me with his brown eyes. “We’re taking a trip to Hedgewood.”

“No…” I whisper, pressing my palms over my mouth. Nothing good will come of going over there. It will land me in more deep shit with my dad.

“Yes!” Legacy speaks up behind me, dressed in a short jeans skirt and a ribbed white tank top with a cut-out front.

I didn’t even notice her out here in the hallway.

“They won’t expect us to walk in on their territory.”

“Where’s the girl?” I ask Jacob. That seems to be the only thing that my mind seems capable of processing. Not the other shit.

“What girl?” Zayd asks, looking around.

“You made her run for the hills!” Jacob smirks, shrugging. “Just as well.”

Legacy crosses her arms and gives me a look. “Jacob too?”

My cheeks turn crimson as Zayd’s head snaps our way.

“What?”

Legacy ignores him. “Anyone else you want to add to this harem?”

I cringe, walking past her, but she grabs my arm and drags me right back. “You’re not going anywhere.”

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