Page 116 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

It wasn’t even a conscious pushing away of anger. I did it to survive. Because I couldn’t focus on staying safe and also remember all the betrayal and heartbreak and anguish.

But now, with nothing else to think about, it all comes rushing back in a wave so large I worry I’ll fall over.

I lower my arms and press my palms on the side of my car, holding myself in place, trying to ground myself.

“Hi.” The word squeezes out between clenched teeth. “I’m surprised to see you. I half expected a hit man to show up and take me out.”

Her eyebrows lift in surprise at my anger, but then the cold mask is back in place. “You said you had the money?”

Part of me wants to hand it to her and be done with it. To throw her the cash, walk away, and never see her again.

But another part of me needs more closure than that.

“Why did you do it?” I take a step forward into the empty space between us. “You were my best friend.”

“Exactly. Past tense.” She shrugs. “You left, and I had to make new friends.”

“I moved across town, ‘Stef. Stop acting like I chartered a rocket to a new planet.”

She stands tall, rocking slightly on her high heels, and turns to me. “You did! A planet where you date a Golden Boy. And live in a mansion.”

“So you thought my dad getting a new job means I should be attacked by bikers? Awesome. Glad to know where we stand.”

“No, you stealing from my boyfriend meant you should be attacked by bikers,” Estefania spits back.

It takes me a second to understand her meaning. “You’re datingJohn?”

I knew Estefania was helping him, but I assumed she was being manipulated or threatened. Her actions still made me angry, but I thought there still had to be some kind of explanation. Something that would cause her to turn her back on me.

Love for my abusive ex-boyfriend never once crossed my mind.

“John and I have become … close,” she said. “You left us both, so I guess I can thank you for the fact that we bonded.”

I blink at her, unable to formulate words. My stomach twists and flips. I feel like I might be sick.

“Do you have the money or what?” she asks, crossing her arms.

I’m done.

Absolutely, entirely done.

I don’t want closure or explanations or apologies—as if I’d get an apology anyway. I don’t want anything from Estefania except for her to get out of my sight. I reach into my back pocket and pull out the envelope.

“Take it and get the fuck out of my face.”

Estefania doesn’t move. She just holds out her hand, and I don’t have the energy to be as petty as she is. The sooner I get the envelope in her hand, the sooner I can get out of here and put this all behind me.

I swallow my annoyance, cross the space between us, and slap the envelope into her hand. The second her fingers close around it, her face changes. Regret wrinkles her forehead, and she takes a few stumbling steps away from me.

Then, the back door of her car opens and a man lunges at me from the floor of the back seat. He’d been hiding there throughout the entirety of our conversation.

I’m too stunned to react at first.

By the time I think to turn and run, it’s too late.

The man’s arms are around me and a second car is pulling up along the curb.

I flail my legs, trying to hit the man strategically between his own legs since my arms are pinned to my sides, but I can’t manage it.

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