Page 43 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Caleb’s body heat surges through me, his heartbeat matching mine. And despite how hard I did or did not kick him in the family jewels, there doesn’t seem to be any permanent damage, because I sense his stiffness growing against my thigh.

The knowledge that he’s on top of me and hard is enough to make me swallow past a suddenly massive knot in my throat.

And then, just as quickly as it started, it’s over. Caleb releases me and bounds upright in a weirdly graceful move.

I’m left in a crumpled, sweaty heap on the floor, breathing hard in fear and wondering what the hell just happened.

“That’s your next lesson,” he growls. “Never let your guard down. And never, ever turn your back on the enemy.”

It’s all I can do to nod.

After that, the idea of training anymore seems like a decidedly bad idea.

So, we make plans to meet up every evening at seven, and I rush to the door to put on my shoes before Caleb changes his mind and decides to take that clinch one step farther.

When I reach the door, Caleb is standing a few feet behind me, leaning against the wall with his shoulder. “Are you sure knowing how to defend yourself is worth all of this? Maybe we should just call it, forget this deal ever happened, and go our separate ways.”

I weigh the offer.

When I originally threatened Caleb, I didn’t quite understand what I was getting involved in. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and now he is in control of my reputation at my new school.

Even worse, if I fuck things up too much, he could ruin things for my dad at work. He could destroy what little respect my parents might still have for me.

Unknowingly, I gave Caleb complete power over my future. Calling things off now before anyone really gets hurt could be smart.

But then I remember the note I found on my car this morning.

I haven’t forgotten. You owe me, bitch.

Whether I end things with Caleb or not, I’m still going to be in danger. John is coming for me, and until I can find the money to pay him back, I have to at least be able to protect myself.

When the shit hits the fan and John comes calling, I don’t want to freeze up or run away.

I want to fight.

And I can’t do that without Caleb.

I pull the door open and wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”

17

Caleb

Haley doesn’t make any fucking sense to me.

She is like a rabbit, nervous and scared of everything.

And yet I seem to be the one person in her life she stands up to. She is afraid of Bumper Whitley, the biggest pussy in South Texas, but she doesn’t mind giving me a swift kick to the nuts.

I flinch at the memory and readjust in my chair. It was a solid kick. They’re still tender.

“You got home late today.”

Mom walks into the dining room as she fastens a black apron around her waist. It has her name, Ophelia, stitched into the center pocket just below “Long John Bar & Brew.”

She has been working the bar there for six months to help cover expenses. I fucking hate that she has to do to that. She deserves better.

“I showered at Finn’s.”

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