Page 69 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Luckily, Noah grabs me and holds me back before I can get very far.

The red in my vision leaks away slowly, but my heart is thundering in my chest and my hands are itching to hit something.

Orsomeone.

“Leave.” I point a shaking finger back towards the road. “Get out of here before you live to regret it.”

Felix steps forward and whispers something in Bumper’s ear, and Bumper shakes his head and waves him off dismissively.

“Give me what I want, and I’ll go,” he says.

“Then spit it out already,” Noah says in a bored voice. “What do you want?”

Bumper grins, and firelight glints off his teeth, making them look sharp. “She knows what she took. Don’t you, Haley?”

Again, I hear the rustling behind me, but I don’t turn around to look at her. Bumper doesn’t seem to have any questions about what his ex-girlfriend is doing in the company of the Golden Boys, which leads me to believe that the little rumor I started about the two of us has spread further than intended.

“Ever heard of a text?” J.C. asks. “Or a phone call if you’re feeling traditional. Hell, send a fucking postcard. No need to physically drop in. I’m sure Haley will contact you when she is ready.”

Bumper narrows his eyes at J.C., his brows casting shadows halfway down his cheeks. “Are you three her bodyguards or something?”

I open my mouth to speak, but Noah steps forward before I can. “Only if necessary.”

J.C. nods in agreement. “Is it necessary, Bumper?”

For the first time, I notice Bumper’s friends don’t look as tough as they first appeared. They are big guys, but their muscles are the kind honed with protein powder and trips to the gym. Like so many Hell Prince enforcers before them, they are strong but unskilled.

Now, I’m positive we could take them in a hand-to-hand fight. Hell, J.C. and Noah might even be able to take them on long enough for me to get to the truck and get my gun.

Bumper seems to come to the same conclusion because he takes a step back and holds up his hands, smirking cockily even as he surrenders.

“Hey, there’s no need to get physical. I just want what I’m owed.” He leans around the three of us again, searching for Haley. “Come on, Haley Bear. Don’t make this hard. You had to know I was coming for you eventually.”

Did she? Is that why she wanted me to help train her?

Was Haley expecting Bumper to show up at any moment and … what? Attack her? Kidnap her? Did she think she’d have to fight him off?

I push the questions aside and wrinkle my nose in disgust. “Haley Bear?”

Bumper smirks and shrugs his shoulders. “I’m not one for nicknames, but Haley always liked it.”

I snort. “I highly doubt that.”

“Are you the guy who knows what she likes now?” Bumper tips his head to the side, studying me. “Enjoy fucking the gold digger while you can, but be smarter than me. Pull out and run before she drains you dry.”

J.C. barks out a laugh and claps his hands slowly. “Holy fuck. Those were amazing double-entendres. Really well done. I loved how you said one thing, but meant another. Clever stuff. Your English teachers must’ve loved you.”

Noah rolls his eyes and waves a hand at the bikers. “Hop on your hogs and drive away. You aren’t getting anything tonight.”

Bumper turns to him, eyes narrowed. “I think that is for me to decide. We came here to take back what is ours and you and your friends can’t—”

Before he can finish, Noah reaches into his waistband and pulls out a gun I didn’t know he had hidden there.

Clearly, the Hell Princes are surprised, too, because they all stumble back in unison, almost like the move was choreographed.

“I can do whatever I want,” Noah says, slowly taking a step towards them. “And I’d suggest you get on your bike and leave before I do something I’ve always wanted to do.”

One by one, Noah aims the gun at the five guys and mimes pulling the trigger, making tinyka-pownoises under his breath.

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