Page 116 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

I want to text her, but I’m resisting the urge. Anyways, my thoughts are jumbled from the toxic combination of being drunk and fucking whipped.

When J.C. announces the next event—something to do with a slip and slide, alcohol, and, you guessed it, getting naked, the crowd starts to boo.

They’re ready for something bigger.

J.C. drops the blowhorn and runs over to me. His clothes are still damp from having a bucket of champagne poured on him, but he’s hit his stride now.

He’s earned the adoration of the crowd, and he is not about to lose it by denying the people what they want.

“Your fans want you,” I say, tipping my head towards the large living room. The ceilings are vaulted, but the room still feels too small with so many aimless drunk people shoved inside. “What are you doing over here?”

“I think we’re going to introduce,” J.C. leans in, places a hand next to his mouth, and whispers, “The Sacrifice.”

“Great. Go for it.”

He seems nervous and vaguely surprised. “I know we already talked about it, but I just wanted to double check you were fine with this. You weren’t as much a part of the application process as I wanted, so—”

I clap J.C. on the shoulders and shake him. “Bro. It’s fine. Go master these ceremonies.”

J.C. visibly brightens, hitches up his damp jeans, which are sagging low on his hips, and jogs back into the middle of the room.

There’s a shuffle as he gets things ready, and I silently pray he hurries. This crowd will eat him alive if he doesn’t deliver.

But in the middle of all of it, my attention is drawn to the far corner of the room.

Penny.

I don’t know when she came in or how long she has been there, but she’s standing between Anika and Jennifer, a drink in her hand.

And she’s watching me. Has been for a while, it seems, because it takes her a second to realize I’m looking back at her and react.

She looks away for a second, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before she looks back and smiles, lifting two fingers in a wave.

She’s in a pair of tight jeans with an oversized cropped sweater that reveals a thin strip of her stomach. It’s understated compared to her normal attire. Especially since her hair is pulled back in a thick ponytail and, even from across the room, I can tell she doesn’t have much makeup on.

She looks different. Still radiantly beautiful, but different.

I’m cutting my way through the crowd, moving towards her before I consciously make the choice.

When she realizes I’m moving towards her, Penny says something to her friends and then tips her head towards the back door, gesturing for me to follow her.

I change course and meet her outside.

“Hey.” The word feels like a well-deserved exhale. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Penny’s green eyes narrow in surprise. “Are you drunk?”

“Oh my God. Would everyone stop asking me that? I can be pleasant.”

She laughs so hard she almost snorts. “No, you really can’t.”

God, her laugh.Her.

Everyone is inside waiting for J.C.’s announcement, so we’re alone on the deck, and I decide to make good use of it.

I haven’t seen her for a week. I’ve had six long days to consider how I want to rectify my feelings for her now with my plot for revenge, and it was an easy choice.

One made even simpler by the sight of her standing in front of me.

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